Opinion Ways To Improve Game Day Experience On The GC

[Matchu]

personally i dont find transport a concern. although the north supporters i spoke to damned it. locals will always find the easiest route. it is the opposition fans we need to cater for.

timeslots is a catch 22. prime time on tele means late nights and smaller crowds. my guess is as we get better, we are going to get bigger crowds...and prime time slots.

opponents.i dont know much about the politics of the draw. but i would guess that the biggest drawing crowds are going to get home games for big matches? if thats the case, we do need to help opposition supporters get to metricon?

Well seeing as Tourism is our biggest industry, you'd think the Gold Coast City Council would want to make it easy for oppositions fans to get to the stadium. Doesn't help that virtually none of the hotel employees here know how it works either. The crowd of 13.7k on the weekend against the Crows showed me that people are willing to go if it isn't raining and isn't at the 7.40pm time slot. Hoping for a crowd of 20k+ in the Collingwood game.

I can't stress this enough, shuttle buses aren't going to work long term. It took 20-25 minutes to get to Metricon from one of the parking lots (usually a 10 minute drive at most) on the shuttle bus. Probably had something to do with the Mudgeeraba show but that is just not good enough and people are going to be late. I really, really think there should be a tram line from Pacific Fair in Broabeach to Metricon that connects to Nerang station. It just makes so much sense to me. Do you think I'm way off with that suggestion?

I think I know the answer to this question, but darkwingduck, is public transport (to the stadium) in Melbourne free on game day? It is here but I think that is something only we do...

 

[Dammit]

Firstly, yes you have turned me off coming to games now. I refuse to sit and take part in any sort of flag raising to a Beatles song haha.

The transport in Melbs on gameday is free if you have a ticket - I think. I'm honestly not 100% though. Given that no-one at all pays for trams or indeed trains (if its a big game they open the gates at Richmond/Flinders/Spencer) I've never had to find out! As a complete side note, the new myki system is a joke. Metcards were immeasurably better.

Is it at all possible for the Suns in the future to purchase a luxury apartment building? Or strike some sort of deal? Wouldn't it be a good idea to offer a complete holiday/football package to fans across the country, where everything including transport, accommodation etc is taken care for you?

 

[Matchu]

Firstly, yes you have turned me off coming to games now. I refuse to sit and take part in any sort of flag raising to a Beatles song haha.

The transport in Melbs on gameday is free if you have a ticket - I think. I'm honestly not 100% though. Given that no-one at all pays for trams or indeed trains (if its a big game they open the gates at Richmond/Flinders/Spencer) I've never had to find out! As a complete side note, the new myki system is a joke. Metcards were immeasurably better.

Is it at all possible for the Suns in the future to purchase a luxury apartment building? Or strike some sort of deal? Wouldn't it be a good idea to offer a complete holiday/football package to fans across the country, where everything including transport, accommodation etc is taken care for you?

Haha it's actually pretty easy to ignore the flag raising if you aren't interested. Yeah that's what they do here. You have to have your ticket before you get on the public transport though. Have to agree, I bought a myki last year when I flew down during the Grand Final and wasn't really a fan. Metcards were far superior. We have a similar situation up here with Go Cards.

That's actually a really good idea about getting a deal with some hotels in Surfers. Funnily enough the vacant land next to Metricon Stadium was bought by a Chinese developer earlier this year (Read More). Given the Chinese group is building a $1 billion project in Surfers named Jewel, I would like to think they will develop the area into a really nice hotel next to Metricon Stadium. Would be awesome if they added bars/nightclubs at the venue as well. It would also bridge the gap between Metricon and Nerang train station. Lots of positives if they do something nice with it.

 

[Iva Bigun]

For me the 7:40 games are super tough, I live in Brisbane and have 3 young kids, the game starts AFTER the 2 youngest ones normal bedtime and we get home around 11:30pm. I haven't missed one ( a 7:40 game) yet but it will happen if we continue to get 5 plus home games at that time of night each year. The club knows its future is in the kids and have asked for earlier game times, hopefully the AFL listen (for a change)

 

[Big Red Machine]

For me the 7:40 games are super tough, I live in Brisbane and have 3 young kids, the game starts AFTER the 2 youngest ones normal bedtime and we get home around 11:30pm. I haven't missed one ( a 7:40 game) yet but it will happen if we continue to get 5 plus home games at that time of night each year. The club knows its future is in the kids and have asked for earlier game times, hopefully the AFL listen (for a change)

We saw you mate, You were positively dancing at the thought of a 1:40 start.

 

[SUNS]

We saw you mate, You were positively dancing at the thought of a 1:40 start.

Yeah myself, Lord Flasheart and Big Red Machine were all envious of your Harlem Shaking abilities.

