Hobart stadium business case

[BF Tiger]

I identify as a Glenorchy supporter.

Having grown up in Hobart and seen how stadiums can transform cities by living in 3 other capitals, I can confidently predict that the construction of this stadium would be a game changer for Hobart and the state generally. Furthermore, the alternatives are embarrassing.

Just do it!

Of course it’s transformative, but is it worth the cost?

 

[twiggy4PM]

If the AFL want a roof they should be prepared to pay the extra cost.

They don't insist that Ballarat has a roof when the Crows play there. Coldest match I have ever been to, too cold to drink beer.

 

[Saucery]

I identify as a Glenorchy supporter.

Having grown up in Hobart and seen how stadiums can transform cities by living in 3 other capitals, I can confidently predict that the construction of this stadium would be a game changer for Hobart and the state generally. Furthermore, the alternatives are embarrassing.

Just do it!

See now that's a much better post without all the vitriol.

 

[Rail King]

See now that's a much better post without all the vitriol.

Thankyou for your approval oh great one.
I don't know where we'd be without your colossal intellect.

 

[Bird Man]

Great, then pay 50% for it. They are ultimatums and it should not be like that. Not much to like here for the Tassie team. Imagine starting a relationship on an ultimatum. It’s unprofessional.

I don't think the AFL deep down wants a team in Tassie, but they have been banging on the door for years.

Tasmania wants a team the AFL wants a world class stadium and great infrastructure so they wont have to keep bailing them out with money, draft picks and assisting in attacking free agents/keeping players there.

Also i am quite happy for the Tasmania team to fall over as i don't think there is enough talent coming through to sustain a 19th and 20th team.

 

[speedpeck23]

but it's ok the other way for the AFL to put on demands to a state that has a right to be playing in the AFL?

You seem to forget the final arbitrator on this are the 18 clubs who vote on a recommendation by the AFL Commission.

 

[Saucery]

Thankyou for your approval oh great one.
I don't know where we'd be without your colossal intellect.

That's the spirit.

 

[Saucery]

You seem to forget the final arbitrator on this are the 18 clubs who vote on a recommendation by the AFL Commission.

It was set up to fail, just to put the issue to bed.

 

[LordLucifer]

MSN

 

[RUNVS]

If the AFL want a roof they should be prepared to pay the extra cost.

They don't insist that Ballarat has a roof when the Crows play there. Coldest match I have ever been to, too cold to drink beer.

It is a simple requirement by the AFL.

Put a roof on it, get an AFL team, don't put a roof on it, don't get an AFL team.

The AFL has made their requirements clear. Now it is up to Tasmania if they want to agree or disagree. No one is forcing them to make a decision one way or another, they have a choice.

 

[Kappa]

People are forgetting that over the next 50 years Tasmania is going to get smaller and smaller compared to all the other states, this Tassy team is going to be a financial drain on the AFL for it's entire life with such a tiny market and tiny supporter base.

At least a world class comfy stadium will provide the team a good chance at strong crowds and also bring in more travelling fans and events which help the state economically.

 

[My_Username]

I don't think the AFL deep down wants a team in Tassie, but they have been banging on the door for years.

Tasmania wants a team the AFL wants a world class stadium and great infrastructure so they wont have to keep bailing them out with money, draft picks and assisting in attacking free agents/keeping players there.

Also i am quite happy for the Tasmania team to fall over as i don't think there is enough talent coming through to sustain a 19th and 20th team.

I think the AFL likes the idea of a Tas team, but knows that it'll be marginal economically, and don't want to be left on the hook if/when the club needs more and more support to keep up with clubs in markets that will be expanding (population and financially) a lot faster than Tas.

So they're looking to lock in as much support/income as they can for the new club, including a premium stadium that will be highly profitable for the club (low overheads as it'll all been paid for already, and likely to come close to selling out most weeks, even if the weather is shit, probably with seats going for a decent amount) and a government that has shown their commitment by forcing them to pour hundreds of millions into the new club (Also ongoing sponsorship ... Just transfer it over from Hawthorn).

The AFL is willing to pour money into the northern states because the finances of those clubs (should) improve over time and it'll grow the game. A Tas team have neither of these reasons for investment, so in order to get a club there, the AFL needs to know they WONT have to throw too much money into it, both early on and into the future.

 

[Canberra Pear]

I think the AFL likes the idea of a Tas team, but knows that it'll be marginal economically, and don't want to be left on the hook if/when the club needs more and more support to keep up with clubs in markets that will be expanding (population and financially) a lot faster than Tas.

So they're looking to lock in as much support/income as they can for the new club, including a premium stadium that will be highly profitable for the club (low overheads as it'll all been paid for already, and likely to come close to selling out most weeks, even if the weather is shit, probably with seats going for a decent amount) and a government that has shown their commitment by forcing them to pour hundreds of millions into the new club (Also ongoing sponsorship ... Just transfer it over from Hawthorn).

