Adelaide Oval considers expanding roof attraction with zipline

February 22, 2019

The Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority (AOSMA) has been considering adding a zipline that would run from its roof and across the city's River Torrens.

The plan was revealed at a recent South Australian Parliamentary committee hearing into the South Australian Government's proposal to loan the Authority $42 million to build an onsite hotel.

Under questioning from MLC Frank Pangallo, Adelaide City Council said AOSMA had asked what Council permits would be required for a zipline (flying fox) to be installed between Adelaide Oval and another venue.

Lawyer Brett Kahland told the committee that while he could not share confidential details of the idea, "you could infer the trajectory" of the flying fox.

Reflecting moves by sporting venues around the world to broaden their product beyond matchdays, AOSMA Chair Kevin Scarce said that the idea was informally raised "at working level with the Council" more than 12 months ago.

He advised "there are no proposals before the board in relation to this matter.

"We make no apologies for exploring innovative ideas aimed at further growing the oval's popularity, tourism appeal and its brand."

In response, Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor labelled the Authority as "greedy and opportunistic" for wanting to expand commercial activities - such as the hotel - at the venue.

Lord Mayor Verschoor advised that the zipline idea had not been assessed by the Council and that any proposal would need to go through a consultation process.

Lord Mayor Verschoor slammed AOSMA's plans for expansion, and complained that the venue was growing commercial operations without paying council rates or land tax.

She advised "the Adelaide Oval (Redevelopment and Management) Act was a tool to redevelop the Oval, not to facilitate the expansionist ambitions of a greedy and opportunistic stadium management authority."

Pangallo said plans for the hotel showed Adelaide Oval had "aggressive expansion plans to make a buck".

He added "this will clearly compete with other cafes, hotels and entertainment facilities in the area."

The South Australian Government contends that the hotel is necessary to ensure that the Oval will be financially viable into the future.

The MCG considered and dropped a plan to add a zipline in 2016 while Auckland's Eden Park added a zipline in 2017.

In looking to add a zipline, AOSMA would again be emulating Eden Park, having introduced a golf event resembling the Auckland venue's ASB G9 last year.

Image: Adelaide Oval's Roof Climb experience.

13th July 2018 - New Perth Stadium bridge to offer climbing and zipline experiences

7th December 2017 - Zipline soars high above Auckland’s Eden Park

18th February 2016 - Plan to add zip line and roof walk attraction at the MCG

22nd January 2019 - Australia’s cultural attractions combine to launch new Global Tourism Initiative

12th December 2018 - City council objects to Adelaide Oval hotel proposal

27th November 2018 - Hotel to be integrated into Adelaide Oval

20th October 2018 - Sound enhanced at Adelaide Oval’s Riverbank Stand

23rd September 2018 - Interest in SANFL rises in advance of season-ending Adelaide Oval climax

17th September 2018 - Commonwealth Games Federation visits Adelaide venues in advance of potential 2026 bid

4th September 2018 - Adelaide Oval to launch in-stadium golf experience

25th August 2018 - Further AFL fan violence prompts Adelaide Oval investigation

23rd December 2016 - High praise for Adelaide Oval RoofClimb

21st November 2016 - Outcry over increased F&B prices at Adelaide Oval

3rd March 2016 - Adelaide Oval RoofClimb operator announces sponsor and begins taking bookings

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