Crows Takeover of North Adelaide Aquatic Centre and Park Lands?

It's been secret Crows business behind closed doors at Council since the beginning of the year with the AFL Club's game plan to take over Park 2, to demolish the North Adelaide Aquatic Centre and to replace it with its new headquarters, including some facilities yet to be revealed that the Crows promise will have community benefit.

I think the Council, which is responsible for the management of this piece of Park Lands, should have said "NO" from the outset, but a majority of Councillors voted to allow the proposal to progress to what's called STAGE 2 of a formal "Unsolicited Bids" process with detailed concept plans being prepared. Anne Moran, Rob Simms and, yours truly, Phil Martin voted against giving the green light to the Crows.

The same three Councillors asked Council, as a minimum, to find out what you, the ratepayers, think of giving away this important recreation facility and piece of Park Lands. Councillors Mary Couros, Helen Donovan, Alex Hyde, Jessy Khera, Simon Hou, Houssam Abiad, Arman Abrahimzidah and Franz Knoll all voted to deny North Adelaide the right to a say in a public consultation. Some openly stated they want you to see the concept plans first!

The loss of the Aquatic Centre looks unstoppable, with the Federal Government already committing 15 million dollars to the Crows building and Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor telling ABC TV News a month ago ....

"If it involves recreation and sporting facilities, community facilities, pools, AFL football grade ovals and all of the sport that comes with that, then I don't see why we wouldn't support that"

Putting aside the issue of why that 15 million dollars Federal grant couldn't have gone to upgrading or rebuilding the Aquatic Centre ...putting aside also the City of Adelaide could support handing over Park Lands, which are supposed to be for the benefit of all South Australians, to primarily benefit one professional football club, there are so many unanswered questions about this proposal;

How high and wide is the building going to be? How many car parking spaces will need to be included? Will there be massive disruption to parking in neighbouring streets of North Adelaide?

What will happen to this important part of Park Lands? Will we still be able to walk on the ovals and parks around the new Crows headquarters or will they be fenced off? What happens to the schools, clubs and community organisations who currently use those grounds and facilities? Will trees, paths and other features have to be removed?

Will local businesses have to be compete with commercial businesses the Crows could operate on the site such as bars, cafes and restaurants? Will the Crows run a sports medicine clinic here like the one at West Lakes? Will there be a Crows merchandise shop?

Will ratepayers have to contribute to the Crows' Headquarters through Council subsidies or grants and how can we be sure any community facility run by the Crows, including a swimming pool/s, will provide the access we have now to much valued services like learn to swim classes and school swimming carnivals?

AND IF THE CROWS WIN THIS PART OF THE PARK LANDS HOW WILL THE ADELAIDE CITY COUNCIL BE ABLE TO SAY NO TO ANY PROFESSIONAL SPORTING OR COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION THAT WANTS ANOTHER PIECE OF THE PARK LANDS FOR A CLUB HOUSE, A STADIUM OR SOME OTHER STRUCTURE?

I strongly believe this proposal is not in the best interests of North Adelaide or the Park Lands. It's not too late. Make your voice heard and the most reasonable thing to do is to email or to talk to the elected members of Council who voted for detailed concept plans and against consulting you!