Premier Steven Marshall must move heaven and Earth to make Adelaide Crows’ North Adelaide move a reality
Adelaide Football Club’s relocation to the North Adelaide Aquatic Centre must happen, and it’s now up to Premier Steven Marshall to make sure it does, writes Graham Cornes.
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It was always going to get ugly.
The Crows proposed redevelopment of the Adelaide Aquatic Centre at North Adelaide was controversial from the moment it was mooted.
Some people simply do not like change and will resist it vigorously, albeit blindly.
Others have a messianic passion for protecting our unique parklands.
Fair enough – those parklands are unique to Adelaide and if we let the developers run riot Adelaide will become another urban monstrosity.
However, there comes a time when common sense must prevail and there is a possible solution to all this angst and vehemence that was so evident at this week’s public meeting. The government can move to have a proposed development or land use declared a major development if it is of state, economic, social or environmental significance.
It won’t silence critical opposition, but it will bypass the inevitable prevarication of the Adelaide City Council, the hostility of the North Adelaide residents and the interference of the Adelaide Parklands Preservation Association.
There is no bigger sporting or social organisation in the state than the Adelaide Football Club and it is worthy of government support on this issue.
Whether you follow the Crows or not, the Adelaide Football Club is, and always has been, the team for all South Australians and the morale of the state rises and falls with its fortunes.
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Premier Steven Marshall must step in and declare his support for the development.
To date, he has been remarkably silent.
Where do you stand on this issue, Mr Marshall?
Politicians love being at the centre of any good new stories.
Who can’t recall the triumphant photos of Kevin Foley and Mike Rann when the Adelaide Oval redevelopment was ordained?
The success of that project has long since silenced the critics who so vehemently opposed it back in the day.
So it will be with this proposed development.
Is the Premier scared of the impact his support for the project will have on the fortunes of the local state member, Rachel Sanderson?
Both of them will eventually have to declare their stance on the proposed development.
And if they are to oppose it, what is their solution to rebuilding the relic that currently exists on that site?
Despite the vitriol and clamour from its opponents, the weight of public opinion seems to be with the Adelaide Football Club on this matter.
Every public opinion poll run on the issue has revealed a two-thirds majority in favour of it.
The silent majority will of course be howled down by aggressive, vocal opponents, however we live in a society where belligerent overreactions are to be expected.
That is the dilemma of the politicians.
Mr Marshall and Ms Sanderson will realise that a declaration of their support, or otherwise, will upset some sections of the electorate.
They just can’t work out which section.
Interestingly, a significant percentage of the opposition to the proposal comes from Crows supporters who are demanding fully-licenced clubrooms where they can meet, wine and dine, either after a game or during the week.
Interwoven with the opposition to the development is much mischievous misinformation.
The common misconception is that the Crows will fence off the parklands for their exclusive use; that they will commandeer the swimming pool for their rehab sessions, that is a merciless “corporation” driven only by profit and the recreational and club swimmers will be denied access.
None of that is true.
It may technically be a “corporation”, but at its core is a footy club.
By far the strongest argument in favour of the Crows proposal is that it is replacing, renovating and modernising a facility that already exists.
Additionally, in doing so, it will reduce the amount of land already occupied by buildings.
The current Aquatic Centre was opened in 1969.
It’s falling down and must be renovated.
The ovals that are already there will be beautified and the public will still have full access to run, jump, walk the dog and practice goalkicking, except of course when the Crows are training.
It seems a win for everyone.
Malcolm Blight entered the debate this week on his nightly radio program on 5AA.
“Why do they have to leave West Lakes?,” asked the venerable football sage.
When Malcolm talks football, it is always worth listening.
“It’s a perfectly good facility down there,” he said.
He’s right about the clubrooms and the oval at West Lakes.
They are still great.
However, despite the development of residential and commercial facilities on what used to be the carparks and ovals surrounding the old stadium, it is a depressing, soul-destroying sight for those of us who remember what a great football precinct it used to be.
The stadium is now long gone and at the moment it resembles nothing more than a construction site.
The contrast of a beautifully manicured, lush oval in the middle of a dusty wasteland is heartbreakingly stark.
Port Adelaide has Alberton and the propaganda that accompanies its history.
The Crows have a construction site into which they have to bring new recruits and then attempt to inspire them with the club’s history and future prospects.
No, it’s time to move.
All over the country AFL teams are developing new, exciting clubrooms and training facilities that alleviate the responsibilities of both state and local government and benefit, not only the clubs, but the broader communities.
The proposed Crows development at North Adelaide will achieve all of those objectives.
Over to you, Mr Premier.
Originally published as Premier Steven Marshall must move heaven and Earth to make Adelaide Crows’ North Adelaide move a reality