Respect to you Iva Bigun

 

[Matchu]

For me the 7:40 games are super tough, I live in Brisbane and have 3 young kids, the game starts AFTER the 2 youngest ones normal bedtime and we get home around 11:30pm. I haven't missed one ( a 7:40 game) yet but it will happen if we continue to get 5 plus home games at that time of night each year. The club knows its future is in the kids and have asked for earlier game times, hopefully the AFL listen (for a change)

So you can confirm the club has pushed for games to start before 7:40pm? Great news, if true. Now we just need the AFL to make it happen. Do you know if the Suns have pushed for any changes to public transport? Seems to be the transport and timeslot are the biggest issues for the club moving forward.

 

[Iva Bigun]

Yeah myself, Lord Flasheart and Big Red Machine were all envious of your Harlem Shaking abilities.

Respect to you Iva Bigun

That was just the meth kicking in

 

[Iva Bigun]

So you can confirm the club has pushed for games to start before 7:40pm? Great news, if true. Now we just need the AFL to make it happen. Do you know if the Suns have pushed for any changes to public transport? Seems to be the transport and timeslot are the biggest issues for the club moving forward.

Travis Auld was the source on early games, I didn't ask about public transport

 

[Matchu]

After doing some research I have discovered some good news and some bad news. Firstly, the route I laid out for a tram to Metricon in a previous post will become what will be called a rapid bus route (route 745) that will begin at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, stop at Carrara Markets and Metricon Stadium and then finish at Nerang train station. This will take effect around June 2014 to coincide with the initial tram line opening.

If you look through this transport strategy you can find out everything you need to know. There is one really important part in that pdf:

The rapid bus routes would progressively be replaced by light rail as patronage warrants.

Now all we need to do is show the Gold Coast City Council that there is enough use for the route to be transformed into a tram line as soon as possible. Big Day Out and the Gold Coast Show being held in Carrara will help drive home this fact while the AFL in the winter months will show there is a need all year round. A Big Bash League Cricket team at Metricon would also show a great need for the route to be transferred into a tram line ASAP.

To give people an idea of what this would mean, the tram (fits 309 people max) could transport about 15,000 people to the stadium in the two and a half hour period before the game that the shuttle buses start to run. It would only require 4 trams on the tracks going east and west running to run at peak times (1 tram every 7.5 mins) and would take about 22 minutes (15 mins to go the distance, 4 mins for either of track, 2 mins for in between stops, 1 min for traffic lights) to run from one end to the other. This would clearly make a huge difference.

 

[Dammit]

What's the bad news? Haha

 

[Matchu]

What's the bad news? Haha

The bad news is that we have to convince the Gold Coast City Council that this is a high priority. It's not on the cards at the moment but it will be if enough people use it regularly. What do you make of the idea? Not sure how you are with your Gold Coast geography but the eastern end of my proposed tram line stops in between the casino and a major shopping centre, is 50 metres from the north-south tram line (links to Surfers Paradise) and is a few blocks from the beach.

 

[Matchu]

What's the bad news? Haha

Also, how do you think it would compare to things in Melbourne? I'd imagine they'd be able to transport more than 15,000 people to a stadium in two and a half hours down there haha.

 

[Dammit]

Yeah I mean, imho trams are the best mode of light transport so if it happens then that's just good news for everyone. I thought by your initial post that is was sort of a fait accompli that it would be upgraded eventually. I guess we should all start using it as much we can - and most importantly buy a ticket so it is an accurate measure of the numbers using the 'rapid buses'.

 

[Iva Bigun]

Trams are a high infrastructure cost, Buses can be used when required and re routed when not (a tram can't) wont happen IMO as apart from these event days no one would be using it.

$1 Billion buys a lot of Buses

 

[Matchu]

Trams are a high infrastructure cost, Buses can be used when required and re routed when not (a tram can't) wont happen IMO as apart from these event days no one would be using it.

$1 Billion buys a lot of Buses

I understand what you mean. I just think it is such an important route on weekends. You have Pacific Fair/Jupiters Casino, Carrara Markets, Metricon Stadium and Nerang Station. All four of those stops attract quite a bit of people on weekends. Am I just blindly hoping for something that is never going to eventuate?

If it were to cost $1 billion to build that one route then I can't see any way in which the council will push for it unless some serious developments are undertaken on the route.

 

[Chasing the Dream]

Transport is the issue for Metricon.

I am a keen NEAFL follower as well and the shuttle buses don't even start until well after the NEAFL game has started.

Parking used to be an option, but the council took that option out of the area we used, now my only choice is to pay a $20 parking fee and then battle to get out of the golf course.

