Port Adelaide release concept images of new stage that includes grandstand, bowling club, AFLW facilities and increased capacity

A third heritage-inspired grandstand, new changerooms for AFLW players, are just some of the key features of proposed plans for the next stage of the Alberton Oval redevelopment. SEE THE PICTURES HERE.

Port Adelaide has released renders of the next stage of the redevelopment at Alberton Oval, which includes a new Port Adelaide Bowling Club. Picture: Supplied/Brown Falconer

A third heritage-inspired grandstand, new facilities for AFLW players, education rooms and a bowling club are key features of proposed plans for the next stage of the Alberton Oval redevelopment.

Port Adelaide Football Club have released concept images of the plans, which would increase seated capacity back up to 6000 and overall capacity to more than 10,000 for AFLW, SANFL and AFL pre-season games.

The Power has completed three redevelopment stages of its home base over the past three years, the latest being a $25m high-performance centre unveiled in February.

Club chief executive Matthew Richardson said this latest stage would accommodate expansion of the women’s football program. The plans include new changerooms, wet areas and office spaces for the AFLW team on the same side of the oval as the AFL changerooms.

“There’s no doubt that, as the game continues to grow for young girls and women, the competition will continue to expand and making sure that we’re providing equal facilities for our male and female players is absolutely really important,” he said.

Another important aspect of the plans is maximising community use of the facilities.

“Alberton Oval provides great access to the community,” Mr Richardson said.

Port Adelaide has released renders of the next stage of the redevelopment at Alberton Oval. Picture: Supplied/Brown Falconer

“We’re a professional sports competition, our athletes aren’t here all the time ... so we want to make sure that as we continue to evolve Alberton Oval, we also continue to provide great facilities that the community also have access to.”

As part of that, a new Port Adelaide Bowling Club will be included in the plans, featuring a state-of-the-art synthetic bowling green and new clubrooms.

Club president Frank Merola the plans would ensure the club’s future at Alberton Oval, where it has been based since its 1903 establishment.

Port Adelaide has released renders of the next stage of the redevelopment at Alberton Oval. Picture: Supplied/Brown Falconer

“We are excited and can’t wait to see this come to fruition, securing our legacy for another 100 years and allowing our club to grow our community impact,” he said.

The grandstand building will also include a STEM learning centre, education rooms for community programs and the Port Adelaide Academy of Sport, as well as a function space.

Mr Richardson said it was estimated that the next stage of the redevelopment would cost about another $30, on top of the $30m that has been spent so far on the transformation.

“We’re right at the start of the process. We’ve introduced the plans to council,” he said.

“We’re in (funding) conversations with a number of agencies at the moment.”

Previous stages of Alberton Oval’s transformation, which began in 2021, included a new social club, museum, improved ground lighting, a scoreboard, an upgrade of the Fos Williams Family stand to create a home for the Power’s AFLW side and removal of concrete mounds supporters watched games from on the eastern side.

Originally published as Port Adelaide release concept images of new stage that includes grandstand, bowling club, AFLW facilities and increased capacity