IT was the home of South Australian football for 40 years.

But now the stands of Football Park are being torn down to make way for a whole new community who will call West Lakes home.

After much internal work, major demolition has begun on the eastern stands. More than 100,000 tonnes of concrete and rubble will be removed, mostly to be recycled as roadbase and construction footings.

media_camera Demolition begins at Football Park, with the grandstand coming down. Picture: Sarah Reed

“The demolition process started some weeks ago, but now that the structures are dropping it’s all starting to feel a little more real,” said SANFL chief executive Jake Parkinson said.

“It’s an exciting moment because it means we’re another step closer to transforming this much loved asset into a future fund for football in South Australia.”

The demolition will be followed by construction of a 100-bed Uniting SA aged care home, a library, childcare centre, cafe and shops.

media_camera The grandstand at Football Park begins to be torn down, making room for a 1300-home development and aged-care home. Picture: Sarah Reed

Those projects are part of the broader, billion-dollar WEST development with 1300 homes.

Builder Commercial & General’s Chris Menz said about 200 residents had already moved into the development.

“It will be even better when the new Charles Street town centre and state-of-the-art Uniting SA aged care facility take shape,” he said.

The Adelaide Crows will continue to have access to the oval and their training centre through the eight-month demolition.

media_camera Major demolition at Football Park has begun. Picture: Sarah Reed

