AFL 2024: Adelaide’s move to Thebarton Oval is one step closer after SANFL agreement

The Crows are on track to begin construction on a new home base at Thebarton Oval later this year, after the club cleared a huge SANFL hurdle on Monday.

Adelaide has cleared one of its final hurdles to move its headquarters to Thebarton Oval, with the SANFL to vacate its lease at the ground.

The Crows announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with the SANFL, complementing its arrangement with the West Torrens Council that gives the club rights to the Thebarton Oval precinct for a 42-year tenure for its $100 million plans to move from West Lakes.

Adelaide also has an option for an additional 42-years.

It means the Crows are on track to begin construction work at Thebarton Oval towards the end of this year.

Crows chairman John Olsen. Picture: Tom Huntley

Crows chairman John Olsen said it was a big milestone in the club realising its dreams.

“We have cleared one of the last hurdles in what has been a long and complex series of negotiations, and we move forward with even more positive momentum,” Olsen said.

“Our players, coaches, staff, corporate partners, members and supporters, as well as the broader community, should be excited by what lies ahead.”

Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the public should be excited about the Crows plans for Thebarton Oval.

“I congratulate the Adelaide Football Club, and in particular John Olsen and Tim Silvers, on the constructive and accommodating way they have approached this significant project,” he said.

“The Crows have shown they will be good neighbours for the Thebarton community and I welcome them to the neighbourhood.”

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

West Torrens Council Mayor Michael Coxon said it was further enhance Thebarton Oval’s status as an iconic part of South Australia’s football history.

“We are looking forward to the oval finally being accessible for community use and to injecting life into our city,” he said.

As part of the SANFL vacating its lease, the state league governing body will move its state junior, First Nations and multicultural programs to Football Park – where the Crows are now based.

The league’s $27m plans include a new $22.6m administration and training centre on private land adjoining the Mosaic Hotel on Turner Drive at West Lakes.

The SANFL will continue to have access to Thebarton Oval for its talent programs until the end of September.

Chief executive Darren Chandler said it hoped to start building works at West Lakes before the end of this year.

“We can now look forward to seeing this exciting project for our best male and female athletes, and for the future of football in South Australia, finally come to life over the next 18 months,” he said.