If I do use public transport (which isn't really an option as I want to see the curtain raiser) it would take me ages to get there from Parkwood. Why don't they have shuttles from Southport??

 

[SUNS]

Transport is the issue for Metricon.

I am a keen NEAFL follower as well and the shuttle buses don't even start until well after the NEAFL game has started.

Parking used to be an option, but the council took that option out of the area we used, now my only choice is to pay a $20 parking fee and then battle to get out of the golf course.

If I do use public transport (which isn't really an option as I want to see the curtain raiser) it would take me ages to get there from Parkwood. Why don't they have shuttles from Southport??

The shuttle does not start until a bit later but the normal busses still run every 15 minutes to get to the stadium. Free transport with your game ticket too. Leaves a 350m walk from the bus stop to the closest gate

Parking at the school is only $10. Try there.

 

[Big Red Machine]

The shuttle does not start until a bit later but the normal busses still run every 15 minutes to get to the stadium. Free transport with your game ticket too. Leaves a 350m walk from the bus stop to the closest gate

Parking at the school is only $10. Try there.

If Suns and I can make the walk, So can everyone

 

[SUNS]

Albeit with a lot of whinging and sooking.

 

[Big Red Machine]

Albeit with a lot of whinging and sooking.

and then we started walking.... HEYO!

 

[Plogs]

G’day guys. I was going to start a new thread about my queries but I felt that this one is in the ballpark. A mate & myself are going to the Pies game on 20/07 (4:40 twilight). First time at Metricon. From what I have seen on TV, is there standing room behind the goals? Or anywhere else? If we book reserved seats somewhere, can we move to a standing area if we wish? Can we just get tickets at the gate instead of booking on-line? – We will be looking at wet areas.

Also, we are playing a round of golf @ Emerald Lakes across the road beforehand. Decent course? From what I can tell they have decent bar facilities for some after golf/pre game beverages. How long would 2 of us in a cart take to get around?

Cheers.

 

[SUNS]

Standing room behind the northern end goals (Scoreboard end) and various other spots around the eastern side. I would pre book tickets just to be safe.

 

[Matchu]

Transport is the issue for Metricon.

I am a keen NEAFL follower as well and the shuttle buses don't even start until well after the NEAFL game has started.

Parking used to be an option, but the council took that option out of the area we used, now my only choice is to pay a $20 parking fee and then battle to get out of the golf course.

If I do use public transport (which isn't really an option as I want to see the curtain raiser) it would take me ages to get there from Parkwood. Why don't they have shuttles from Southport??

Certainly is an issue. This is why I would like a light rail line to the stadium ASAP. I believe there is a shuttle to the game from the Southport Sharks but that may not be an option for you.

G’day guys. I was going to start a new thread about my queries but I felt that this one is in the ballpark. A mate & myself are going to the Pies game on 20/07 (4:40 twilight). First time at Metricon. From what I have seen on TV, is there standing room behind the goals? Or anywhere else? If we book reserved seats somewhere, can we move to a standing area if we wish? Can we just get tickets at the gate instead of booking on-line? – We will be looking at wet areas.

Also, we are playing a round of golf @ Emerald Lakes across the road beforehand. Decent course? From what I can tell they have decent bar facilities for some after golf/pre game beverages. How long would 2 of us in a cart take to get around?

Cheers.

There is most certainly standing room up the northern end goals and as SUNS pointed out, more along the eastern side. I would book the tickets if I were you considering the last time the Pies played here it sold out and (I think) quite a few were turned away at the gates. I don't play Golf but from all accounts Emerald Lakes is quite good. The Suns players often use the course. If you were looking for a really good course you could head over the Nerang river (like 2 mins drive from Metricon) to the Royal Pines Resort. The Australian PGA Championships are going to be held there for the first time later this year and is no doubt the best course on the Coast.

Also, you may want to see this post I made about attending games at Metricon here.

 

[Matchu]

Something I have been wanting an AFL team to do for a while now is set up a trophy/honours area. To the best of my knowledge, no AFL teams currently does it but given the Suns are the only tenant of Metricon Stadium, I think they could make it happen. Below is an example of how other sports do it:

Boston Celtics Championship banners

Real Madrid trophy cabinet

Now most of you would know that premiership teams receive two things when they win a premiership which includes:

The Flag (Sydney Swans 2012 premiership flag)

The Trophy (Sydney Swans with the 2012 trophy)

I would really like the club to set up an area at Metricon Stadium that the fans are able to walk past that showcases their achievements/honours. I'd also like the walls to show future premiership teams and Brownlow medallists. I really do believe not having any other tenants makes this possible for the Suns and would create a unique experience for the fans. Something to be proud of too. Anyone else think this is a good idea?