SA Government commits $15 million to Thebarton Oval project

The South Australian government has announced it will commit $15 million toward the new Adelaide Football Club grounds at Thebarton Oval.

The club and appointed design team, City Collective, will be required to undertake a second phase of community consultation before progressing through the approval process.

The multi-purpose facility will offer elite female and male athletes a new and improved grass training ground, while also accommodating community use. Original plans featured hydropools, rehabilitation and medical centre, public green space, a cafe and an interactive community museum.

Thebarton Oval and the adjacent Kings Reserve were selected as the site for the proposed development in 2022, following a previous denied attempt to secure the former Brompton Gasworks site in 2021. The 9.2 hectare Thebarton Oval site has two sporting fields - one the size of Adelaide Oval and a second similar to Melbourne Cricket Ground. The club remains committed to maintaining secondary oval, which would be smaller than initially planned, until stage two of the development is complete, in 2031.

In addition to the $15 million investment, the SA government will invest a further $10 million to improve open, green community spaces and amenities in the surrounding areas.

Adelaide Crows chairman John Olsen said the project will open the Thebarton Oval to public use for the first time in decades.

"We are very appreciative of the Government's support and its solution-focussed approach to helping us find a long-term home that supports our teams, talent academies and large member and supporter base, while meeting the needs of residents," Olsen said.

"This is much more than a sporting and community hub where the public has access to revamped green space and new facilities and amenities."

The SA government's financial contribution complements the $15 million already secured at a federal level.