Adelaide Oval's heritage status in doubt

Adelaide Oval has lost its historic value, becoming a "generic universal stadium" that should be stripped of its state heritage protection, according to the National Trust of SA.

The heritage body is pushing to have the oval's western grandstand and its famed 99-year-old scoreboard removed from the state heritage register.

National Trust of SA spokesman David Beaumont said current upgrade work on the oval had "destroyed" its historic value, stating âwe have discussed the idea of lodging it for delisting as we believe it has lost its heritage value, the heritage has been destroyed.

"The western grandstand has been demolished and the ground is no longer an iconic cricket ground, it's turning into a generic universal stadium that could be anywhere in the world.

"It was listed because of its history and development and its (connection to) notable identities, its scale and detailing, but that has all gone. We understand that spectators have to have better facilities, but in the process the whole heritage value of those western grandstands has been completely changed."

Beaumont said the trust's cultural advisory committee, of which he is a member, met recently and discussed at length preparing a submission to have the grandstand and scoreboard delisted.

Any decision to support de-listing the oval would have to be endorsed by the trust's 14-member state council, with the power to remove heritage status resting with the SA Heritage Authority.

The George Giffen, Sir Edwin Smith and Mostyn Evan stands collectively known as the western grandstands and the 1911 manually-operated oval scoreboard were confirmed on the SA Heritage register in September 1986.

The grandstands were largely demolished last year as part of the South Australian Cricket Association's $98 million revamp of the western stands, but the heritage-listed red arches and part of the 127-year-old Giffen stand were retained.

Adelaide Oval's international reputation as one of the world's most historic cricket grounds is likely to be affected further under the controversial $535 million plan to redevelop it into a 50,000 seat stadium.

18th June 2010 - DEMETRIOU ‘MOVE TO ADELAIDE OVAL OR PERISH!’

26th April 2010 - AUBURN MOSQUE LISTED ON THE NATIONAL TRUST REGISTER

3rd December 2009 - AFL TO MOVE TO REDEVELOPED 50,000-SEAT ADELAIDE OVAL

12th August 2009 - $350 MILLION UPGRADE PLANNED FOR ADELAIDE OVAL