News GMHBA Stadium Stage 5 Redevelopment

[Spearman]

Big, nice, space age stadiums are all well and nice, but I like when they do homage to the tradition and heritage of the area. US baseball parks are good at this, Wrigley, Baltimore, Fenway etc. Soldier Field in Chicago used to be a heap but to me looked cool with its Greek temple structures, same with the LA Coliseum. It would be nice if they could keep some of that style amidst the steel and glass. I like the SCG in this regard. I detested the old Kingdome in Seattle. I haven't been to the new fields there, but there isn't much heritage to build on so I'm sure there adequate.

 

[Dawn to Dark]

Think the club will look at it like this

2018: Play Games as Normal
2019: Construction Starts on Stage 5, Ground Capacity reduced
2020: Stage 5 Completed in May

I'd expect Stage 6 to be done (Reg Hickey Stand demolition, Premiership Stand Refurbishment) in 2025-2027

 

[Turbocat]

Think the club will look at it like this

2018: Play Games as Normal
2019: Construction Starts on Stage 5, Ground Capacity reduced
2020: Stage 5 Completed in May

I'd expect Stage 6 to be done (Reg Hickey Stand demolition, Premiership Stand Refurbishment) in 2025-2027

Id like to see them justify that while they are still in debt.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

What happens to the Ablett terrace?

Exactly! I love the Ablett Terrace, it's either there or the Peroni Lounge for me!

Really, really hope the new stand is the Ablett Stand, with pix of GAS + GAJ

Cook said pre-match on the Rush Hour that figure of 36K was not really practical, as it accounts for the 4 function rooms being full as well as all seats being filled and standing room allocation being exhausted (which is impossible). He said (from memory) that the realistic capacity was 33.5-34K, and that they normally get around 10% no shows. That means that the crowd they got was only just short of what they were hoping for, which was 31K.

Given that almost all reserved seat packages have been sold, I don't think that it is quite right to say that we will struggle to fill the ground. The general admission section was where the crowd was lacking, so given better circumstances (such as decent form in the three weeks leading up to the match), I feel like there would be more walk ups and therefore a better crowd.

Also, the last upgrade is needed in order to attract other sports, and therefore get more use out of the stadium. The facilities for cricket at the moment are sub-standard, and if they are to attract international cricket (bringing huge economic benefits to the region) or even BBL, these need to be upgraded.

I take your point about it perhaps not being worth the money and that there are other, more important things to spend the money on, however I disagree with the argument that the crowd numbers we get don't warrant the last upgrade.

Love your drawings Tyzza!

How much of the extra seating in Stage 5 will go to Corporate seating/boxes?

 

[The rabbi]

Exactly! I love the Ablett Terrace, it's either there or the Peroni Lounge for me!

Really, really hope the new stand is the Ablett Stand, with pix of GAS + GAJ




Love your drawings Tyzza!

How much of the extra seating in Stage 5 will go to Corporate seating/boxes?

Probably not much if any. It will probably be a bare bones stand like the "Players Stand" at the South or Barwon River end.

 

[Boxhead_31]

What happens to the Ablett terrace?

Pretty sure Cookie said there still will be standing room most likely in front of the access ramps to the Hickey stand

 

[Deep]

Think the club will look at it like this

2018: Play Games as Normal
2019: Construction Starts on Stage 5, Ground Capacity reduced
2020: Stage 5 Completed in May

I'd expect Stage 6 to be done (Reg Hickey Stand demolition, Premiership Stand Refurbishment) in 2025-2027

If S5 is 40000 people how many would S6 be looking at?

 

[you pick one]

Id like to see them justify that while they are still in debt.

I've been tolled stage 5 commencement 2019 is the plan,the Andrews government is committed to infrastructure in the Geelong region to boost the economy,the club debt won't be a big factor.

