AFL’s Adelaide Crows reveal plans for new headquarters at Thebarton Oval

The Adelaide Crows’ search for a new headquarters appears to be over with the AFL club announcing plans to establish a base and home ground at the city’s Thebarton Oval.

Announcing the concept to develop a 9.1 hectare site with two ovals, one the size of Adelaide Oval and the other similar to the MCG, along with an indoor training facility, Club Chairman John Olsen today advised that he written to members saying negotiations were underway with the City of West Torrens and the SANFL, which currently leases the site in the Adelaide western suburb of Torrensville.

Advising that said he expects the project to cost at least $75 million - towards which the club expects to secure South Australian Government funding for - Olsen said the headquarters, which the club hopes to move into in 2025, would include facilities for the Crows AFLW players.

Commending the proposal, Olsen stated “this development will underpin our football-first focus and it will benefit our players, coaches, staff, corporate partners, members and supporters, as well as the local community, for many years to come.

“Aside from being a state-of-the-art headquarters for all players, coaches and staff, it will be our AFLW team’s home ground, having dedicated facilities for both athletes and spectators.

“There will also be many and varied opportunities to celebrate our heritage, and engage with members, fans and the broader community.”

Looking to move their headquarters from the city’s West Lakes since AFL games were relocated to Adelaide Oval in 2014, between 2019 and 2020 the club proposed moving to a new facility to replace the ageing Adelaide Aquatic Centre but pulled out as COVID-19 hit impacted its finances.

Earlier this year it was revealed that its bid to build a new headquarters as part of the redevelopment of the old Brompton Gasworks site in the city's inner-west had been overlooked in favour of MAB Corporation’s plans for a hotel and housing on the site.

The proposal revealed by Olsen also includes a new aquatic centre encompassing cutting edge hydrotherapy resources, as well as leading rehabilitation and medical amenities, with publicly accessible allied health services and a new and improved council community hub.

The plan also includes more member and fan focussed areas, including an interactive museum and café, along with greater on-site car parking options.

The club and City of West Torrens said the community would also be able to access to green space at the site, except during training.

City of West Torrens Mayor, Michael Coxon advised “all the fencing around Thebarton Oval will be done away with and it will be a magnificent precinct.”

Olsen said the site was about 30% bigger than the previous one considered at the old Brompton Gasworks.

The Crows failure to be included in the redevelopment of the Brompton site is under review by the current South Australian Government.

Thebarton Oval was the home ground of former SANFL club West Torrens Eagles, until they merged with Woodville and moved to Woodville Oval. The SANFL currently hold the lease to the ground, with the local Adelaide Footy League holding a sub-lease.

Images: Concepts for the Crows' new headquarters at Thebarton Oval. Credit: Adelaide FC/City Collective.