New Stadium required

[seanoff]

So what was the point of demolishing Waverley?

it was old and essentially poorly positioned. so it was either rebuild Waverley and bring it up to date or move to Etihad which is really easy to access and isn't in the middle of a muddy field.

melbourne doesn't need a another stadium. the current 2 are perfectly adequate and both great places to watch footy.

 

[Sttew]

We don't need a new 80,000 capacity stadium. We need a boutique stadium of about 25-000-30,000 for the low drawing games. Should revamp an inner city ground.

Before anyone says it, not Optus Oval. It's now a training base and it was so non-neutral that everyone hated it.

Skilled Stadium? Will be a 35,000 seat stadium when next phase of development is completed. 50 minutes by train. Cats only play 7 or 8 games there a year.

 

[Ice-Wolf]

So basically Waverly stadium? there is not space for an 80k stadium anywhere near that area, and PT would probably be worse than Waverly was.



This. You have basically described MCG in your new stadium plan, and you clearly don't understand the whole Etihad/MCG debate going on. Its not about not having the facilities in place.....When the Dome is paid off, none of this will be an issue because the AFL can schedule whatever they want at Etihad.

On top of it all, MCC would kick up a fuss like they did with Waverly. AFL would never break that partnership.

We aren't talking about an 80k stadium, We are talking about a smaller stadium liked Kardian Park, and there is plenty of room most of the area out that way it still paddocks, so they could build an 80k stadium but it would be grossly excessive.

Public transport would be better as the places being talked about are along rail lines and they are also close to freeways, or will be in the next few years. (Peninsula Link, Western Port Highway etc.)

Im not denying that it would require money spend on upgrades to roads and rail but those are either already happening (peninsula link), will be happening (Western Port Highway) or should be happening (public transport / rail upgrades)

 

[10571z]

What they need is a staduim like metricon. 30,000 seats. Extremely nice. Cheap running costs... Be good for small games like north melbourne vs bulldogs. Great atmosphere, packed staduim more profit for the clubs. Its horrible watching games at the g with less than 50% capacity.

 

[Underarm]

The OP mentioned 80k, not you. My mistake.

Obviously the point still stands. MCG/Etihad are enough, and in most cases more than enough.

 

[Franko Armani]

Albert Park or next to AAMI park. Forget the burbs people, not going.

 

[Kram]

melbourne doesn't need a another stadium. the current 2 are perfectly adequate and both great places to watch footy.

Exactly, as if the government and the AFL are going to waste money building another one.

 

[Brenton Davy]

In all honesty, Punt Rd Oval is underutilised. Build it up to 30,000 capacity, let Richmond train at Junction Oval.

Pros:
Proximity to public transport
Central Location
No further land to be purchased

Cons:
None that I can think of
Richmond supporters probably won't like the idea.

 

[Tas]

Would it not settle a buttload of problems to build an 80,000+ capacity stadium for the future?

With out agreement with the Docklands pirates we can't build a stadium over 35k in Melbourne.

 

[Tas]

Exactly, as if the government and the AFL are going to waste money building another one.

Governments build shit for sporting clubs to buy votes, not because it is cost efficient.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Cons:
None that I can think of
Richmond supporters probably won't like the idea.

The site's just undergone a multi-million dollar redevelopment, and there's no room for 30K there in any case. But if the AFL did want to play matches there, the other clubs could rent from us.

 

[ScoobySnacks]

In all honesty, Punt Rd Oval is underutilised. Build it up to 30,000 capacity, let Richmond train at Junction Oval.

Pros:
Proximity to public transport
Central Location
No further land to be purchased

Cons:
None that I can think of
Richmond supporters probably won't like the idea.

My sentiments exactly

 

[Teffy]

In all honesty, Punt Rd Oval is underutilised. Build it up to 30,000 capacity, let Richmond train at Junction Oval.

Pros:
Proximity to public transport
Central Location
No further land to be purchased

Cons:
None that I can think of
Richmond supporters probably won't like the idea.

Parking would be a nightmare.

 

[MarkT2]

Firstly there won't be a new ground built from scratch becuase it costs too much and there is NOT a shortage or grounds as it is. It's that simple.

Secondly, the AFL will take over Docklands and the cost/revenue dynamics will then change for all clubs.

Thirdly, there are existing contracts with Docklands & the MCG that wouldn't leave many, if any, games open to be played elsewhere.

Ignoring those three matters, I wouldn't mind seeing Punt Road developed into a 25k stadium for matches that will attract up to that crowd. There will end up being the odd game that generates more interest than anticipated when the draw is done but that's life. We already get Etihad and Skilled lockouts and when Adelaide and the WAS teams are flying there are AAMI & Subi lockouts.

The advantage of Punt road is that is has a car park and a train station accross the road as well as being on the CDB fringe. The only issue apart from cost/funding would be scheduling. You would want to avoide games coinciding with big MCG matches. The next best alternative to Punt road might be Junction Oval. It doesn't have a train station at the front door or the same parking but it is close to the main Southern tram line down St Kilda Road and it doesn't have any club baggage.

Anyway, there isn't going to be a 3rd Melbourne ground.

 

[PumpyChowdown]

Increase MCG to 110,000 - 115,000.

Increase Etihad to 65,000 - 70,000.

Upgrade Punt Road to a quality boutique 30,000 - 35,000 capacity stadium.

 

[10571z]

Increase MCG to 110,000 - 115,000.

Increase Etihad to 65,000 - 70,000.

Upgrade Punt Road to a quality boutique 30,000 - 35,000 capacity stadium.

