Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium)

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brucetiki

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Nov 7, 2002
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Adelaide Oval was already beautiful ground. Has been for eons.
Loved going there once to watch the cricket from under the trees.

These other grounds are completely designed from scratch.
Eitihad surface sucks, so did the one for football at Homebush.
They got to get it right soon with these brand new stadiums.

So basically late 90's/early 00's stadium design and surfaces was shithouse :D
 

frenchconnection

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 16, 2009
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All about his legacy. The stadium is going to be all time. Doing the city link and the EQ at the same time was stupid and both are half finished and empty.
Yes agree - should have built the Stadium first and once completed and running should have then gone onto building Elizabeth Quay. However Col was probably worried that if Labor got in before Elizabeth Quay project commenced, it would never happen. Also took a gamble that the Mining boom would continue longer than it has. Of course the price of iron ore dropping to the extent it has and the loss in GST revenue has not helped the Governments cause!!
 

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Sep 8, 2011
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Yes agree - should have built the Stadium first and once completed and running should have then gone onto building Elizabeth Quay. However Col was probably worried that if Labor got in before Elizabeth Quay project commenced, it would never happen. Also took a gamble that the Mining boom would continue longer than it has. Of course the price of iron ore dropping to the extent it has and the loss in GST revenue has not helped the Governments cause!!
The ALP wouldn't have done it because there was no need for it yet... It's here now though.
 
Aug 27, 2006
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We aren't in Japan, there's a fair difference between the density and efficiency of the two countries. The public transport system in Perth runs at a massive loss

So does the Major Road and Freeway system, yet it isn't forced to justify it's existence in the public eye. The lack of a road pricing mechanism distorts the market and subsides suburban residential expansion.
 
Last edited:
Aug 27, 2006
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Which would have cost half the price, and which Pavlich would have had 2 or 3 seasons to play in. But Mueller park (which is nice - a bit like a small Flagstaff gardens in Melbourne) would have been gone.
And the second rate stadium part is debatable too, considering the tenders to architects weren't in.

No it wouldn't have. We'd have got a more expensive stadium built at an earlier date with skimp expenditure on associated infrastructure. In the end we're splitting hairs about the low hundreds of millions of dollars.
 
Aug 27, 2006
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The quay was like300m.....
All the money went on schools, hospitals all over the state not just the two big ones, but mostly roads, electricity and water.

Anyway. Glad this stadium is taking shape.

The Quay in the end is pretty cash flow neutral. The Government has sold substantial sites around it and recouped substantial amount of the build cost back.

As far as budgetary critiques go, the EQ is a red herring that is merely used to highlight the excesses of the Barnett Government. Never mind the fact that Labor started the ball rolling with the Waterfront under the hand of Alahnah MacTiernan.
 

Clems Knee

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 15, 2009
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No it wouldn't have. We'd have got a more expensive stadium built at an earlier date with skimp expenditure on associated infrastructure. In the end we're splitting hairs about the low hundreds of millions of dollars.

Yeh, I exaggerated. But the figures I saw compared at the time were 680 million dollars for a Subiaco stadium at Mueller Park compared to 1 billion dollars at Burswood. 320 million difference is a fair whack.
Of course, since then (2009), both estimates would have changed.
Building costs may have been higher because it wasn't totally a green fields site, but that doesn't factor in that the ground had to be compacted because it was a rubbish tip next to a river.
 

Lyyynnnchy

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Yeh, I exaggerated. But the figures I saw compared at the time were 680 million dollars for a Subiaco stadium at Mueller Park compared to 1 billion dollars at Burswood. 320 million difference is a fair whack.
Of course, since then (2009), both estimates would have changed.
Building costs may have been higher because it wasn't totally a green fields site, but that doesn't factor in that the ground had to be compacted because it was a rubbish tip next to a river.
The Burswood site has the capacity to be a sporting & riverfront entertainment precinct something the Subiaco site would never have been able to become.
 

Clems Knee

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 15, 2009
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The Burswood site has the capacity to be a sporting & riverfront entertainment precinct something the Subiaco site would never have been able to become.

Yep, that's true. And the venue is going to be superb for aerial shots taking in the city. I'm looking forward to it.

Just hope the place is still buzzing when there isn't a game or event on. Will Perth people go to a bar or restaurant in the area when the stadium isn't being used?
Then again, how many people are there in the area of the MCG when there's nothing on? (I'm asking, not a rhetorical question.)
 

Lyyynnnchy

Norm Smith Medallist
Oct 10, 2007
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Yep, that's true. And the venue is going to be superb for aerial shots taking in the city. I'm looking forward to it.

