Fifth possible site emerges for Adelaide Crows’ new headquarters as Thebarton Oval talks continue

The Adelaide Crows could use plans created for the Aquatic Centre for new headquarters at Thebarton Oval – but a fifth, mystery site is emerging.

THE Adelaide Crows want to use plans developed for its failed $60m headquarters bid at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre on another site near the city.

Chairman John Olsen has confirmed the club is holding negotiations over a fifth possible location while continuing to investigate using Thebarton Oval as its new home.

Mr Olsen would not disclose details of the latest site being examined, because talks involve “multiple parties.”

“I prefer not to say where it is as a number of discussions are happening,” he said.

The former SANFL president updated Crows members about the search for a city site during a club function before last Friday night’s game against the Gold Coast Suns at Adelaide Oval.

This included briefing them about ongoing discussions with West Torrens Council about building a new facility at Thebarton Oval, where the designs for the aquatic centre would be used.

Mr Olsen spoke to West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon about the project when he hosted him at Adelaide Oval last month for the start of the AFL season.

Contacted for comment, Mr Olsen said there was “a way to go with both sites” being investigated the Crows.

Mr Olsen said the club wanted to transfer the design work done for the Adelaide Aquatic Centre on to a new site.

Artist impression for Adelaide Crows’ proposed headquarters at the Aquatic Centre, which it could instead build at Thebarton Oval.

Another artist impression of the Crows’ proposed – and rejected – Aquatic Centre development.

“A lot of that work that was done for North Adelaide has been modified for a different site,” he said.

Mr Olsen said it was “well known” the Crows had been in discussions with West Torrens Council “for a considerable time”.

“Thebarton Oval is a work in progress,” he said. “The other site also is a serious contender. We’re working through the two options.

“There are a number of impediments and we need to go through a number if steps before anything is put in place. These things take time.”

Consultants had prepared a list of several potential sites, including two locations in the parklands, before Mr Olsen unsuccessfully attempted two months ago to meet privately with Adelaide City Council’s elected members.

The 11 councillors subsequently voted unanimously to refuse to grant permission for the Crows to build within the parklands.

Mr Olsen had wanted to obtain their support for the club to use a former SA Water depot on the corner of James Langdon Drive and Port Road for its administrative headquarters and training facilities for the club’s AFL, AFLW and SANFL teams.

The approach followed a decision last year to abandon plans to redevelop the ageing aquatic centre at North Adelaide because of the financial impact of the pandemic and strong opposition from several councillors, some pool users and local residents.

Mr Olsen said the club since had ruled out any move to build within the parklands, opting instead to focus on Thebarton Oval and the other site identified by its consultants.

“There have been a number of sites we have been looking at, around half a dozen or so,” he said.

“We are working our way through the key points of what we need in the facility we want to build.

“There are a number of criteria which have to be met.”

Thebarton Oval is one of the sites being considered by the Adelaide Crows for a new home. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Olsen said any new facility had to include opportunities for the club to generate revenue such as commercial leases, have hospitality areas for members, feature a museum and be close to public transport.

It also required indoor and outdoor training facilities, a pool, gymnasium and sports medicine facilities, which helped “retain players”.

Speculation has focused on several possible sites since the Crows abandoned attempts to build in the parklands. They have included the Wayville Showgrounds, former Le Cornu site on Anzac Highway at Forestville, the closed Coca Cola-Amatil factory at Thebarton and the nearby West End brewery.

Mr Olsen said while a federal grant of $15m towards new club headquarters was not contingent on any deadline, he wanted to have a location chosen by the end of June.

“We are keeping the Federal Government updated with what we are doing,” he said.

“They are fully aware of what we are doing.”

Mr Olsen said the Crows had to “make sure we get this absolutely right for the club, our players and our members”.

Originally published as Fifth possible site emerges for Adelaide Crows’ new headquarters as Thebarton Oval talks continue