(I suggest this thread be merged with the one I started yesterday)
stumpjumper wrote:What a site!
And that's only half of it - there's more around Keswick Terminal!
The government owns most of the Wayville Showgrounds site (the Royal Horticultural and Agricultural Society owns the Wayville Oval and some land adjacent where the Secretary's office is). At some time in the future the government is likely to be offered the Keswick Barracks.
Think of the opportunities of the two sites treated as one - straddling but well above in grade the metropolitan rail line, a stone's throw from the national rail terminus and with exceptionally good road links, at the edge of the CBD.
With recent spending at Wayville, it's unlikely that all of that site would be available, and it's unlikely that the RHAS would be keen to move, but the site must have its limits as a limited use showground. Arguments have been made for moving the Royal Show to Cheltenham, Gepps Cross and other sites.
Those who want to move it misunderstand the potential of the site. How often do we hear that the convention centre needs another upgrade? But the showgrounds already has more exhibition space than the Convention Centre ever will, and does have good conference facilities. Currently it's only the NE quadrant of the showgrounds that's suitable for this purpose, but there's no good reason why it can't be expanded to other parts of the showgrounds. Animal facilities will still be needed, but the animals usually stay at ground level. Other things, including hotels, could be built above them.
The Keswick site will definitely come up, but it's interesting the two spaces together, nevertheless.
Indeed - especially when you consider how they could enhance each other's value.
Yes, unusually for Adelaide the site's not constrained, and if it's successful it may prompt other businesses in the area to make better use of the space they take up. It will be even better if more of Keswick Creek can be daylighted and restored, though I'm not suggesting that be done in the showgrounds.
