Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Encyclopedia
The Adelaide Entertainment Centre (AEC) is an indoor arena located in the South Australia
n 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.
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 by John Bannon
, the then Premier of South Australia.
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 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."
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.
in South Australia.
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.
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.
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
n capital of Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, 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
Port Road, Adelaide
Port Road is a major road in Adelaide, South Australia connecting the central business district with Port Adelaide. It is 12 km long and exceptionally wide, approximately 70 m. When first conceived upon the establishment of Adelaide, it was designed to be able to accommodate a standard road, a...
in the suburb of Hindmarsh
Hindmarsh, South Australia
Hindmarsh is an inner urban suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in the City of Charles Sturt.-History:The suburb is named after South Australia's first Governor, Sir John Hindmarsh....
, just north of the Adelaide city centre
Adelaide city centre
The Adelaide city centre is the innermost locality of Greater Adelaide, known by locals simply as "The City" or "Town". The locality is split into two key geographical distinctions: the city "square mile", bordered by North, East, South and West Terraces; and that part of the Adelaide Parklands...
. 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 AustraliaGovernment of South Australia
The form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
in response to demand from the people of South Australia for a suitable venue
Music venue
A music venue is any location used for a concert or musical performance. Music venues range in size and location, from an outdoor bandshell or bandstand or a concert hall to an indoor sports stadium. Typically, different types of venues host different genres of music...
for international and local popular entertainment. Apollo Stadium
Apollo Stadium
Apollo Stadium was an indoor arena located at 41 Kingston Avenue, Richmond in the Adelaide Metropolitan Area, South Australia...
, 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 by John Bannon
John Bannon
John Charles Bannon AO is a former Australian politician. He was the 39th Premier of South Australia, leading the Labor Party to government at the 1982 election. The Bannon Labor government was re-elected at the 1985 election and the 1989 election...
, the then Premier of South Australia.
The South Australian Government assigned responsibility for the management of the AEC to the Grand Prix
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
Board in 1989. In August 1998, the Government established the Adelaide Entertainments Corporation. The first Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
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 and construction began on the $52 million upgrade. Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith
Jane Lomax-Smith
Jane Diane Lomax-Smith is a former Australian politician in the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Adelaide representing the Labor Party from 2002 to 2010, and Lord Mayor of Adelaide from 1997 to 2000...
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."
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
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
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
Adelaide Thunderbirds
The Adelaide Thunderbirds are an Australian netball team based in Adelaide that currently compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Thunderbirds were formed as one of the foundation teams of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy , previously the premier netball league in Australia, which was...
and the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic team from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The Thunderbirds won the grand final 52-42 in front of 9,300 fans.
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 auditoriumAuditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens.- Etymology :...
in South Australia.
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.
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.
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.See also
Adelaide concert venues include:- Adelaide Festival CentreAdelaide Festival CentreThe Adelaide Festival Centre, Australia's first multi-purpose arts centre, was built in 1973 and opened three months before the Sydney Opera House. The Festival Centre is located approximately 50 metres north of the corner of North Terrace and King William Street, lying near the banks of the River...
- Adelaide OvalAdelaide OvalThe Adelaide Oval is a sports ground in Adelaide, South Australia, located in the parklands between the Central Business District and North Adelaide...
- Memorial Drive ParkMemorial Drive ParkMemorial Drive Park, more generally referred to as "Memorial Drive", is a tennis venue, located adjacent to the Adelaide Oval, in the park lands surrounding the centre of Adelaide, South Australia...
- Thebarton TheatreThebarton TheatreThe Thebarton Theatre , is an entertainment venue located in the inner-western Adelaide suburb of Torrensville, South Australia. Constructed in 1926, it is one of the most popular medium size venues in Australia. With a capacity of 2000, it is often used by newly formed bands and established...