A $300 million multipurpose stadium back on agenda next to Adelaide Oval

The Federal Government has put a $300 million multipurpose stadium in the Riverbank precinct firmly on the agenda.

South Australian tennis great John Fitzgerald serves up the start of the Memorial Drive redevelopment with junior players Felicity Ward and Aaliyah Giang. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AAP

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FEDERAL minister Christopher Pyne has given the strongest indication yet a partnership between Liberal Federal and State Governments will deliver a multipurpose stadium next to Adelaide Oval.

Pyne was speaking on Thursday at the launch of the stage one $9.8 million redevelopment of the historic Memorial Drive tennis complex, which will deliver a new showcourt, more match courts and a clay court complex.

That development is funded by the Federal Government and is expected to be finished at the end of the year.

But Pyne quickly moved on to the envisaged stage two — a multipurpose, $300 million stadium for tennis, netball, basketball and concerts — which could give South Australia a world-class venue and again be in the running for major tennis events.

“I describe it as a beginning,” Pyne said ahead of turning a sod for stage one. “It’s the beginning, in my view, of a complete revitalisation of tennis in South Australia.”

Pyne spoke about the importance of the rejuvenation of the riverbank and what a stage two development would mean for basketball and netball.

Artist's impression of plans for Memorial Drive centre court redevelopment.

Artist's impression of Memorial Drive centre court redevelopment.

SA tennis great John Fitzgerald, the former Davis Cup captain and holder of all Grand Slam doubles titles as a player, could not speak more highly of the vision.

“This is exciting,” Fitzgerald said. “I do feel like I’m coming home when I come here to Memorial Drive — it’s played such a huge part of my life.

“But time evolves and you’ve got to move and you’ve got to upgrade the facilities.

“Especially in a sports-mad state like this, where so many great champions have come from.

“It’s integral to us, I think. And it’s great to see so much support from politicians. I think it’s going to be a wonderful project. This will be world-class.

“Look at the Adelaide Oval — it’s magnificent. When I watch the Crows play I feel so proud of it. This should be the same and I think it will be.”

SA Sports Minister Corey Wingard said a stage two development was one of many infrastructure projects to be discussed.

It is understood the State Government would have to put in the bulk of the money towards a multipurpose stadium, but a successful Commonwealth Games bid could change the landscape with more Federal funds being allocated.

“Across the board, South Australian sporting infrastructure has waned after 16 years of state Labor governments,” Wingard said. “We really need to reassess and work out where we need investing and what are the best projects.

“What’s going to be the most beneficial for South Australia long-term.

“We need to get all of those bodies together (tennis, basketball and netball) and come up with a solution that suits everyone.

“We need to do a really good assessment of that.

“What’s the legacy that we’re going to end up with, and what is sport going to look like in 10 or 15 years?”