Port Adelaide pushing to receive government funding to begin revamp of Alberton Oval precinct

Revelations Port was planning a redevelopment at Alberton Oval had some pundits wondering about the club’s multi-million-dollar debt. The mayor has weighed in.

Port Adelaide has unveiled plans for its revamp of Alberton.

Port Adelaide’s debt should not stop the club from getting funding for its plans to redevelop Alberton Oval, according to a leading local government official.

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said her council would join the push for the Federal Government to fund Power’s proposed redevelopment.

The Power is one of only a handful of AFL clubs that have not received government cash in the past five years to upgrade facilities.

Power chairman David Koch told The Advertiser the club was “shovel ready” to start a $18m-$20m redevelopment of the Alberton Oval precinct — providing it gets “even-handedness” in treatment from the Federal Government.

Watch every match of the 2021 AAMI Community Series LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

Port Adelaide has unveiled plans for its revamp of Alberton.

The revised plans includes the upgrading of the Williams Family Stand for AFLW at Alberton Oval, expanding the high-performance facilities in the Allan Scott Headquarters and creating two basketball courts for use by West Adelaide Bearcats’ junior teams.

There will also be a FIFA-standard soccer pitch that will be used as an additional training space for Power players and by the North West Junior Association after hours.

After The Advertiser published the story online, social media comments centred around Port Adelaide’s $12 million debt — increased from $7 million because of COVID-19 — and questioned how the club could pursue the redevelopment.

Boan said this shouldn’t affect the Power’s ability to get government funding for a project she said would be of huge benefit to the community.

A design of the Alberton Recreation Centre.

“I think if you look across the board there has been a huge level of funding across the majority of AFL clubs,” she said.

“I would be really disappointed if they (the Power) didn’t get any funding, it’s about time the club are put on that level after their successful year.

“We are really excited about the plans and how they are going to benefit the community, not just the football club.”

Port Adelaide record games holder Kane Cornes raged at the lack of funding so far for the Power, especially when rivals Adelaide have $15 million for a hunt for a new home — but no site locked in.

“Port Adelaide are ready to go. They want to start this by June and they’re waiting for the Federal Government to hand out their funding,” he said on SEN SA.

“It makes absolutely no sense. The club is really frustrated by it. They won’t say this publicly of course because they’re just trying to do their best and make sure it complies, but they are ready to go.

What the Allan Scott high performance centre would look like.

“It’s going to be great for the heartland down there at Alberton, yet they’re waiting for the federal government and their funding where nearly every other club in the AFL has had funding for their sites.

“It doesn’t make any sense.”

Boan said the Port Adelaide Enfield Council, who has unanimously backed the plans, would do their bit to help the club receive the funding.

“We are absolutely advocating for support for the redevelopment,” she said.

The Alberton Oval redevelopment also includes the renovations of the Port Club, including a new club museum and shop and taking the Bob McLean sports bar and bistro upstairs to overlook Alberton Oval.

Port were planning for a Centre for Aboriginal Excellence and Leadership at Alberton but have dropped that plan and given back $4 million in funding.

Concept art of Port Adelaide's proposed redevelopment of Alberton Oval.

POWER REVEALS PLANS FOR ALBERTON REVAMP

A “shovel ready” Port Adelaide is hopeful of starting a big redevelopment of its Alberton Oval precinct in June, providing the club gets an “even-handed” treatment from the Federal Government, chairman David Koch says.

As part of its ‘Chasing Greatness’ strategic plan – headlined by winning three premierships in the next five years – the Power have also revealed plans to completely revamp its base.

Now costing between $18 million and $20 million, the proposal includes upgrading the change rooms in the Williams Family Stand for AFLW at Alberton Oval; expanding the high-performance facilities in the Allan Scott Headquarters for the men’s, women’s and SANFL team; creating two basketball courts for the West Adelaide Bearcats to use for their junior teams; and a FIFA standard soccer pitch that will be used as an additional training space for Power players, but also by the North West Junior Soccer Association after hours.

This is in addition to the renovations of the Port Club, including a new club museum and shop, and taking the Bob McLean sports bar and bistro upstairs to overlook Alberton Oval.

Koch told The Advertiser it was about making sure Alberton Oval not only remained as the spiritual home of Port Adelaide, but as a key part of the western suburbs of Adelaide and as a gateway to the Port as well.

“If you look at great sports organisations around the world, it is those clubs and organisations that engage a community that builds their culture and DNA,” he said.

“I think for us, the western suburbs of Adelaide and in particular the Port area has always been a working class area, the club has played a really important role in the community for 150 years and it is just as important today.”

The club hopes to have the redevelopment done in time for a possible 2023 entry into the AFLW competition, and even for Alberton to be used as a training base by female national soccer teams ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Charlie Dixon trains with his Port Adelaide teammates at Alberton. Picture: Keryn Stevens

But this is reliant on the club getting Federal and State Government funding for the project.

An analysis of funding for facilities for AFL clubs from Federal and State Governments over the last five years by The Advertiser reveals the Power are the only club in the league not to receive grant support for either a new facility or upgrades.

This is despite the club having council approval for the redevelopment of Alberton, and as fierce rival Adelaide – which has attained $15 million of funding towards a new home – try one final bid to move into the parklands.

Port did have $4 million for a Centre for Aboriginal Excellence and Leadership at Alberton, but has given that money back after changing its plan for the precinct.

A vision of the Power’s upgraded training facility.

Koch said he was hopeful the club would get funding from the Federal Government, while the Office of Recreation and Sport could come in at a state level, with the club “shovel ready”.

“We are in fruitful discussions with the Federal Government to be treated with an even-handedness that they have supported other AFL clubs,” he said.

“What we are requesting is no different to how they have supported 14 other AFL clubs in redeveloping their facilities.

“We aren’t asking for anything more or anything less, but we do have approvals, we do have plans, we are shovel ready to go in June, and that will help with jobs after the pandemic.”