AFL 2022: Port Adelaide’s $30m Alberton Oval redevelopment reaches next phase as demolition begins

Weeks out from the start of the men’s pre-season, Alberton Oval’s transformation is taking shape. Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson opens up on the massive project.

Port Adelaide’s redevelopment of Alberton Oval has entered its next phase as the upgrade of its training and administrative centre begins.

A construction crew demolished part of the Allan Scott Power Headquarters on Monday, opening space for a new basketball stadium on the ground’s eastern side.

It is the latest step in a $30m transformation of the oval that has also included the creation of a training hub for the club’s AFLW team and a significant makeover inside the Bob Quinn Stand, featuring a museum, new dining area and bar, viewing deck and a trophy cabinet made from century-old Port River wharf pylons displaying the club’s 37 premiership cups.

Work has already begun on the eastern side to remove concrete mounds and car parks to fit a soccer pitch.

An excavator begins the demolition of Port Adelaide’s Alberton Oval’s training headquarters. Picture: Emma Brasier

The remainder of the headquarters will be upgraded to include a new pool and change rooms, as well as a bigger gym.

Port Adelaide is also improving its lights so it can host AFLW night matches from 2023.

The redevelopment is expected to be completed in August next year so it will be ready for the next women’s season.

Some local residents had opposed the work on the eastern side of the oval, citing concerns about increased traffic, the loss of trees and community land, but Port Adelaide Enfield Council gave it the green light last November.

Power chief executive Matthew Richardson told News Corp the club needed to upgrade its home base to stay ahead of the “arms race” across the AFL.

“It is a competitive advantage … and you’ve got to be at the front of that,” Richardson said.

“A lot of clubs have got two ovals, we don’t need two, but we need a second training space which is what the (soccer pitch) becomes.

“For $30m, we’ll get an amazing outcome and we’ve been able to maintain the soul and heritage of the place.”

Richardson said the Power had been looking at upgrading Alberton, the club’s home since 1880, for several years before finalising plans during Covid.

What the Alberton Oval precinct will look like. Picture: Port Adelaide Football Club

Funding included $15m from the federal government, $3m from the office of recreation and sport, close to $5m from the AFL, plus the club and its benefactors raised nearly $5m.

As the Power’s training and administrative headquarters gets upgraded, the men’s team will use the women’s hub in the Fos Williams Family Stand over summer.

Administration staff are working downstairs in the social club until April, while the football department will be in new AFL-compliant coaches and media boxes.

Richardson said some community backlash stemmed from concerns about closing places off but the Power was trying to open the precinct to increase access.

West Adelaide Bearcats will run junior teams from the two-court basketball stadium, where the Power can train indoors.

North West Junior Soccer Association will use the pitch, which Port Adelaide players will utilise for injury management.

The premiership trophy cabinet. Picture Emma Brasier

The public can access the redeveloped green space for social activities, such as dog walking, outside of Port Adelaide’s training schedule.

“I was always really confident that once it’s done and they see what we’ve created, it’ll be a space everyone can enjoy and share … and have dramatically improved for everyone,” Richardson said.

“We’ve had to set up the football club and its facilities for the next 50 years.”

Richardson said a key focus of the upgrade was on “what can we create that no one can compete with that’s Port Adelaide Football Club — it’s unique”.

“So that’s why … we’ve got our trophy cabinet (at the Queen St entrance), which goes ‘bang, wow, this is what this place is about’,” he said.

“We exist to win premierships and you walk in and there they are.”

The upgraded women’s change rooms. Picture: Emma Brasier

Richardson hoped to create a carnival atmosphere at home AFLW matches by having marquees on the soccer pitch, “a bit like polo in the park, picnic races … but with kids activities” where people could view the game.

“One of the things I think is important with AFLW is you can’t just roll in and replicate what you do for the men’s competition,” he said.

Port Adelaide’s vision for behind the northern goals, connecting its headquarters to the Bob Quinn Stand, is to establish a “legends walk”, which may include statues honouring club greats with updated pavers pledged by supporters.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is I sit here and watch people come in, stand on the deck and say ‘I used to come here with my dad’,” Richardson said.

“The place has meaning.

“You don’t worry about what other (AFL) clubs do, you’ve just got to do what’s best for us and this is best for us because this is our home.”

Originally published as AFL 2022: Port Adelaide’s $30m Alberton Oval redevelopment reaches next phase as demolition begins