Images: City of Marion Council
The home of countless buzzer-beaters, slam dunks and ankle-breakers over six decades has officially begun coming down. Marion has called time on the South Adelaide Basketball Club’s beloved Norfolk Road stadium, affectionately known as ‘The Shed’.
The old ‘Shed’ built its reputation through simplicity, where the echoes of referee whistles, sneaker squeaks and roaring crowds became the soundtrack to generations of local basketball. Mayor Kris Hanna says saying goodbye is bittersweet, but the demolition marks the beginning of an 18-month build for a new $25 million stadium designed to meet soaring demand.
“I could see there were a lot of building plans literally sitting on the shelf … In the end, the balancing act was between the huge demand versus the cost … the council decided it was worth it,” says Mayor Hanna.
One by one, the council has ticked off projects outlined in a 2015 strategy, with the basketball stadium now the final major piece of the puzzle. The new stadium will welcome the community into a sleek, soundproof facility tailored for the club’s next chapter while preserving the ‘Shed’s’ legacy.
“It’s not only going to be a great benefit for the basketball players, but also, with modern construction, it’s going to be much better for the surrounding residents.”
Gone are the days when spectators sat on little wooden boxes that lined three sides of the court, as the new stadium is set to comfortably seat 750 people, from family and friends to spectators and fans. It will feature everything a modern basketball stadium needs, including a referees’ and first aid room, spacious admin office and a professional presentation space where teams can properly celebrate their achievements.
The four-court stadium will also feature a dedicated display for club memorabilia, including trophies and pennants, ensuring the spirit of ‘The Shed’ lives on inside its modern replacement.
“There’s a lot of sentimental attachment and people who are well into their seventies and eighties now will remember it back in the day … Marion was very different then.”
Today, the South Adelaide Basketball Club supports thousands of players, from four-year-olds taking their first shots to adults still pulling on the jersey decades later. The stadium will also be available for schools and community groups, extending its role in the area beyond competitive basketball.
“It’s a really big win for the community.”
When: Expected 2028
Where: 30 Norfolk Rd, Marion SA 5043
For more info, head over to the City of Marion Council Website