Just hope the place is still buzzing when there isn't a game or event on. Will Perth people go to a bar or restaurant in the area when the stadium isn't being used?
Then again, how many people are there in the area of the MCG when there's nothing on? (I'm asking, not a rhetorical question.)
The area directly surrounding the MCG isnt really an entertainment precinct so there isnt a lot of activity surrounding it. I imagine if there are some nice restaurants and bars plus a theatre, cinema, or something along those lines then we'll see plenty of action outside of game days. If you live south of the river and find Fremantle too far away, you're only option for a decent dinner with options for drinks afterwards is the city or Northbridge. Having grown up in South Perth my whole life prior to moving to Melbourne and now Sydney, I could definitely see myself frequenting a waterfront entertainment precinct outside of game days if it's done well.
 

JD Tomahawk

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Feb 17, 2015
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If they are putting in gardens and public park surrounding Perth stadium will the council and government then be hesitant to one day bulldoze a section to build something else like a rectangular stadium or tennis courts to make it a sports precinct?
 

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Sep 8, 2011
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If they are putting in gardens and public park surrounding Perth stadium will the council and government then be hesitant to one day bulldoze a section to build something else like a rectangular stadium or tennis courts to make it a sports precinct?
The state tennis centre is out there, which does need a redevelopment, however Perth Arena is all we need for the Hopman Cup. Our Rectangular stadium Perth Oval is located one stop away in East Perth. So we don't need any of that.
 

McCrann

Premiership Player
Nov 1, 2007
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Impressions from the Bundesliga.

81,349 people... huge huge crowd. 25,000 of these standing. Wouldn't work for AFL as the game is too long

Food and beverage is cheap. €4 for Döner, €3.70 for 0.5L beer, €2.90 for gluwhein, €4.20 for 0.5L red or white wine. Yep, 0.5L.

Food and Bev easily accessible in the concourse under the grandstands. You pay with a pre - loaded card. Cuts the wait time down drastically. Tap and go, no cash, no worries. I really liked it.

Leaving the stadium - not so good. Not enough metro carriages waiting at the ground. Took about 45 mins to clear from leaving the ground to being on the train. Sure, it's a big crowd. But could be better.

The city has 500,000 residents. 55,000 card holders, sold out 6 out of the 8 games this first half of the season. Plenty of tourism from the U.K. due to cheaper tickets and stadium experience. If a city similar to Newcastle NSW can pull this off (industrial mining town with next to no natural beauty), Perth has a chance.

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Hmm - a bit of creativity used with your figures here wadistance.

wadistance said:
The city has 500,000 residents. 55,000 card holders, sold out 6 out of the 8 games this first half of the season. Plenty of tourism from the U.K. due to cheaper tickets and stadium experience. If a city similar to Newcastle NSW can pull this off (industrial mining town with next to no natural beauty), Perth has a chance.

Dortmund is in the middle part of the state and is considered to be the administrative, commercial and cultural centre of the eastern Ruhr area. Its population of 581,612 (2015) makes it the 8th largest city in Germany. Moreover, Dortmund is the largest city by area and population in the Ruhr Area, an urban area with some 5.1 million (2011) inhabitants which is the largest urban agglomeration in Germany.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dortmund

This is a larger urban area than Melbourne with 1 main Football Club - hardly surprising they're able to fill an 80,000 stadium week in week out! Do you think if a place like Melbourne had just 1 main Football Club in the premier competition they'd be filling the MCG each week? I'd say almost certainly.

Saying Dortmund has a population of around "500,000" is like saying the City of Melbourne has a population of 130,000 or so - which is true - but highly misleading as it totally disregards the 4.5 million other people who would say they "live in Melbourne" - even though they don't actually! (By your definition I mean).
 

BulldogJake

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Jul 24, 2016
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The area directly surrounding the MCG isnt really an entertainment precinct so there isnt a lot of activity surrounding it. I imagine if there are some nice restaurants and bars plus a theatre, cinema, or something along those lines then we'll see plenty of action outside of game days. If you live south of the river and find Fremantle too far away, you're only option for a decent dinner with options for drinks afterwards is the city or Northbridge. Having grown up in South Perth my whole life prior to moving to Melbourne and now Sydney, I could definitely see myself frequenting a waterfront entertainment precinct outside of game days if it's done well.
3-4 days a week there's sports on in Melbourne Park which includes MCG, Rod Laver and Hisense Arenas, Margaret Court and AAMI Park - it's essentially a sports precinct with Collingwood's Lexus Centre also being in the precinct. On those off-days where there isn't any sport, Swan Street and Bridge Road are reasonably busy and also attract large crowds before and after sporting events.
 

blueboy25

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 14, 2006
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Yep, that's true. And the venue is going to be superb for aerial shots taking in the city. I'm looking forward to it.

Just hope the place is still buzzing when there isn't a game or event on. Will Perth people go to a bar or restaurant in the area when the stadium isn't being used?
Then again, how many people are there in the area of the MCG when there's nothing on? (I'm asking, not a rhetorical question.)

