AFL: Adelaide Crows’ push to make Thebarton Oval home hits another speed bump after Charles Sturt Council knocks back SANFL

Adelaide’s push to make Thebarton Oval its new home has hit another snag because of a different council’s decision relating to the Crows’ existing base, Football Park.

Adelaide’s quest to make Thebarton Oval its new home has hit another speed bump after a knockback of the SANFL’s proposed return to Football Park.

Charles Sturt Council voted 9-3 on Monday night against awarding a licence to the state league amid concerns about consultation and the amount of open space.

It adds uncertainty to the Crows’ move from West Lakes because they require Thebarton’s existing lease holder, the SANFL, to find a new base.

Adelaide, which had called Football Park home since 1991, received a 42-year lease from West Torrens Council in December to establish $100m training and administrative headquarters at Thebarton.

The SANFL wants to return to West Lakes to use the ground for state junior, First Nations and multicultural programs.

If granted a licence, the league planned to build a new $22.6m administration and training centre on privately held land adjoining the Mosaic Hotel as part of a $27m redevelopment of the precinct.

The SANFL will push to rejuvenate the former Football Park site in a bid to relocate. Picture: City of Charles Sturt

Monday night’s decision has the potential to delay further Charles Sturt discussions about the licence.

Adelaide is also awaiting hearing next month with a State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP), which will determine the fate of the club’s $100m redevelopment plans.

Charles Sturt has requested to meet with Planning Minister Nick Champion to explore options to increase open space around Football Park through two land parcels owned by developer Commercial and General.

Council chief executive Paul Sutton said a report on the meeting’s outcomes would be brought back at the earliest opportunity.

“This report will include an update on discussions with the government and potential options for council to consider and council’s approach to the proposed SANFL licencing proposal,” Sutton said.

“Further consultation will be required to put in effect a community land management plan in vesting of the oval area to council and to further explore the licensing proposal for the oval area.”

Crows players and officials alongside Premier Peter Malinauskas at a Thebarton funding announcement last year. Picture: Keryn Stevens

SANFL chief executive Darren Chandler said his organisation would continue to work with Charles Sturt to find the best outcome for both the local community and state league, “ensuring we can secure a long-term non-exclusive licence to use Football Park for our under-age programs”.

“As we have maintained right from the very beginning, we will not surrender our lease at Thebarton Oval until we have secured an alternative location to develop a new home for our male and female football pathway programs,” Chandler said.

The Crows have faced a range of obstacles since choosing Thebarton as their preferred new base in August 2022, including community backlash.

Adelaide hoped to move into the precinct by mid-2026.

The club said: “We are obviously aware of the situation and remain optimistic the matter will be resolved soon”.

Originally published as AFL: Adelaide Crows’ push to make Thebarton Oval home hits another speed bump after Charles Sturt Council knocks back SANFL