 

[you pick one]

Still was happening in the 80's. Especially wet days for some reason. Before the GA terrace the city end was just a hill and I saw it happen multiple times...once I started to go with the other half .. I decided to get seats in a stand. In the 50's and 60's ..those big finals where it was over 100,00 all standing ..I have been told plenty of coke bottles were kept on hand because... as you say..they could not get out.

And ... is it about time for a rename of the thread to the Alphabet stadium? ie GMHBA... etc dazbroncos ..

Late 60s we were buying large VB and Fosters cans at the ground,they were duel purpose.

 

[Turbocat]

I've been tolled stage 5 commencement 2019 is the plan,the Andrews government is committed to infrastructure in the Geelong region to boost the economy,the club debt won't be a big factor.

Yes... although the comment related to Stage6 the rebuilding of Hickey ..basically starting again.

 

[you pick one]

Yes... although the comment related to Stage6 the rebuilding of Hickey ..basically starting again.

It will be interesting to see just how much more money goes into KP,there will be a complete relocation I expect at some stage.I'll be pushing up daisies by then,my guess 2049 start.Feel free to bump thread then.

 

[JohnZ]

If S5 is 40000 people how many would S6 be looking at?

Only reason you would demo the Hickey Stand and rebuild is if you're serious about remodelling the whole area behind the stand, ie shops and street are removed and moved respectively. In theory, assuming the PP stand and the stand which will replace the Ablett terrace have been built correctly (ie, construction can go right up to the stands, no gaps), and that moorabool st is no longer a boundary of the precinct (ie, it gets moved sideways or underneath ala brunton ave), then +5k is an achievable target, way more if they decide to go three tier in both Stages 5/6.

edit: I don't expect Stage 6 to happen for a very long time, I guess it depends on what happens re: Docklands renovations, world cups and the like.

 

[The rabbi]

I've been tolled stage 5 commencement 2019 is the plan,the Andrews government is committed to infrastructure in the Geelong region to boost the economy,the club debt won't be a big factor.

Too much New Years cheer YPO.

 

[JohnZ]

Too much New Years cheer YPO.

Well he will be paying for it one way or the other...

 

[you pick one]

Too much New Years cheer YPO.

No just poor spelling,born in Geelong of Aussie parents and never once got an English mark much over 50%,just as well I had other skills to survive.Happy New Year rabs.

 

[Turbocat]

It will be interesting to see just how much more money goes into KP,there will be a complete relocation I expect at some stage.I'll be pushing up daisies by then,my guess 2049 start.Feel free to bump thread then.

A complete relocation ... where would you guess that to be to? Before all this started when Cook first came to Geelong the club was looking at playing all its games in Melb ..which certainly would have consequences for the club imo. I wonder how many Geelong people would continue to follow them if that was the case. .so I'd hope they would continue to be local. Years ago they were talking about redeveloping the trotting ground , and I guess they could look at the Eastern Gardens ..not too many obvious spots in town ..id have thought... and who knows what it would be like by 2050. As you say. Daisy pushups for me too.

 

[you pick one]

Well he will be paying for it one way or the other...

That's clever

 

[you pick one]

A complete relocation ... where would you guess that to be to? Before all this started when Cook first came to Geelong the club was looking at playing all its games in Melb ..which certainly would have consequences for the club imo. I wonder how many Geelong people would continue to follow them if that was the case. .so I'd hope they would continue to be local. Years ago they were talking about redeveloping the trotting ground , and I guess they could look at the Eastern Gardens ..not too many obvious spots in town ..id have thought... and who knows what it would be like by 2050. As you say. Daisy pushups for me too.

I think the Avalon Airport could be developed into a World class sporting complex,Stadium, Golf Course, Pool,Tennis centre,Hotel and convention centre.
You would need to put in a rail spur,and grease the palm of Lindsay Foxes heirs.