Personally I think WA Racing should sell Ascot race course and use the money to redevelop Belmont Park.

Imagine a big race day on a Saturday afternoon along with a game at the stadium that evening.
 

McCrann

Premiership Player
Nov 1, 2007
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Did see it (though not the WACA stuff you've listed) & regarded it as an attempt by the WACA to increase its relevance going forward from the Dennis Lillee era - came shortly after I heard Dennis on Melbourne radio canning the current regime (to be expected, he's gone now). I'm of the DK era & find it hard to even consider questioning anything he does or says, in awe even, I'm on his side ....

Cricket has a number of former employees on the Stadium management payroll, and that cant harm their cause, and does nothing for footy IMHO.
The success of the Scorchers in the BBL helps cricket and taking a line from Adelaide Oval, you'd expect Perth to follow.

I'm not sure a 15k Oval has any relevance, boutique stadium for what, certainly not WAFL footy, or Shield cricket, there are plenty of Ovals about town that will handle events in the less than 10k crowd range, why the WACA ground? The drop in pitches have ended its quick bouncy wicket.
The rectangular sports have redeveloped Perth Oval for their use so are not in the market for a 15k oval.

Politics at play in all this (shades of AO) & I see Perth going down the same path for the same sort of result.

WA footy has much to lose in my opinion & it is the only real money spinner from the AFL games, anything else is very speculative, even BBL which is riding the crest of a wave similar to the 50 over game.
That Trevor Nisbett & the Eagles are the public voice for footy in the negotiations makes sense to me, more voters than Freo or the WAFC.
Ron Alexander continues to play a role & he's long been a critic of the AFL & pro WA footy, good man off field that Alexander! Currently has the Project Director of the new stadium reporting to him.
The most recent suggestion that the clubs will be limited to 50k of the seats makes no sense to me, I'm sure if they run the numbers over 50, they would talk, why not 55, 54, 53 ... fixed costs are the same.

What say you REH?

All this tells me is that the first game of footy at the new stadium will be Fremantle v West Coast, not West Coast v Fremantle.

Good Friday 2018.

Lock it in Eddie.
 

BringBackTorps

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Jan 5, 2017
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Was there much debate in Perth, once the location of the new stadium had been decided, but before its design was completed, for the new stadium ITSELF to be a multi-function 365 day pa entertainment complex? Or was the state Govt. willing to allow these non-sporting game revenues to be captured by the nearby Burswood casino?

Soldiers Field Stadium in Chicago is seen as the modern prototype stadium, to maximise revenues 365 days pa. It has restaurants, a night club, reception rooms, art gallery etc which can all be visited, or hired out. (google Soldiers Field Stadium Chicago)

One of the reasons the AFL bought out Docklands early for about $200,000,000, before taking automatic ownership for $25 in 2025, was to transform the stadium with restaurants, a night club, reception/meeting rooms etc ie increase docklands revenues & profits, make it a 365 day pa venue.
This renovation work will mainly be on Harbour Esplanade, overlooking the waterfront.
The AFL hopes to get financial assistance from the state Govt., to upgrade the stadium, and public areas directly opposite the waterfront. Negotiations have just commenced.
The Docklands precinct (which is half finished) has been successful in building high rise commercial office buildings and luxury residential appartments -but the ground level restaurant area overlooking the water has been unsuccessful in attracting large numbers of visitors so far. The AFL is saying its plans will result in making the general precinct more popular with visitors -thus a Win /Win for it, the other surrounding businesses, and for Melbourne tourism.
 
Sep 8, 2011
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All this tells me is that the first game of footy at the new stadium will be Fremantle v West Coast, not West Coast v Fremantle.

Good Friday 2018.

Lock it in Eddie.
Derby round 1 is stupid. regardless of who hosts.

Obviously I am biased but having successful footy clubs due to sell outs is far more important than getting a few extra GA seats through, opposition fan allocation will naturally be higher than the small number at subi already. They should allow us to have 55k seats for members from the get go. GA won't sell 10k seats each week. It's not as though the Dockers couldn't have more GA initially to sell to to opposition fans than us.

I guess a good compromise is that they could cap 11 game memberships...

It would just be stupid, if the stadium could be sold out each week that the government would stop it.
 
Apr 10, 2004
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Was there much debate in Perth, once the location of the new stadium had been decided, but before its design was completed, for the new stadium ITSELF to be a multi-function 365 day pa entertainment complex? Or was the state Govt. willing to allow these non-sporting game revenues to be captured by the nearby Burswood casino?

