A False Value Proposition

Many of the perceived and purported benefits of the Adelaide Football Club’s proposal simply don’t add up

A loss of green space …not a gain

The Adelaide Football Club’s proposal results in a net loss of quality green space and a net loss of community access.

While it is nice that Thebarton Oval will be open to the public (when not in use by the club), it must be acknowledged that the public are unlikely to gain much value through recreational use of this space.

  • The oval will only be accessible when not in use by the Crows and when it isn’t being watered or maintained – want to use it, you’ll have to check first or hope it’s available when you arrive.

  • The oval will be fenced and accessible only through gated points, discouraging free and open access.

  • The oval will be flanked by an administrative, hospitality and member engagement building that will overlook any usage of the space – If you’re on the oval, you’re being watched.

  • The oval will be designed for a single purpose only and everything else will be secondary.

  • It’s an oval, with a set of goals at either end. It offers no shade, it contains no facilities, it provides no habitat and offers no connection with nature. It is a flat, uniform and largely uninteresting expanse when not being used for a football match.

  • The oval is first and foremost for the Crows. Community usage will always be secondary.

Likewise, any second oval constructed on Kings Reserve will also be a space that offers limited community value and furthermore it duplicates any possible usage offering that is offered by the opening up of Thebarton Oval.

  • It will replace a diverse and nature filled space with a second large flat, uniform expanse of grass.

  • It will restrict public usage as it replaces a currently freely accessible space with one that is only accessible when not in use by the Crows and when it isn’t being watered or maintained to a level that is unnecessary for general public usage.

  • It will be a space that is first and foremost for the Crows. Community usage is again secondary.

  • Want to use the space, you’ll have to check with the Crows first.

The outcome in terms of the green space and the potential public health and wellbeing benefits it can provide are diminished by the proposal for a second oval. The net result is a loss, not a gain.

Is this the type of green space
that supports the diverse needs of our communities?

West Coast Eagles two-oval training facility

Is this the type of green space that encourages community use?

Essendon’s two-oval training facility

A loss of community access

Kings Reserve is currently an open and freely accessible green space available to local communities, visitors and anyone in the general public.

Users of the space don’t need to check the website of a private corporation before heading down and the space is large enough and diverse enough that it can cater for many uses at once.

The Adelaide Football Club’s proposal for a second full size training oval on Kings Reserve will replace a freely accessible and diverse community space with a space that puts the Crows needs above all others.

Want to use Kings Reserve, you’ll now have to check if the Crows are using it first.

Want to use Thebarton Oval?

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you’ll have to check with the Crows first

Want to use Kings Reserve?

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you’ll also have to check with the Crows first

Community facilities not funded by the Crows

Despite highlighting community benefits such as playgrounds, skate parks, BBQ and picnic areas in their media releases and interviews, and featuring these in their draft master plans, the Adelaide Crows aren’t actually planning to build or fund any of these community facilities.

Instead, all of the mentioned community facilities will be outside of the Crows lease and funded and maintained by the ratepayers of the City of West Torrens.

Far from providing new facilities for the community, the Adelaide Football Club are instead taking public land that the Council were previously planning to upgrade with new community facilities and instead building their own facilities on it.

Community facilities
not funded by the Crows

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✘ Playground
✘ Skate park
✘ Youth activity area
✘ BBQ & picnic facilities
✘ Community amenity area

Community Centre not funded by the Crows

The new community centre which appears prominently in AFC media release was never funded by the Adelaide Crows but instead with State Government Funds as compensation for the removal of the existing centre to facilitate the South Road upgrade.

As of April 2023 the community centre is no longer being located on Kings Reserve to allow more space for the Crows second oval.

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New Community Centre not funded by the Crows

Council spending up big… but mainly on the Crows

The City of West Torrens are contributing $11.26 million dollars of ratepayers’ money to help build the Crows new headquarters.

Ratepayer money will be spent on items such as ·        

  • Two professional sports ovals

  • Television broadcast lighting

  • Stadium seating, viewing areas and grandstands

  • Facility entrance roads and parking

  • Crows entrance plaza

  • Crows café, museum and lobby

At the same time, they are also offering the Crows substantial rate and rent subsidies and not charging any rates or rent for priority access to the two ovals and their surrounds.