 

[Dawn to Dark]

A complete relocation ... where would you guess that to be to? Before all this started when Cook first came to Geelong the club was looking at playing all its games in Melb ..which certainly would have consequences for the club imo. I wonder how many Geelong people would continue to follow them if that was the case. .so I'd hope they would continue to be local. Years ago they were talking about redeveloping the trotting ground , and I guess they could look at the Eastern Gardens ..not too many obvious spots in town ..id have thought... and who knows what it would be like by 2050. As you say. Daisy pushups for me too.

I think the Avalon Airport could be developed into a World class sporting complex,Stadium, Golf Course, Pool,Tennis centre,Hotel and convention centre.
You would need to put in a rail spur,and grease the palm of Lindsay Foxes heirs.

All airlines will soon pull out of Avalon with what I'm hearing
Government is looking at a second airport in Koo Wee Rup similar to Badgeryes Creek in Sydney, could do something closer surely. Avalon should become a premier housing estate and shopping mall with hotels and co

Don't think they'll ever move from KP, wouldn't be surprised if another ground is built though, maybe a 15K seater for Cricket or Local Footy.

Finally, what we need is for Geelong Trains to move out of RRL or not stop at Tarneit, Wyndham Vale and Footscray. Travel times potentially faster via Werribee especially if Metro2 is built, travel time could be 40 mins

 

[Turbocat]

All airlines will soon pull out of Avalon with what I'm hearing
Government is looking at a second airport in Koo Wee Rup similar to Badgeryes Creek in Sydney, could do something closer surely. Avalon should become a premier housing estate and shopping mall with hotels and co

Don't think they'll ever move from KP, wouldn't be surprised if another ground is built though, maybe a 15K seater for Cricket or Local Footy.

Finally, what we need is for Geelong Trains to move out of RRL or not stop at Tarneit, Wyndham Vale and Footscray. Travel times potentially faster via Werribee especially if Metro2 is built, travel time could be 40 mins

Be very short term thinking ..to go from Avalon imo. Koo Wee Rup is 70 Ks from the MCG so no help fro people this side of melb..but who knows.. gov tend to think shortterm.

 

[JohnZ]

All airlines will soon pull out of Avalon with what I'm hearing
Government is looking at a second airport in Koo Wee Rup similar to Badgeryes Creek in Sydney, could do something closer surely. Avalon should become a premier housing estate and shopping mall with hotels and co

Makes sense to have an airport out east. Anyone east of Newport is closer to tullermarine than they are to Avalon.

Be very short term thinking ..to go from Avalon imo. Koo Wee Rup is 70 Ks from the MCG so no help fro people this side of melb..but who knows.. gov tend to think shortterm.

Agreed 100% though. Koo wee rup is too far out for an eastern airport, hence I don't see any traction for a while.

If the gov was serious, they'd buy out the dfo at Moorabbin and build a 737 sized runway

 

[juzcat]

Try being a kid in the early 80's and you might appreciate the work a little more.

Remember stacking come cans in some perilous balancing act as a 12 year old, in the 70's cause if u fell and bumped an opposition supporter, child bashing was not a political concern in this days

Sent from my VKY-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[Turbocat]

Makes sense to have an airport out east. Anyone east of Newport is closer to tullermarine than they are to Avalon.

Agreed 100% though. Koo wee rup is too far out for an eastern airport, hence I don't see any traction for a while.

If the gov was serious, they'd buy out the dfo at Moorabbin and build a 737 sized runway

For sport and transport and many other things they need long term thinking. 70 kms away may not be an issue if they connect it to a high speed train etc. and perhaps having planes flying about over houses is not ideal. As usual its all about the money... and the next election

 

[parano1a]

Channel Ten appear to be boycotting the official GMHBA name tonight, referring to the venue as Kardinia Park or Geelong Stadium.

 

[Tandy]

I noticed that. I wonder there was anything more to it. Can understand kp and flem not knowing/caring but Howie was pushing Geelong down everyone's throat all night. Surprised he wasn't all over it.