[COM] Adelaide Oval Redevelopment

[ChillyPhilly]

Not Newcastle. Victory, Sydney and maybe Melbourne City (formerly Heart) and Western Sydney all generate considerable interest. You can forget about the rest.

[AG]

One glaring design fault i have picked up is the pedestrian thoroughfare under the eastern stand is far too narrow and bottlenecks occur which could be a major issue during an emergency . Just my observation anyway .

Flowing into this, the escalators flowing down from the level 5 (top level) stands on the eastern stand get very congested post-match. Adelaide Oval has now resorted to having staff stopping and starting the queues on the escalators to avoid pile ups on level 3 and down on the ground. It only happens for short periods though.

[monotonehell]

One glaring design fault i have picked up is the pedestrian thoroughfare under the eastern stand is far too narrow and bottlenecks occur which could be a major issue during an emergency . Just my observation anyway .

Flowing into this, the escalators flowing down from the level 5 (top level) stands on the eastern stand get very congested post-match. Adelaide Oval has now resorted to having staff stopping and starting the queues on the escalators to avoid pile ups on level 3 and down on the ground. It only happens for short periods though.

You can do a lot, but you still can't help the collective stupidity of crowds.

[Vee]

Cricket Australia shafts Adelaide, stealing our traditional Australia Day ODI - leaving the redeveloped Adelaide Oval empty, in favour of adding an extra date to their already crowded calendar in Sydney.

Looks like SA and WA have been snubbed.
And SACA responds to this snub with a weak 'extremely disappointing' response in its SACA News.

And the Ryobi Cup fixtures will be played ONLY in Sydney!!
Again!!!

What do SACA members get for their 2014-2015 dues?
Not much it seems. Attend some Redbacks games which are free to the general public? Pity those who work or study or live in the country. T20 is the main option.
The Australia Day fixture was a particular highlight for many SA farming/country folk.

Perhaps Adelaide Oval could play host to a major alternative event - soccer, concert?? on Australia Day?

Adelaide and SA will miss out on significant tourism dollars and the added vibe and boost to the economy of the Australia Day public holiday match.

Huge investment has been made in redeveloping the AO to be a jewel in the crown for cricket and footy. Pity Cricket Australia can't see beyond its own selfish interests in sharing out fixtures more equitably around the nation.

AUSTRALIA’S cricket summer has become an episode of winners and losers with Sydney chirping but Adelaide and Perth the major casualties of a complicated 2015 World Cup schedule.

http://adelaidehub.blogspot.com.au/2014 ... _2658.html

[ChillyPhilly]

SACA need an overhaul.

[Maximus]

Cricket Australia shafts Adelaide, stealing our traditional Australia Day ODI - leaving the redeveloped Adelaide Oval empty, in favour of adding an extra date to their already crowded calendar in Sydney.

That was my first reaction, too, but I think we should wait until the entire summer's fixture is released before we unleash full-force outrage. This will be a very different summer of cricket to what we've become accustomed (two one-day series, plus World Cup, but only four Tests) and it is possible that the Australia Day snub is simply a one-off to make all the scheduling work (I'm not normally such an optimist!). I would be inclined to think that usual service will resume for 2015-16, but we'll see.

EDIT: Full fixture released this morning. Yep, this does look like a bit of a shaft for Adelaide. And for Brisbane, actually. A few key points:

- Adelaide gets first international match of the summer (a T20 v South Africa), but nothing else apart from the Test v India.
- Brisbane gets one ODI (Eng v India) and the opening Test v India.
- Canberra gets an ODI (Aust v South Africa). Hobart also an ODI (Aust v England).
- Perth gets four ODIs to make up for the lack of a Test. 2 x Aust v South Africa, one Eng v India, and the final of the tri-series.
- MCG gets 1 x T20, 2 x ODI (both featuring Aust) plus Boxing Day Test. Sydney (SCG plus Stadium Australia) gets 1 x T20, 3 x ODI plus New Year Test.

That 3rd ODI for Sydney is the Australia Day one...

And then in February, the World Cup begins.

[ml69]

Cricket Australia shafts Adelaide, stealing our traditional Australia Day ODI - leaving the redeveloped Adelaide Oval empty, in favour of adding an extra date to their already crowded calendar in Sydney.

