Surge in South Australian support for rival Adelaide multipurpose arenas

For the first time, a majority of South Australians support a new indoor stadium in Adelaide’s Riverbank but need to decide between rival proposals — either a $250m arena on Memorial Drive or a $700m city railyard bid. Which would you get behind?

• Former Adelaide Lord Mayor backs railyards site for proposed arena
• Memorial Drive Stadium to get $10m upgrade, roof

Majority support for a new indoor stadium in Adelaide’s Riverbank precinct has been revealed by an Advertiser survey, amid rival proposals at Memorial Drv and the city railyards estimated to cost $250 million and $700 million respectively.

In a reversal of public opinion, the Advertiser — YouGov Galaxy survey finds 56 per cent support for a roofed, multipurpose arena on the River Torrens banks.

Near-identical levels of opposition to a new stadium in the Adelaide Oval precinct were revealed in the past two annual Sunday Mail Your Say SA surveys, which recorded 55.6 per cent and 54.5 per cent against the idea.

Rival plans for a multi-use arena — housing concerts, events, tennis, basketball and netball — have been prepared by both Tennis SA, for Memorial Drv, and the Adelaide Venue Management Corporation (AVMC), for the CBD railyards.

A preferred stadium plan is expected to be nominated, ahead of a potential Commonwealth Games feasibility study due in August, in a State Sporting Infrastructure Plan expected next month or early June.

An artist's impression of the proposed multipurpose Adelaide Arena. Source: The Advertiser

The Memorial Drive Redevelopment proposal.

The Advertiser has been told the construction cost of the Memorial Drv option, at a seating capacity of about 15,000 people, has been estimated at $250 million.

The railyards option is put at $700 million, because it has a greater capacity and a retractable grass soccer pitch.

It is understood this option involves a substantial platform being built over the rail lines, also for a major commercial development, including a hotel, capitalising on the nearby Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Both venues would rely on selling the Adelaide Entertainment Centre at Hindmarsh, which The Advertiser has been told might gain about $30 million to defray an arena’s cost.

A new arena would rely on events, conventions and concerts, some of which now bypass Adelaide, for the substantial part of its revenue.

It is estimated the increased economic activity for the state as a result of a multipurpose stadium might be between $100 million and $200 million.

The Advertiser last September revealed a business case was being prepared by the AVMC, which operates the Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre and Hindmarsh Stadium.

AVMC chairman Bill Spurr, also a member of Premier Steven Marshall’s six-person Economic Advisory Council, declined to comment.

State Liberal Party president and Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority deputy chairman John Olsen has backed the Memorial Drv option, saying the capital cost would be reduced by using the security, food, beverage, kitchens and other facilities already built at the revamped Adelaide Oval, as part of a $535 million, publicly funded upgrade opened in 2014.

The YouGov Galaxy online survey of a representative sample of voters comprised 2225 respondents nationally, of which 503 South Australians answered the question about a multipurpose arena.

A State Government spokesman highlighted the $10 million announced in February for a new Memorial Drv roof, which has resulted in a new week-long international tennis event from next year.

He said the Sporting Infrastructure Plan would “include longer-term considerations of a new stadium, and possible locations, in comparison, or conjunction, with resources spread out over grassroots clubs”.

An Opposition spokesman said a Riverbank arena had merit and was worth exploring.

“However, the Marshall Liberal Government appears to have made up its mind by spending $10 million on a roof at the existing Memorial Drv,” he said.