The Port Adelaide Football Club welcomes the decision by the Port Adelaide Enfield Council to approve the Alberton Oval precinct redevelopment.

Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson thanked the Port Adelaide Enfield Council for their support.

“We welcome the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Council’s decision after what has been a thorough and detailed consultation process,” Mr Richardson said.

“Our vision is to develop a precinct that provides world-class facilities for our AFL and AFLW athletes, but also enables increased access for community sport.

“Equally, the redevelopment will provide more open green space for casual and passive recreation for the local community to enjoy.

“We are also excited about transforming the AFLW match day experience, just as we did in the AFL when we moved to Adelaide Oval in 2014. We have some exciting plans which will ensure AFLW match days at Alberton Oval are fantastic family friendly events.”

Mr Richardson said that funding for the re-development is largely in place with positive conversations also continuing with the Commonwealth Government to finalise funding for the total project.

“We continue very positive discussions with the Commonwealth Government regarding the final funding component for the Alberton Oval precinct re-development,” Mr Richardson said.

“This is consistent with similar funding commitments made to 15 of the 18 AFL Clubs over the last three years, including for the Adelaide Football Club’s aquatic centre proposal several years ago.

“These projects are all in support of improving elite female sport facilities across the country and optimizing elite sports facilities investments to create multi-use recreation and sport precincts that the whole community can benefit from.

“This week we commenced the $2 million upgrade to the Fos Williams Family Stand changerooms and in March 2022 we are excited to re-open the $5 million transformation of the R.B Quinn Stand and social club facility at Alberton Oval.

“Our people haven’t been able to connect with the Club over these last two years due to COVID so the ability to welcome our people and our community back to Alberton Oval is something we are really looking forward to.

“I think our people will be blown away when they see what we’ve been able to do, primarily thanks to the support of some incredibly generous benefactors. The upgrade to the Fos Williams Family stand  changerooms to cater for women’s football and AFLW is being supported through Office of Recreation and Sport’s Regional and Districts Facilities grants program.

“Last night’s approval paves the way for this exciting re-development to start early in 2022. It is a very exciting time for the Port Adelaide Football Club.”