That was my first reaction, too, but I think we should wait until the entire summer's fixture is released before we unleash full-force outrage. This will be a very different summer of cricket to what we've become accustomed (two one-day series, plus World Cup, but only four Tests) and it is possible that the Australia Day snub is simply a one-off to make all the scheduling work (I'm not normally such an optimist!). I would be inclined to think that usual service will resume for 2015-16, but we'll see.

EDIT: Full fixture released this morning. Yep, this does look like a bit of a shaft for Adelaide. And for Brisbane, actually. A few key points:

- Adelaide gets first international match of the summer (a T20 v South Africa), but nothing else apart from the Test v India.
- Brisbane gets one ODI (Eng v India) and the opening Test v India.
- Canberra gets an ODI (Aust v South Africa). Hobart also an ODI (Aust v England).
- Perth gets four ODIs to make up for the lack of a Test. 2 x Aust v South Africa, one Eng v India, and the final of the tri-series.
- MCG gets 1 x T20, 2 x ODI (both featuring Aust) plus Boxing Day Test. Sydney (SCG plus Stadium Australia) gets 1 x T20, 3 x ODI plus New Year Test.

That 3rd ODI for Sydney is the Australia Day one...

And then in February, the World Cup begins.

Let's be fair. Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth have all been shafted this coming season to accommodate the World Cup. Sydney is the place which has received most benefit from the season's programming.

And Adelaide doesn't do too badly in the World Cup programming. Although we don't get an Australian qualifying match, we host India vs Pakistan (huge match) and get a quarter final which neither Brisbane or Perth do. Take a look at the World Cup fixtures .... if you were Brisbane or Perth fans you'd be pretty pissed off.

[Maximus]

Let's be fair. Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth have all been shafted this coming season to accommodate the World Cup. Sydney is the place which has received most benefit from the season's programming.

And Adelaide doesn't do too badly in the World Cup programming. Although we don't get an Australian qualifying match, we host India vs Pakistan (huge match) and get a quarter final which neither Brisbane or Perth do. Take a look at the World Cup fixtures .... if you were Brisbane or Perth fans you'd be pretty pissed off.

Yeah, I do agree. Adelaide's World Cup draw is definitely the best (in Australia) after Melbourne and Sydney. Although, again to be fair, the World Cup programming is probably even harder, because there are limited matches featuring the host nations (Aust & NZ), lots of cities that expect to see the host nations, and then a whole bunch of matches that don't feature the host nations.

Anyway, I think the two things that stick out the most in this summer's fixture are the ODI in Canberra (probably should and/or would usually be Brisbane's) and the Australia Day ODI in Sydney (usually would be ours). And, sadly, the motivator behind both of those decisions in most likely $$$. That seems to be the main thing sports league CEOs (Demetriou, Sutherland, et al) care about these days, unfortunately. Or, at least, what their boards demand of them.

[cruel_world00]

Firstly, the money situation doesn't really make sense RE Australia Day. South Australian cricket fans are notoriously supportive of any and all international cricket particularly involving Australia. The Australia Day match would be a total sell out and make a tonne of money for CA. SCG, even with the redevelopment is still smaller than Adelaide Oval, so surely having it here would generate more dosh. The CA are in the business of making money which makes me think this decision could very well be a one off.

On the World Cup front, Adelaide Oval has been very fortunate with our matches. We get great Group matches and a qualifying final which you would expect Australia to make.

So really, it's only this strange moving of the Australia Day ODI to SCG that has shafted us. I firmly believe it will be a one off due to a bizarre, World Cup affected cricket season.
I really hope I'm right.

[Vee]

...
So really, it's only this strange moving of the Australia Day ODI to SCG that has shafted us. I firmly believe it will be a one off due to a bizarre, World Cup affected cricket season.
I really hope I'm right.

If Sydney retains the ODI on Australia Day in the following year, instead of returning this traditional date back to the Adelaide Oval, the shafting will be well and truly on show. It's not like Sydney has relinquished its New Year's Day date.

