Development
Adelaide Oval's new lease on life
T
he Adelaide Oval is in the midst of a significant redevelopment, increasing capacity, improving patron comfort and providing upgraded facilities for staff, visitors and entertainers. Venue Manager speaks with Ed Sanderson, Manager, Venue and Operations at the South Australian Cricket Association. Venue Manager: The redevelopment of Adelaide Oval is extensive, and promises to deliver a lot in terms of amenities for visitors. How has the development impacted attendees’ experiences during the 2012/13 cricket summer? Ed Sanderson: Amenities at the Oval have been considerably affected for the 2012/13 summer of cricket, with the removal of three access gates at the south and east, removal of the Bradman Stand – incorporating media and broadcast infrastructure, corporate boxes, bars and kiosks – and the Chappell stands on the venue’s eastern boundary line removing further food and beverage amenities.
Attending patrons, including existing and new South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) members, have received the reduced venue positively. Extensive communication was relayed to attending patrons as to what to expect: ‘reduced capacity, minimal car parking available, reduced amenities and corporate facilities’, along with new directions for entry into the venue, a new members' access gate on Adelaide Oval No 2 (west of the venue) to make up for the three gates that were demolished, and, of course, the new public area on the northern mound, which included a decking area and increased seating capacity. Positively, our key clients – Cricket Australia and the Adelaide Strikers (Big Bash team) – have worked closely with us to ensure that the services they provide have not been affected. We were able to provide Cricket Australia with ample space to ensure sponsor activation areas and services were maintained, adding to the experience of patrons.
Attendances throughout the year have been pleasing, with 73,307 people attending the Vodafone Test match, a total of 53,594 attending the four KFC T20 Big Bash League matches, and 12,877 attending the Commonwealth Bank One Day International between Australia and Sri Lanka. VM: How has Adelaide Oval managed the development while still operating as a venue? ES: The South Australian Cricket Association’s redevelopment journey began following the conclusion of the 2011/12 cricket season, including relocating a staffing group of more than 80 people from the Adelaide Oval to office accommodation on the other side of Adelaide. Moving an onsite caretaker and his family from a house they had lived in for 25 years, relocating ground staff and their operating equipment whilst maintaining a multi-million dollar functions and catering business, and ensuring that the venue was available for public tours were all top of mind. continued on page 8
6 . VENUE MANAGER . VOLUME 2 NUMBER 1 2013