$70m AAMI Stadium boost

Austadiums • Sunday 17th September 2006

AAMI Stadium will receive a $70 million facelift over the next five years in one of the biggest redevelopments of the arena since it opened in 1974.

A range of player, spectator and corporate facilities are set for improvement under the plan drawn up by SANFL Executive Commissioner Leigh Whicker.

Preliminary talks have also begun with the State Government about building a rail or light rail link to AAMI to improve public access to the stadium, even though Premier Mike Rann said this week building a rail spur to the venue was "not on the Government's agenda".

The redevelopment comes as some South Australian identities privately question AAMI Stadium's future, even though they refuse to air their views publicly.

They believe the only long-term viable option for SA is to build a multi-purpose, state-of-the-art stadium, which could cost about $400 million, close to the CBD.

Mr Whicker acknowledged there were deficiencies at AAMI, but said the $70 million in improvements was aimed at taking the venue to the "next level".

He also agreed AAMI would need to be improved if Adelaide was to host games in the event of soccer's World Cup coming to Australia, potentially in 2018 - a concept backed by Mr Rann.

'"We have been here for 30 years - it's the home of football and more recently the home of the Crows and the Power - and let there be no mistake we'll be here for the next 30 years," Mr Whicker said.

He dismissed calls for a to build a new "superstadium" in South Australia and said the spectator experience at AAMI was the best in Australia.

"We are here to take on board customers comments, our stakeholder comments, we don't fear constructive criticism at all, in fact we welcome it," he said.

"There's no venue in Australia whether it be Subiaco, the Gabba or wherever where thousands of families gather for the event with their picnics, their shelters and their BBQs and the carnival atmosphere.

"There's no venue in Australia that holds 4000 people (such as at the Crows shed) that can rub shoulders with their heroes after a game.

"This is a unique experience here."

Former AFL chief executive Wayne Jackson welcomed the news and said remaining at AAMI was the best option for football in South Australia.

"It (AAMI) does require some investment to take it closer to other stadiums in Australia," Mr Jackson said.

"It's easy to say that we need a new stadium but if it's not economically viable then it would be a disaster."

Mr Jackson pointed to the financial difficulties faced by Telstra Stadium in Sydney and Telstra Dome in Melbourne "with three to five times the population of Adelaide" as reasons why a new stadium may be a risky proposition.

Telstra Stadium was built for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney at a cost of $650 million, while Melbourne's Telstra Dome cost $480 million.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou also backed AAMI this week and said the SANFL would have access to a portion of the $28 million the governing body had set aside for facilty improvement.

Mr Demetrous said this would help build "a first-class arena giving 50,000 South Australians the chance to enjoy facilities equal to those at the MCG and Telstra Dome".

Mr Whicker acknowledged that improved public access to the stadium was an important issue and conceded that parts of the transportation system were "archaic".

Around 10,000 supporters travel by bus to AAMI and Mr Whicker said that system was already working at capacity and there were plans to extend the existing bus terminal.

Preliminary talks have already been held with Transport SA and the Department of Premier and Cabinet about a potential rail or light rail link to AAMI.

"It's on our agenda to have some discussions with the Government about light rail - that would be an absolute bonus for this venue, for the (adjacent West Lakes) shopping centre and to link up with Grange and Port Adelaide," Mr Whicker said.

A rail link to AAMI Stadium has been proposed previously, with former Premier John Olsen promising to build a spur off the Grange line at the Albert Park station before the 1997 State election.

However Mr Rann hosed down talk that the long awaited rail link might finally be delivered.

"This would have to cost tens of millions of dollars, perhaps much more," he said.

"And of course would have to be geared to handle large football crowds once a week during winter, rather than daily year round commuters. It is not on the Government's agenda."

Mr Whicker said the $70 million capital investment program would be funded from a variety of sources including additional borrowings, the State Government, the Federal Government, corporate sponsors and partners and the AFL.

He said the $22 million that will be spent over the next two years was already in place and that further talks would be held soon with potential funding sources.

The State Government has already committed $4 million to fund a security upgrade.

"We want to talk to the Federal Government as they have been supportive of new developments at Whitten Oval, Skilled Stadium and at Blacktown in Sydney."

Mr Whicker said a Medallion Club based on the successful concept developed at Telstra Dome would also be built on the roof of the eastern grandstand.

As many as 2000 seats would be available, with the SANFL looking to bring in a technology partner to instal personal televisions in all seats.

Mr Whicker said research was still being conducted on how much the seats would cost but original membership of Melbourne's Medallion club set spectators back an initial $5000 plus $500 a month for five years.

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AAMI Stadium will receive a $70 million facelift over the next five years in one of the biggest redevelopments of the arena since it opened in 1974.
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