Sydney has gobbled up prime public holiday dates during the attractive summer holiday season which attracts huge crowds and helps to make cricket more accessible to ordinary workers. Apart from the unfairness, the condescending attitude of Cricket Australia to the people beyond Sydney/NSW is really annoying. It is a national game and CA owes it to the supporters to ensure a more equitable approach.

This item (extract below) gives an indication that according to James Sutherland "Australia Day cricket is no guarantee to return after being snared by Sydney".

Adelaide cricket left out in the cold.

ADELAIDE’s standing as cricket afterthought should be sadly entrenched today with Australia Day cricket gone while Sydney and Canberra celebrate.
...
The SCG will luxuriate in the New Year’s Test, World Cup pool games including Australia v Sri Lanka, quarter- final and semi-finals. Canberra receives a November 19 one-day game between Australia and South Africa and three World Cup pool games.
...
Adelaide Oval’s $535 million upgrade was sold on the basis it would future-proof cricket fixtures but CA boss James Sutherland has indicated Australia Day cricket is no guarantee to return after being snared by Sydney.

http://adelaidehub.blogspot.com.au/2014 ... _2731.html

[cruel_world00]

This is the only quote I can find from Sutherland, not sure where that other site got its source.

We’ve made a decision to play a one-day international match in Sydney at the SCG against India on Australia Day. That’s not to say that will always be the case in the future, but in this case the unique circumstances of this summer have led us to make that call,” Sutherland said.

[Maximus]

This is the only quote I can find from Sutherland, not sure where that other site got its source.

We’ve made a decision to play a one-day international match in Sydney at the SCG against India on Australia Day. That’s not to say that will always be the case in the future, but in this case the unique circumstances of this summer have led us to make that call,” Sutherland said.

I would like someone to ask Sutherland directly: why has the Australia Day ODI been moved to Sydney? Saying it's because of "the unique circumstances of this summer" doesn't answer the question -- it's bullsh*t CEO-speak that avoids the question. I think SACA members at least deserve the respect of a proper explanation.

[ChillyPhilly]

Hell yes! Adelaide United FC to host Spanish La Liga side Malaga on Friday, July 25, at Adelaide Oval.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/foo ... 05d751e66b

[PeFe]

From the Tiser

Football’s new home turf a city cash smash
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/20 ... 14477c.jpg
Essendon supporters, from left, Diane Ewing, Kirstin Barton, Jordan Stephens, Ricky Wheeler, Craig Halbisch and Ken Ewing, all in town for the match against Port Adelaide.


ADELAIDE Oval’s redevelopment is paying off as record AFL crowds boost hotel bookings and pour millions of dollars into the city.

State Government figures show that since the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power shifted to Adelaide Oval more people are choosing to stay overnight in a city hotel.

The data, supplied exclusively to the Sunday Mail, shows 91.5 per cent of Adelaide’s hotel and motel rooms are booked when Adelaide Crows are playing at home – a 21 per cent increase on bookings when the Crows were playing at AAMI Stadium.

And Port’s revival has seen occupancy rates jump by 15.9 per cent to 84.7 per cent.

SA Tourism Commission estimates that the boost in bookings has injected an extra $3.2 million into the hotel economy, not including spending on food and drinks.

Average crowds at Crows games are up by 8763 to 47,123 – since the shift from AAMI Stadium – while Port’s form has seen crowds rocket by 18,846 to an average 43,105.

The jump in occupancy rates linked to the Oval upgrade as well as the $350 million Adelaide Convention Centre redevelopment has helped trigger a hotel building boom.

Three new city hotels are under construction with the $63 million, 311 room Ibis Adelaide due to open on July 18.

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell welcomed the private sector development linked to the success of the Oval.

“If you had not been to Adelaide for five years you would notice a huge difference – there is excitement and confidence from the private sector,” he said.

“There was a lot of criticism of spending $500 million on the Oval but the hotel market saw the potential of the change and jumped in at the right moment.

“There is a massive game change in the way people see Adelaide, with the result thousands more people are coming over for the football and staying for several days, taking the opportunity to go to places like the nearby wine regions.”

The Government has actively courted interstate clubs to bring larger supporter groups, taking key officials to places like the city’s new small bars as well as McLaren Vale wineries and the Star of Greece restaurant to show them attractions within easy distance of the city.

