Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Adelaide Entertainment Centre
The Ent Cent
Location	Corner Port Rd and Adam St, Hindmarsh, South Australia
Coordinates	34°54′30″S 138°34′25″E / 34.90833°S 138.57361°E / -34.90833; 138.57361Coordinates: 34°54′30″S 138°34′25″E / 34.90833°S 138.57361°E / -34.90833; 138.57361
Broke ground	1990
Opened	20 July 1991
Owner	South Australian Government
Operator	Adelaide Entertainments Corporation
Surface	Customisable
Construction cost	A$44m (initial cost) A$52m (2007-2010 upgrade)[1]
Capacity	Total: 12,000[2]

The Adelaide Entertainment Centre (AEC) is an indoor arena located in the South Australian capital of Adelaide, and is used for sporting and entertainment events. It is the principal venue for concerts, events and attractions for audiences between 2,000 and 12,000. It is located on Port Road in the suburb of Hindmarsh, just north of the Adelaide city centre. With modern architecture and acoustics, function rooms and award winning catering, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre provides a live entertainment venue for hundreds of thousands of people each year. In 2010 the Adelaide Entertainment Centre completed a $52m redevelopment with a new entry and Theatre complex.

History

The AEC was established by the Government of South Australia in response to demand from the people of South Australia for a suitable venue for international and local popular entertainment. Apollo Stadium, which had been Adelaide's primary venue for indoor attractions since 1969, was increasingly considered to be too small to meet this need. The AEC was built at a cost of $44 million, and was officially opened on 20 July 1991^[3] by John Bannon, the then Premier of South Australia.

Before the AEC was built it was proposed (and generally believed by the people of Adelaide) that it would also be the new home of the Adelaide 36ers who played in the National Basketball League as they played their home games at Apollo and a move there when it opened seemed natural as ticket demand for the 36ers was more than twice what the old stadium could hold. However, both Basketball SA and the 36ers wanted their own venue and thus the 8,000 seat Clipsal Powerhouse was opened in 1992.

The South Australian Government assigned responsibility for the management of the AEC to the Grand Prix Board in 1989. In August 1998, the Government established the Adelaide Entertainments Corporation. The first Board of Directors for the AEC was formally appointed on 9 February 1999. The current Board consists of seven Directors.

In 2007, the Rann Government announced plans to renovate the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The State Government released the statement: "The State Government is committed to the vision of creating a vibrant entertainment and media precinct on the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Site". On 6 August 2007, the renovation plans were passed^{[by whom?]} and construction began on the $52 million upgrade. Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said: "the upgrade comes on the back of a record-breaking last 12 months, with more than 370,000 passing through the centre's doors, and record profits recorded."^{[citation needed]}

The renovation included: major upgrades of the foyer, backstage area and corporate facilities; creation of additional car parking; new staging and curtains; renovation of administration areas; and restoration of the heritage-listed Revelations Chapel for use as a wedding and function venue. 8000 new seats were also installed.

The centre not only holds music and cultural events, but hosts the occasional sporting event also. Since 2004 it has been a regular stop for World Wrestling Entertainment shows on their Australian tours, and on 7 November 2010 it played host to the ANZ Championship grand final between local team the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic team from New Zealand. The Thunderbirds won the grand final 52-42 in front of 9,300 fans.^[4]

Centre features

The footprint of the site is 28,900 square metres, (approx 3 ha or 7 acres), and includes a large foyer area, a 2,680 square metre event arena, seven function rooms, car parking, logistic facilities and administrative offices. The arena is the largest auditorium in South Australia.^{[citation needed]}

The centre it is capable of operating in several different modes, including an 'intimate' mode (2,000-4,500 patrons), end stage mode (4,500-7,500 patrons) and '360 degree' mode. With a general admission floor and Corporate level seating, the maximum capacity of the AEC is 12,000.^[5]

The AEC has a complete in-house catering operation that provides for audience food and beverage requirements, as well as banquet, function, seminar, tradeshow, corporate suites and backstage requirements. The AEC also provides corporate hospitality in the form of 31 suites that are leased on a 2 - 5 year basis.^{[citation needed]}

Car Parks

On site parking is available for approximately 700 cars, however, early arrival is recommended for concert goers and the normal cost is $10. Park & Ride is now operating from 6:30am to 6:30pm, 7 days a week, for minimal charge of $2 per day and free tram ride to the City.

Transport

A taxi stand is situated on Port Road directly adjacent to the main entrance of the AEC. Bus stops are located on Port Road and Manton Street (rear of the AEC) within close walking distance. The Bowden Train Station is located within a minute's walking distance from the main entrance of the AEC. The completion of the new tram extension, which stops at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Station, allows further access to and from the City and Glenelg.

Ticketing

All tickets for concerts or events at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre can be purchased through Ticketek by phone or online.^[6]

See also

Adelaide concert venues include:

• Adelaide Festival Centre
• Adelaide Oval
• Memorial Drive Park
• Thebarton Theatre

References

External links

• Adelaide Entertainment Centre

This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (September 2007)