Upgrades for Hindmarsh Stadium and Memorial Drive
Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium and Memorial Drive Tennis Centre will each receive significant upgrades, with almost $90 million to be spent on the two venues.
Announced in the 2020-21 South Australian budget on Tuesday, $45m has been committed to upgrade the home of football in the state and A-League side Adelaide United, while it is hoped the redevelopment will help attract major events such as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The investment, part of a $204 million Sports and Recreation infrastructure plan, follows days of speculation that the stadiums would receive a cash splash in this year’s budget.
Features of the Hindmarsh Stadium (Coopers Stadium) upgrade include a roof to be built over the eastern grandstand, two new super video screens installed, improved corporate and media facilities, overhauled change rooms, upgraded lighting, a full replacement of the pitch, while disability access has also been promised.
The state government planned for these upgrades to be complete by the start of 2023 at the latest – in time to host Women’s World Cup fixtures.
Hindmarsh is commonly referred to as one of the best purpose-built football stadiums in the country, with the fans on top of the action. It appears its capacity of 16,500 won’t be increased as part of the upgrade.
There had been talk recently that Adelaide’s games during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup may be moved to the Adelaide Oval, however this upgrade will lock in Hindmarsh Stadium, as it did during the Sydney 2000 Olympics when it hosted matches. Like it did then, its capacity will be boosted to around 18,500 with the use of temporary grandstands.
Adelaide United boss Nathan Kosmina told The Advertiser the planned upgrades were a “fantastic outcome for South Australian football”.
“Whilst the stadium is beloved by the football community in this state, it is in need of necessary refurbishments in order to bring it in-line with modern-day fan expectations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Adelaide’s home of tennis, Memorial Drive, has been allocated $44m for the second stage of its redevelopment.
Four new grandstands will be built, to replace the existing two aging stands, to boost its capacity to 6,000.
The investment builds on the $10 million already spent on building a roof over the venue, which was completed in time for the new Adelaide International tennis tournament back in January this year.
The State Government also promised upgrades to elite training and recovery facilities, as well as improved access to the Adelaide Oval precinct.
It’s hoped the upgrade will allow more events to be hosted at the venue, including concerts and e-sports. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
The $204 million package, to be spent over the next four years, also includes $35 million in grants for grassroots sporting facilities across both metropolitan and regional areas.
Since this announcement, additional major sporting infrastructure projects have been announced including the upgrades of Priceline Stadium, Thebarton Oval and the State Centre of Football.