Mr Bignell noted the increase in city crowds for the AFL was just the start of the transformation linked to both the Oval and Convention Centre.

We’ve got World Cup cricket next year and the February 15 game between India and Pakistan will probably have one billion people tuning in, and 70 per cent of the tickets sold have gone to people from interstate or overseas,” he said.

“That’s 35,000 people in Adelaide — most will stay a week and with an average spend of around $1000 that will pour $35 million into the economy.”

Australian Hotels Association SA chief executive Ian Horne said the Oval was having a significant positive impact on the psyche of the hospitality industry.

“It is still a learning experience – the afternoon matches seem a lot better for food and beverage sales as people decide to stay in the city and while there has been disappointment from some venues, on a good day the benefits flow from North Adelaide to Gouger St and Rundle St,” he said.

“There has been such positive feedback from the interstate media that all indications are the interstate fan base coming here and staying a few nights will grow. It also appears to have reinvigorated rural fans coming to the footy and staying a few days.”

Restaurant and Catering SA chief executive Sally Neville said there were winners and losers among restaurants.

Losers include suburban restaurants as more people flock to the city, while parking issues mean North Adelaide eateries are complaining they are missing out on trade compared to the CBD.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6979071352

[Wayno]

Many of us know that a new or redeveloped stadium has a honeymoon period where membership and attendance peaks, the broad populous experience a general 'feel good vibe', and people come from further afield to experience the spectacle. Typically this fades over time. There's been many studies done that prove and reprove that one of the last things you should do to invigorate an economy is to build or redevelop a stadium.

BUT, I'm going to be contrarian with regards to Adelaide Oval. I think it was cash well spent, and the benefits will last for the longer term. Of course I'm choosing to ignore the fact it could have been done cheaper - let's put aside all the political dealings, kickbacks, cost blowouts and retired saca debt, etc. Those aspects cloud the topic and are not worth revisiting. It's done.

Why am I contrarian? Well I'm glad you asked. It's clear that Adelaide NEEDED to bring footy back to the city, and while redeveloping AO on its own would have had limited benefit; the fact is it's timed perfectly when considering all the other changes underway in the city (lane way activation with more to come, expanded convention centre, the funky SAHMRI building, new hospital, western end of the city starting to launch forward thanks to the hospital, developers buying into the game by developing new hotels, rundle mall redevelopment, tall apartment blocks popping up here and there, a fringe festival that seriously kicks butt, tdu, Womad, bike lanes, VSQ progress, riverbank development blossoming, an expanded casino coming soon, and I'm sure I missed a few important things).

What I'm talking about here is something very very important to Adelaide. We must earn street-cred with the rest of Australia, and guess what? all above is truly making it happen. AO is a very important part of the broader package deal. The AFL brings a throng of people every week to Adelaide. The Cricket World Cup next year will also be a mini-bonanza - perfect perfect timing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not just concerned with what your average interstate bogan or yuppie thinks of Adelaide, but also the many many small & mid-sized business owners who are looking to expand operations and maybe even somewhere more cost effective to HQ their businesses. This is where street-cred has a tangible impact. Also has a big impact on new adults (late teens, early-20s) deciding whether to stay or go live elsewhere. Businesses will locate somewhere that is perceived as being 'cool' because they know good quality employees won't be far behind.

Actually my opinion is the street-cred thing is already here. It arrived on the midnight train and sneaked into town. It's just the majority don't yet see it, but soon will. We now have it and more & more people both local and interstate are already seeing Adelaide in a different light. Keep it up for the next 2-3 years and we'll cement this new found identity. I'm eagerly awaiting to see the interstate migration (nett loss) numbers for 2014. My prediction is a smaller loss than previous years.

There's a few things that will help in the next 2-3 years. Fingers crossed Yarwood gets over the line later this year. Fingers crossed we bid for the commonwealth games (visibility matters). Fingers crossed the Crows & Power do very well this year and the next two. Fingers crossed the govt figures a way to avoid the defence valley of death. Fingers crossed the loss of holden is mostly countered. Fingers crossed that opening up the woomera zone presents a bonanza of opportunities.

Fingers & toes crossed.