SACA Members vote for Adelaide Oval upgrade

South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) members have strongly and unexpectedly supported the upgrade of the Adelaide Oval in a historic vote last night.

About 2,300 SACA members arrived at the Wayville Showgrounds last evening for what The Adelaide Advertiser described as "one of the defining nights in South Australia's sporting and cultural history."

Following two hours of presentations from cricket officials and questions from members, SACA President Ian McLachlan announced that 80.37% of voters had backed constitutional changes needed to pass the development.

In total, 10,078 members voted yes and 2,461 voted no. A 75% absolute majority was needed.

The result, which led to applause inside the voting room, shifts attention to final costings for the project and delivering money to complete the scheme.

Final sign-off on the lease governing the Oval precinct will be required from Adelaide City Council while the South Australian Government is yet to receive the results of a riverbank masterplanning process.

The South Australian Government has allocated $535 million to the project but hinted the final cost will be higher. The AFL has confirmed it will provide some money to the project but is yet to reveal the figure.

McLachlan said the support for the redevelopment, which is expected to see AFL games played from 2014, was overwhelming.

Stadium Management Authority Chief Executive Leigh Whicker stated "tonight's decision by SACA members is not only a great outcome for cricket and football but for future generations of all South Australians."

Despite the yes vote, the Government still needs to legislate the SMAs right to use the Oval and intends to increase the length of its lease over the site.

South Australian Infrastructure Minister Pat Conlon declared the result a victory for Adelaide's silent majority and called on his political rivals to support legislation needed to bring the project to fruition, stating "It's a very, very good outcome.

"It's a victory for people embracing a brighter future for the city.

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou said from Melbourne last night the SACA vote was an "excellent result" for the State.

Adelaide City Councillor Anne Moran said the Council had agreed to sign a new lease with the Stadium Management Authority if the SACA vote succeeded but she said the council would resist any moves to strip them of ultimate control over the parklands and potential revenue.

South Australian's two AFL clubs, Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power, greeted the SACA members' agreement to bring football back to a new 50,000-seat Adelaide Oval as significant.

Power President Brett Duncanson declared both his club and the Crows "will be better off.

"Our club is now more secure ... for our supporters it is a return to a ground where our club has had a lot of success - this will be very exciting for them."

Crows Chief Executive Steven Trigg described the end to the stadium debate as a "great outcome" for his club, adding "for our club to play games in a vibrant, redeveloped precinct in the CBD is very appealing."

The two clubs are expecting an uplift of $8.1 million in their stadium revenue by moving from AAMI Stadium at West Lakes to the city.

1st September 2010 - SA SPORTS COMMIT TO ADELAIDE OVAL REDEVELOPMENT

25th May 2010 - ADELAIDE OVAL REDEVELOPMENT HANGS ON WORLD CUP BID 

2nd April 2010 - SANFL WANTS $8 MILLION FOR ADELAIDE OVAL MOVE 

24th February 2010 - AAMI STADIUM HOLDS BACK SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CLUBS

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

30th October 2009 - AFL CHIEF BACKS ADELAIDE CBD STADIUM

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

3rd February 2009 - AUSTRALIA ENTERS RACE FOR FIFA WORLD CUP

22nd December 2008 - AAMI STADIUM UPGRADE TO PRESS ON DESPITE FUNDING CUT

20th February 2008 - NEW STADIUM FOR ADELAIDE?

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