A re-elected Marshall Liberal Government will build a new 15,000-person multipurpose indoor arena in the Adelaide Riverbank precinct.
The new arena proposal has been developed by the Adelaide Venue Management Corporation and has undergone preliminary assessment by Infrastructure South Australia.
Announced today by Premier Steven Marshall, the arena is to be built immediately west of the Morphett Street Bridge and will cost approximately $700 million. Final costs will be released later in 2021 after further consultation and technical work.
"This project will create jobs for South Australians and help cement Adelaide as one of the most liveable cities in the world," said Premier Steven Marshall.
"Our investment will take recent government and private investment in entertainment and convention infrastructure along Adelaide's riverbank precinct to more than $2 billion."
The new arena, which will replace the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, will be capable of hosting concerts, conventions and court sports – including basketball, netball and tennis.
Sport and entertainment events in South Australia are currently limited by the capacity of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and its location. The Adelaide Entertainment Centre currently has a total capacity of 11,300, with only 9,600 for basketball and netball. The new arena will seat 15,000 for all events.
An underground tunnel below Morphett Street will provide a direct link with the Adelaide Convention Centre and increase exhibition space by 5,600sqm.
This is a significant new element to the project which is different to previous proposals. This significant increase in exhibition space will allow SA to compete for major international conferences and events that we can't currently bid for.
Construction of the arena will commence when major works for the new Women's and Children's Hospital is estimated to conclude in 2025. Once final costings are determined later this year, funding will commence in 2023 on planning and preparation for construction.
This timing will provide certainty and stability to the South Australian construction sector.