The AFL is willing to pour money into the northern states because the finances of those clubs (should) improve over time and it'll grow the game. A Tas team have neither of these reasons for investment, so in order to get a club there, the AFL needs to know they WONT have to throw too much money into it, both early on and into the future.

This is spot on.

People bemoan the money poured into the Giants and Suns, but they're future investments that are expected to eventually pay for themselves. Gold Coast's population has already increased more than a whole Darwin since the Suns entered.

The Devils will always be on the smaller side for a club. Particularly as the rest of the country's population grows disproportionately. The AFL wants to set the club up for future viability because it doesn't have as much growth to rely upon.

The risk appetite is lower because the (financial) reward is lower.

I do think an upgraded/new central stadium should be a requirement to give the Devils a running start. But I also think the roof is probably overkill. The location is the important thing.

 

[My_Username]

I do think an upgraded/new central stadium should be a requirement to give the Devils a running start. But I also think the roof is probably overkill. The location is the important thing.

The whole stadium is probably overkill, but it's a matter of the commitment, and adding to the income of the club (if the roof means even 20K more people per season, it's still a decent slice more money for the club.

Realistically, if you want the ideal 'bang for your buck' scenario, then instead of spending a billion on a stadium (which is what it'll probably be at the end), they spend $50M upgrading an existing ground to a decent standard and put the other $950M into a trust fund for the club to live off the income, it'd be better for all concerned....but there is no way the Tas government (or the AFL) would go with that.

 

[Professor Knowall]

Realistically, if you want the ideal 'bang for your buck' scenario, then instead of spending a billion on a stadium (which is what it'll probably be at the end), they spend $50M upgrading an existing ground to a decent standard …

I don’t think Hobart has any existing ground that’s in a suitable location and with room for growth worth spending tens of millions on. On the other hand, Macquarie Point will be a brilliant location to attract sports and other tourists, just like what Adelaide Oval has done for Adelaide and Optus in Perth.

I heard the South Australian Premier speak on this very topic today, saying the new stadium will be transformative for Tasmania and is essential, just like the Adelaide Oval redevelopment was for S.A. Also revealed that in the last week, he has spoken to both the Tasmanian Premier and Opposition leader, urging them to stay the course against the naysayers. He then spoke on how the Adelaide Oval redevelopment naysayers, of which there were a lot, all shut up once the project was finished - haven’t heard a peep from ‘em since, and he’s sure the same thing will happen in Hobart.

PS - The SA Premier is seriously impressive I can only wish that Victoria had a leader like him rather than our totally useless pack of duds, but that’s another topic that I won’t go further in.

 

[My_Username]

I don’t think Hobart has any existing ground that’s in a suitable location and with room for growth worth spending tens of millions on.. On the other hand, Macquarie Point will be a brilliant location to attract sports and other tourists, just like what Adelaide Oval has done for Adelaide and Optus in Perth.

I heard the South Australian Premier speak on this very topic today, saying the new stadium will be transformative for Tasmania and is essential, just like the Adelaide Oval redevelopment was for S.A. Also revealed that in the last week, he has spoken to both the Tasmanian Premier and Opposition leader, urging them to stay the course against the naysayers. He then spoke on how the Adelaide Oval redevelopment naysayers, of which there were a lot, all shut up once the project was finished - haven’t heard a peep from ‘em since, and he’s sure the same thing will happen in Hobart.

PS - The SA Premier is seriously impressive I can only wish that Victoria had a leader like him rather than our totally useless pack of duds, but that’s another topic that I won’t go further in.

Oh, I agree that the location/stadium would be good for Tas.

I just doubt that it'll be $1Billion worth of goodness.

But in some ways (as I indicated above), I think that excess is partly why the AFL is demanding it.

It'd hardly be a massive show of support/commitment if the ROI was clearly in the state's favor. If that were the case, it'd just be 'good business'. On the other hand, burning $500M or so on top of what should really be needed is a very clear declaration of current and future support.

 

[Professor Knowall]

… On the other hand, burning $500M or so on top of what should really be needed is a very clear declaration of current and future support.

… and don’t forget that about half of that “burnt” $500M would actually come from the Federal Gov’t contribution to Macquarie Point.

Meanwhile, it appears the Tasmanian Premier had taken the advice of the SA Premier, taking on the naysayers -

Rockliff 'no longer has faith' in two reports scathing of Hobart stadium project

The stadium proposed for Hobart's Macquarie Point may be removed from its current planning and assessment process after Jeremy Rockliff said he no longer has faith in two reports central to the project.

amp.abc.net.au

“… The government was already considering taking the Macquarie Point stadium out of the Project of State Significance (POSS) process under which it is being assessed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, but the Gruen meeting revelations look likely to only embolden it even further.

It confirmed last week that it had sought advice on special enabling legislation that would mean the government could pull the project out of the POSS process and potentially have it fast-tracked through parliament. Since then, the government's language has only strengthened. …”

 

[catters05]

It’s going to be great for the city and state like Adelaide oval and Optus stadium.

There would be no gather round if football park was still in use.

It’s going to be great for cricket and other events. It’s more than just for the devils.