Adelaide Crows news: In-principle deal reached with SANFL for Thebarton Oval move

Adelaide and the SANFL have come to an agreement over the Thebarton Oval lease in a crucial step to realising the Crows’ new home base.

Adelaide and the SANFL have reached an in-principle agreement over relinquishing Thebarton Oval’s lease, paving the way for public feedback about the Crows’ proposed relocation.

Both parties have been wanting a win-win during talks, centred on the state league handing its lease off West Torrens Council to the Crows for a significant sum.

News Corp reported last month that the SANFL had reduced its asking price from $11m to $8.5m.

Adelaide identified Thebarton three weeks ago as its preferred site to establish a new $80m headquarters, train and play AFLW games.

The club’s proposed move hit the next phase on Thursday night when West Torrens put the commercial lease terms to community consultation at a special general meeting.

Adelaide Crows player Brooke Tonon with her captain Chelsea Randall at Thebarton Oval. Picture: Simon Cross

It is a month-long feedback process and the first of two stages.

The second would focus on the specifics of the Crows’ building plans.

Adelaide, which is seeking a 42-year lease, is hopeful of starting construction in the third quarter of 2023 and moving into the ground in 2025.

Works will begin with the realignment of the main oval so it is north-to-south.

The Crows’ three teams would train at the venue, which would have two grounds – one the size of Adelaide Oval, the other mimicking the MCG.

Its AFLW side would play on the main ground.

The Crows have left open the option of creating a licensed premises, such as a bar, and have more than enough space to create one.

There would be about 300 car parks on site – at least 120 undercroft – not including matchday parking that would be available on the second oval, where Kings Reserve is now.

Adelaide would take responsibility for maintaining the grounds.

Adelaide Crows artist impressions of their proposed new base at Thebarton Oval. Picture: City Collective

West Torrens believed the Crows nesting at Thebarton would bring significant positives for local residents, including $45m of infrastructure specifically for community use, generating $9.35m in rent and council rates, let alone the spin-off for businesses.

“Council last night considered the proposal and determined that it was worthy to put out to public consultation to gather the feedback from our community prior to council making a decision on the proposal itself,” Mayor Michael Coxon said.

“We’re just trying to give the community as much information as possible so they can make an assessment on what they believe this proposal will bring.”

It is understood the SANFL is still considering a few options, including returning to Football Park in an essential ground swap with Adelaide.

The SANFL said it remained in negotiations over a final agreement with the relevant parties and was hopeful of a positive outcome.

There is a clause that prevents the SANFL from handing over its lease without Adelaide Footy League – the ground’s major tenant until 2019 – agreeing.

Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan told News Corp “at least two of the three football parties with an interest in this can sleep at night”.

“We’re really pleased for the AFC and SANFL to have reached their heads of agreement,” Kernahan said.

“To be perfectly frank, until now we had serious misgivings as to whether this would materialise.

“One minute it’s Brompton then post-election the AFC were exploring other options but today Thebarton is their priority.

“The saying boy cried wolf comes to mind.”

Adelaide, based at West Lakes since its inception in 1990, chose Thebarton over the former Brompton Gasworks.

Brompton was on the table because the state government was reviewing the tender process that resulted in Melbourne-based developer MAB Corporation being chosen ahead of Adelaide in January.