Soldiers Field Stadium in Chicago is seen as the modern prototype stadium, to maximise revenues 365 days pa. It has restaurants, a night club, reception rooms, art gallery etc which can all be visited, or hired out. (google Soldiers Field Stadium Chicago)

One of the reasons the AFL bought out Docklands early for about $200,000,000, before taking automatic ownership for $25 in 2025, was to transform the stadium with restaurants, a night club, reception/meeting rooms etc ie increase docklands revenues & profits, make it a 365 day pa venue.
This renovation work will mainly be on Harbour Esplanade, overlooking the waterfront.
The AFL hopes to get financial assistance from the state Govt., to upgrade the stadium, and public areas directly opposite the waterfront. Negotiations have just commenced.
The Docklands precinct (which is half finished) has been successful in building high rise commercial office buildings and luxury residential appartments -but the ground level restaurant area overlooking the water has been unsuccessful in attracting large numbers of visitors so far. The AFL is saying its plans will result in making the general precinct more popular with visitors -thus a Win /Win for it, the other surrounding businesses, and for Melbourne tourism.

  • Facilities available for year round use for conferences, functions and meetings.
  • The function rooms on the western end provide spectacular views across the Swan River and can operate independently or combined, accommodating a total of 1,500 people in one connected space.
  • An a la carte and a buffet restaurant are located outside the Stadium, adjacent to the western entrance, providing a destination on both event and non-event days.
  • The former Burswood Golf Course clubhouse and function rooms will be redeveloped to provide bar and restaurant facilities for event and non-event days.
    • The BHP Billiton Amphitheatre in the Sports Precinct provides tiered seating for approximately 1,000 people and can host a range of events including outdoor movies, children’s plays and concerts.
Would say they have the whole 365 days a year thing covered.
 

wadistance

Norm Smith Medallist
Sep 17, 2011
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Hmm - a bit of creativity used with your figures here wadistance.



Dortmund is in the middle part of the state and is considered to be the administrative, commercial and cultural centre of the eastern Ruhr area. Its population of 581,612 (2015) makes it the 8th largest city in Germany. Moreover, Dortmund is the largest city by area and population in the Ruhr Area, an urban area with some 5.1 million (2011) inhabitants which is the largest urban agglomeration in Germany.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dortmund

This is a larger urban area than Melbourne with 1 main Football Club - hardly surprising they're able to fill an 80,000 stadium week in week out! Do you think if a place like Melbourne had just 1 main Football Club in the premier competition they'd be filling the MCG each week? I'd say almost certainly.

Saying Dortmund has a population of around "500,000" is like saying the City of Melbourne has a population of 130,000 or so - which is true - but highly misleading as it totally disregards the 4.5 million other people who would say they "live in Melbourne" - even though they don't actually! (By your definition I mean).

No, I am correct. If you look at the map of the Ruhr there are towns very dense that are close together. Koln has around 1m, Gelsenkirchen (Schalke)250k, Bochum 300k, Düsseldorf 600k, Monchengladbach 250k, Leverkusen 160k. You can drive between these towns in around an hour, yet they are all stand alone towns. So it's not far fetched to see that each town would feverishly support their team. I drove from Bochum to Koln past Düsseldorf today just in case you think I'm just a google journalist
 
Aug 14, 2011
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One of the reasons the AFL bought out Docklands early for about $200,000,000, before taking automatic ownership for $25 in 2025, was to transform the stadium with restaurants, a night club, reception/meeting rooms etc ie increase docklands revenues & profits, make it a 365 day pa venue.
This renovation work will mainly be on Harbour Esplanade, overlooking the waterfront.
The AFL hopes to get financial assistance from the state Govt., to upgrade the stadium, and public areas directly opposite the waterfront. Negotiations have just commenced.
The Docklands precinct (which is half finished) has been successful in building high rise commercial office buildings and luxury residential appartments -but the ground level restaurant area overlooking the water has been unsuccessful in attracting large numbers of visitors so far. The AFL is saying its plans will result in making the general precinct more popular with visitors -thus a Win /Win for it, the other surrounding businesses, and for Melbourne tourism.

The AFL hopes of tapping into State Govt in Vic has a direct competitor, the MCC & they are pitching for the same pot of gold.
 
Jul 2, 2010
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The AFL hopes of tapping into State Govt in Vic has a direct competitor, the MCC & they are pitching for the same pot of gold.

The government would be pretty keen to get the entire Docklands precinct up and running though - and not just for the sake of the AFL. The MCC pitch in its first stage is a billion dollar development and has no chance of getting off the ground IMO.
  • A $1 billion first stage of the redevelopment would see new pedestrian pathways built over Brunton Ave on both sides of the railway tracks, above the ground.
  • Stages two and three of the plan would see the rail tracks built over and a new public plaza, restaurants, bars, big screens, retail space and potentially a hotel, sports club administration or health club in their place.
The plan looks to be an expensive addendum to McGuires bright idea to overbuild the railway lines with a new stadium. And that has no chance of happening with the AFL keeping Etihad.
 

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