How would you increase capacity at etihad!

 

[Falchoon]

In all honesty, Punt Rd Oval is underutilised. Build it up to 30,000 capacity, let Richmond train at Junction Oval.

Pros:
Proximity to public transport
Central Location
No further land to be purchased

Cons:
None that I can think of
Richmond supporters probably won't like the idea.

Cons

it's not even oval because of it's proximity to Punt Rd and Brunton avenue

where do the grandstands go?

 

[Teffy]

Cons

it's not even oval because of it's proximity to Punt Rd and Brunton avenue

where do the grandstands go?

This is the same problem faced with an Arden Street upgrade.

The transport is there, the parking is (potentially) there, trains and trams only minutes away, but where do the stands go?

Fogarty Street would have to be absorbed.

 

[jd1991]

A boutique stadium (30 to 35k max) will not occur. If you want another ground that AFL plays at it will be in a regional centre, such as Ballarat, Bendigo, Albury/Wodonga could all be possibilities.

I believe in 3/4 years the Ballarat ground will be upgraded to AFL standard, with North playing 2 "Home" games there against non Vic sides. I wouldnt be surprised another club does the same with Bendigo for 2 "Home" games against non Vic sides. Say a Bulldogs or Melbourne.

Doing this will stop those clubs having loss making games at Docklands, plus could prove quiete lucrative as those clubs that adopt the area could use it to grow there supporter bases.

For those that think it will happen in Melbourne are delusional. Existing contracts with Docklands and MCG will preclude enough games been able to be switched to this Boutique stadium. The AFL will want any stadium in Melbourne to be Central to all people that live here, thus it would be in or close to the CBD.

Certain clubs (I will use Hawks and Collingwood here) show a small but gradual growth in attendance of people to games against non Vic clubs played in Melbourne. People at least of clubs like that are showing that just because we are not playing against another Vic team it doesnt mean we dont turn up.

For myself I liked going against Fremantle and Port as it was easy to take the kids to the game.

 

[MarkT2]

Cons

it's not even oval because of it's proximity to Punt Rd and Brunton avenue

where do the grandstands go?

There is a lot of land North and West of the ground so you could make it any size and shape you wanted. Obvioulsy it would cost a lot and Bunnings would do a boom trade in selling chains & padlocks to greenies who've never been to the MGC parklands before.

 

[Ron The Bear]

There is a lot of land North and West of the ground so you could make it any size and shape you wanted. Obvioulsy it would cost a lot and Bunnings would do a boom trade in selling chains & padlocks to greenies who've never been to the MGC parklands before.

Yarra Park's heritage-listed though, as is the ancient grandstand. Said greenies would be up in arms. Plus you'd have to demolish/move the brand new constructions.

 

[cobbly]

We need a Boutique stadium, South-East near Sandown, or maybe even further out.

closer to Eastlink would be ideal

Maybe even around the Eastlink/Monash junction ?

Closer to sandown would be better because of the train station, and its not a long drive from eastlink, or the monash, plus you have the princes hwy for an alternate.

Besides, I could walk there!

But I dunno where theyd find the space.

Or just rebuild waverley... Either way its not happening, as much as I'd personally love it.

 

[BlueTouchPaper]

^ It begs the question of who needs to be catered for the most. Which side is growing fastest and which side will peak the highest.

Upgrade Punt Road to a quality boutique 30,000 - 35,000 capacity stadium.

How does this address any of the issues that Etihad did? Or attempted to)?

Ease of access from the West is terrible. Either you drive past both Princes Park and Etihad and then South through East Melbourne or Fitzroy, or wait for about 3 weeks to turn left onto Olympic Boulevard after coming off of the West Gate.
Ease of access from the North is well below average.
Could you hold both a game at Punt Road and MCG? With the two sets of fans cannibalizing the benefits of infrastructure - parking, public transport, motorways.

Saying the infrastructure is there ignores all the problems that Etihad was designed to solve. Etihad is, unquestionably in a prime location.

The best location is either out East, ie Waverly - which is now coincidentally at the junction of Eastlink and the Monash, or North ie Princes Park. But you couldn't see the AFL doubling back on those decisions.

With all that said, Princes Park was similarly, in a prime location, and comparatively would've benefited much more from the sort of upgrade that the Docklands got.

Easy access from all directions bar the South. Bountiful bus and tram services thanks to University of Melbourne and the Northern growth corridor. Decent train options in Jewell and Royal Park stations. Parking on adjacent parklands similar to at the MCG (and plenty of green-space to exploit).

AFL appear to have made a blunder with that one.

 

[Blueboys11]

Princess park is the obvious.

Infrastructure already there, parking, serviced by trams. Wouldnt take that much money to get it up to AFL standard.

Couldnt tell me there wouldnt be scope to schedule 8-10 of the lowest drawing games at this ground. i.e low drawing Victorian teams v Freo, Brisbane, GWS, GoldCoast, plus Carlton playing 2 - 3 home games against interstaters.

Running costs would be low, and clubs might actually turn a profit on these games.

 

[Handsome.B.Wonderful]

Princess park is the obvious.

Infrastructure already there, parking, serviced by trams. Wouldnt take that much money to get it up to AFL standard.

Couldnt tell me there wouldnt be scope to schedule 8-10 of the lowest drawing games at this ground. i.e low drawing Victorian teams v Freo, Brisbane, GWS, GoldCoast, plus Carlton playing 2 - 3 home games against interstaters.

Running costs would be low, and clubs might actually turn a profit on these games.

I'm sure the Carlton FC would be more than happy to bulldoze their new $16m facilities.