Adelaide Oval/AAMI Stadium showdown

Adelaide Oval is a step closer to rivalling AAMI Stadium as a preferred venue for major events, including football.

After Adelaide City Council gave in-principle support for the $82 million upgrade on Monday night, the South Australian Cricket Association yesterday vowed to do "whatever it takes" to get final approval.

The last hurdle for the upgrade of the heritage-listed western grandstand is the Development Assessment Commission, expected to deliver its ruling in December.

SACA chief executive Mike Deare said yesterday it was"determined" to get the proposal through DAC. "And if we have to modify our plans, we will do so," he said.

"We understand our obligations to the heritage and ambience of this venue . . . no one loves the Oval more than SACA and its members, and we're not about to stuff it up." However, Mr Deare conceded the ambitious project could mean Adelaide misses out on hosting international cricket matches in 2008-09.

Subject to DAC approval, Mr Deare hopes he can let tenders and begin work by April next year, but admits a Test match, three one-day internationals and Twenty/20 are at risk during the 18-month construction period.

The redevelopment would increase members' seating in the western grandstand from 7000 to 11,500, freeing up an extra 2500 public seats in the Bradman Stand.

Also included in the upgrade is a new 700-seat members' dining room, new bar facilities, improvements to catering, security, event management, emergency services, player change rooms and media suites.

"The redevelopment will allow SACA to compete for other codes such as international rugby, Rugby Sevens, soccer and SANFL," Mr Deare said.

He emphasised "we don't want to be a stadium . . . we want to keep our mounds, our lawns and our trees".

The upgrade preserves heritage features of the George Giffen Stand, including brick arches along the rear of the facility.

Mr Deare hopes to be able to halve the current waiting list of 7500 for SACA membership as a result of the expansion.

The association will meet Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council as soon as it has let tenders for the project and builders can provide firm advice on likely disruptions to facilities for the 2008-09 season.

"We will definitely have a domestic season, but we just don't know at the moment about the international matches and it's too early to make that call," Mr Deare said. He said the loss of the international games for one year was a small price for the long-term benefit of increasing Adelaide Oval's competitiveness with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.