SANFL’s $27m push to return to Football Park in West Lakes

The Crows’ Thebarton HQ bid could mean a massive home ground shake-up for the state’s footy league. See the proposal.

The SANFL has launched a $27m push to return to Football Park if the Crows’ relocation bid is successful, after negotiations to share the Thebarton site with the AFL side fell through.

According to Charles Sturt council documents, the SANFL is seeking a 21+21 year non-exclusive licence to use Football Park as its new home if Adelaide moves to Thebarton.

The former AAMI Stadium site, which currently houses the Adelaide Football Club’s headquarters, is owned by the SANFL but licenced to the Crows until 2048.

The venue was built by the SANFL in 1973 and opened in 1974, serving as the home ground for SA’s AFL clubs until games were relocated to Adelaide Oval in 2014.

In a letter to council CEO Paul Sutton, SANFL chief executive Darren Chandler said the league was informally approached by the Crows in October 2020 about the possibility of co-locating at Thebarton Oval.

The SANFL will push to rejuvenate the former Football Park site in a bid to relocate its HQ. Picture: City of Charles Sturt

Crows CEO Tim Silvers at the West Lakes site, that is currently home to the Crows HQ. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

However, in early 2022, West Torrens council resolved not to renew the SANFL’s lease at the oval to prioritise the Crows’ move.

“Whilst the change in plans has been extremely disruptive to our business, we feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to return to West Lakes once again,” Mr Chandler said.

The SANFL currently holds the lease for use of Thebarton Oval for its programs until 2031, but may be forced to vacate as early as 2026 if the Crows’ planned HQ relocation is successful.

Under the league’s proposal, the West Lakes grounds would be available for community use when not required by the SANFL – similar to the Crows’ current agreement.

Mr Chandler said the league’s vision for the site was to “increase public amenity” and make the oval space “highly accessible for community use”.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler at the now-demolished Football Park.

Documents show the SANFL’s proposed use for the oval is an average 16.5 hours per week, compared to 23 hours per week currently used by the Crows for its AFL, SANFL and AFLW sides.

If the licence is granted, the SANFL plans to build a new $22.6m administration and high-performance training facility on privately held land adjoining the Mosaic Hotel.

The proposed venue would include community-use change rooms available for public access.

It has also proposed a $3m investment into developing a carpark and $1m into a new perimeter fence, scoreboard, lighting and goalpost relocation for the oval.

Mr Chandler said the new SANFL talent facility would provide ongoing local jobs and increased visitation to the area, while lighting would allow for winter fitness and dog walking during winter.

“Through the development of welcoming and inclusive public open space, more people will be attracted to the precinct to spend time and contribute to the thriving social fabric of residential, recreational, hospitality and retail offerings,” he said.

The SANFL has proposed a new talent facility adjoining the oval. Picture: City of Charles Sturt

Charles Sturt council has opened the proposal for community consultation, with written submissions accepted until Wednesday, November 22.

If successful, the SANFL hopes to lodge planning applications by December 2023 and commence construction in July 2024, with an expected completion by December 2025.

The move comes as it was revealed 10 trees could jepordise the Crows’ Thebarton HQ pitch, with the club now in talks with government officials about the boundary of its proposed second oval.

But Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis, whose West Torrens electorate includes Thebarton Oval, said he was confident that with negotiations a compromise would be made and the plan would succeed.