The Port Adelaide Football Club has released concept drawings for the next stage of the Alberton Oval transformation, which include new state-of-the-art facilities for the club's AFLW team, wellness and rehabilitation centre for the football programs and the community, and a new heritage inspired third grandstand. 

The next stage of the redevelopment will also include a future-focused STEM learning and education centre to enhance the programs run by Power Community Limited, together with conference facilities for the club's Port Adelaide Academy of Sport, and a new Port Adelaide Bowling Club.  

Underpinning the concept plans is both the club's strategic vision and growth objectives, and importantly the needs of the broader community.  

The concept plans for the next stage of the redevelopment include:  

• A third heritage inspired grandstand, increasing the seated capacity at Alberton Oval to 6,000 and overall capacity to over 10,000 to cater for AFLW, SANFL home games, and AFL pre-season games.
• AFLW player changeroom and coaching administration facilities consolidated into the existing Allan Scott Headquarters.
• High-performance athlete wellness and recovery facilities, which will also be available for community use
• A STEM learning centre, and education and conferences spaces for our community programs and the Port Adelaide Academy of Sport.
• A new Port Adelaide Bowling Club facility with synthetic green and clubrooms.  
• A flexible learning and event space for club and community access. 

Port Adelaide Football Club Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Richardson said the proposed next stage redevelopment is important for the club both on and off the field, and also to ensure Port Adelaide continues to play an important role in providing elite facilities at Alberton Oval to support and enhance community use.

“We're excited about this next phase of transforming the Alberton Oval precinct and the outcomes it will provide both the club and the community,” Mr. Richardson said.  

“With the growth of the western suburbs, and particular at Osborne and the LeFevre Peninsula, it's important that Alberton Oval continues its transformation as an elite multi-use precinct for our club and the community. 

“Alberton Oval provides a gateway to the ‘Port’ and with the growth of AFL and AFLW with increasing national exposure and broadcast coverage, our home can play an important role in telling the story of the incredible multi-generational projects developing in South Australia around the defence industry, in the heart of Port Adelaide.

“As an AFL club, it is more critical than ever that we provide world-class training and match day facilities for our players and staff to be competitive at the highest level, and to compete for the attraction and retention of key talent on and off field.

“The development of AFL club facilities around the country over the last 10 years has been significant and we must keep up to ensure we provide our players and staff the best chance to have success.

“It's also imperative the two AFL clubs in SA are competitive to underpin the growth of the game in this state, and the economy at Adelaide Oval which subsequently supports community sport.

"AFL and AFLW will continue to grow and expand and it's critical we invest in our facilities to ensure South Australia is a genuine destination for current and future AFL and AFLW talent.

“To have Alberton Oval available as an AFL standard match day venue is also a key feature of what will be proposed in this next stage.

“It provides for the future growth of the AFLW competition with improved facilities and increased seating capacity to approximately 6,000.

“Importantly, we are proud of the fact that with the recent facilities upgrade we have also been able to provide access for junior community sport when not being used by the club, and that is another key feature of this proposed next stage development.

“An example of this is the West Adelaide Bearcats who use the indoor training centre for their more than 100 junior teams, and that access will expand with the next stage.

“Passive recreation has also increased at Alberton Oval with the local community taking advantage of the recently improved facilities and amenities.

The release of these concept drawings comes after Port Adelaide formalised a partnership with the Port Adelaide Bowling Club to work together to create a space that meets both party's needs. 

“The Port Adelaide Bowling Club is the second oldest bowling club in South Australia and is a significant chapter in the Alberton Oval story.  

“We are really pleased to be able to work together to continue to help write their story alongside our own well into the future. 

“Their current greens and clubrooms require significant work to protect their future and foster member growth, and we are delighted that we're able to incorporate their needs into this next stage and ensure their history here at Alberton remains for the next 100 years. 

“Our long-term vision remains unchanged, with these proposed developments intended to continue to transform the precinct into the best boutique AFL and AFLW stadium in Australia, that benefit not only the Port Adelaide Football Club and football in South Australia, but the broader community.

“In addition, the proposed plans include a STEM learning centre to support future jobs in the state, and educational facilities that will be home for our industry-leading community programs and our Port Adelaide Academy of Sport.

“One of the major strategic challenges for our state is the development of future workforce to capitalise on the jobs needed and our Community Programs play an increasing role in encouraging young people to pursue these pathways. These new facilities will enhance our ability to drive these outcomes.

“It is important to note that we are just at the start of this process for the proposed next stage development, and we will continue to consult with the community and all stakeholders as we advance this exciting plan”.  

The Port Adelaide Football Club is delivering the first scope of planning work and is working closely with all stakeholders to identify their needs.

Securing partnership investment to fund this plan is critical to seeing the vision come to life, and the club will continue to progress these discussions over the coming months.

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