SS Capacity

[jim boy]

Whether the capacity of SS is 25k, 26,500 or even 28,500, it's still too small for an AFL venue. Before there was any development on the eastern side, back when it was all standing room, the capacity of the ground was around 31,500, which I think would be much more ideal to Geelong's situation, anywhere between 31,500-35,000. What needs to happen is that a new, at least 3-tiered stand needs to be erected at the city end of the ground (where there are currently seats and some standing room), and also, the old Hickey Stand needs to be taken down and replaced with a bigger, multi-tiered stand. What do Geelong fans think of this?

31500? I've been to match at the old KP where there was 42000.

The Hickey stand does need to be replaced but it'll do for a bit more yet. On the weekend I read in the paper that the past players stand will be removed in about 4-5 years time and relocated next to St Marys oval. According to the paper they said they will then join the Hickey and Drew stands. Would have though the more sensible obtion would be to replace the Hickey stand.

I think the numbers are down this year because so many seats have been presold. People will typically miss 10-20% of matches even when they have bought season seats and that is impacting on numbers.

 

[tenacity]

I find it really interesting that the guy who basically saved our club from extinction, is in the gun for a basic non issue. It holds what it holds. Its making us money. Its a great stand for a surburban footy club. I find it pretty poor form to question Cook's integrity after all he has done.

 

[D0nk]

I think we lose a good 1000-2000 with the standing room. A couple of times this year they have locked the gates unless you're a member when there has been plenty of room.

I see what you're getting at there, they do lock it out too early sometimes, although I have heard otherwise where it is too packed.

Of course if you replaced that standing room with seating you'd lose a decent amount of capacity.

 

[Turbocat]

Whether the capacity of SS is 25k, 26,500 or even 28,500, it's still too small for an AFL venue. Before there was any development on the eastern side, back when it was all standing room, the capacity of the ground was around 31,500, which I think would be much more ideal to Geelong's situation, anywhere between 31,500-35,000. What needs to happen is that a new, at least 3-tiered stand needs to be erected at the city end of the ground (where there are currently seats and some standing room), and also, the old Hickey Stand needs to be taken down and replaced with a bigger, multi-tiered stand. What do Geelong fans think of this?

A new stand that went from the Eastern to the Brownlow, fantastic!!
How Much $$$$$???? By the way when was the last time Ess played down here?

 

[Turbocat]

I find it really interesting that the guy who basically saved our club from extinction, is in the gun for a basic non issue. It holds what it holds. Its making us money. Its a great stand for a surburban footy club. I find it pretty poor form to question Cook's integrity after all he has done.

What Cook has done is not questioned, the comments I have made relate to the way he handled the media to get the outcomes. The Eastern Stand for instance , was to hold 28,500 and its the new centre for regional sport.What hogwash, its a stand built using 80% of others peoples money that gives Geelong an asset that earns them a Million a year.Good for us, Yes. He handles the media and issues in it better than most in the AFL, he as much politician as a CEO and Geelong have been well served by him
The numbers however are an issue because it caps of level of membership. The numbers expected of club seem to go up all the time , a 30,000 number this years is a record but in ten years it will be in adquate.It has locked us in to another expansion and this time I doubt it will be other peoples money.

 

[tenacity]

you are assuming that everyone who buys a membership will want to go to the footy. This is not the case. Many will buy a membership because they believe it is the right thing to do and it is a way of supporting the greater cause i.e a premiership. I think Cook understands this.

Also we have only eight games in Geelong which means probably at least 10 in Melbourne where capacity is not an issue for those who want to go.

Skilled Stadium has the very easy probability of being overcapitalised. When Geelong is not so successful i.e. when the cycle forces them into a down time we will be under the pump to retain what we have and keep the club afloat. Will you still be buying a membership then? I suspect many will not.

 

[aj1981]

A new stand that went from the Eastern to the Brownlow, fantastic!!
How Much $$$$$???? By the way when was the last time Ess played down here?

The last time Essendon played at Skilled, was I think round 22, 1993. It is correct that at one stage the capacity of Skilled Stadium was into the 40 thousands, but when I said the capacity was 31,500, I was going by recent history, ie. since the late 1980s. The day when Essendon last played at SS, there was a lock-out and the official crowd was 31,500. I think Geelong has a large enough supporter base for the ground capacity to be bumped up to around 35,000. We'll see what happens.

 

[cats2rise]

Skilled Stadium has the very easy probability of being overcapitalised. When Geelong is not so successful i.e. when the cycle forces them into a down time we will be under the pump to retain what we have and keep the club afloat. Will you still be buying a membership then? I suspect many will not.

Bloody oath i will still buy a membership. im 16, and ive only been buying a membership for the past 3-4 yrs, but im not gonna stop just coz we go through a ruff patch. I always wear my geelong colours with pride and have done since i was little!

 

[Sammy D]

The last time Essendon played at Skilled, was I think round 22, 1993. It is correct that at one stage the capacity of Skilled Stadium was into the 40 thousands, but when I said the capacity was 31,500, I was going by recent history, ie. since the late 1980s. The day when Essendon last played at SS, there was a lock-out and the official crowd was 31,500. I think Geelong has a large enough supporter base for the ground capacity to be bumped up to around 35,000. We'll see what happens.

We were packed in like sardines that day I tells ya

 

[worthogs]

Dont see the Hickey stand (old one) being due for Demolition just yet get rid of the Drew and Past players They are far older than the Hickey stand (completed in 78 or 79 from memory). THe drew is a lot older and doesnt hold as much although it has more function rooms etc behind it.

The m\need to up the other end (Ford Stand end) IF they top up the terrace end with some seating areas they could top it over the 30K mark, which is more than enough for The GFC for the next 5-8 years (with upkeep of course)

A regional 30k stadium would be the most you would need, gone are the days of 40k at KP even 35K, Gone are the days of standing on the wing or HFF under the Pie sign or the old scoreboard. Not too abd a thing but get the ground up to 30K and it will be fine

 

[jim boy]

Skilled Stadium has the very easy probability of being overcapitalised. When Geelong is not so successful i.e. when the cycle forces them into a down time we will be under the pump to retain what we have and keep the club afloat. Will you still be buying a membership then? I suspect many will not.

It's not so much the rough stages, the natural cycle of things is that membership will go down when we are crap, but more that we are unable to really make the most of the good times. It's deceiving to look at the figures and say we are making a profit while the team is hot, such as now, we should really be putting money in the bank for the inevitable rainy day.

 

[Turbocat]

you are assuming that everyone who buys a membership will want to go to the footy. This is not the case. Many will buy a membership because they believe it is the right thing to do and it is a way of supporting the greater cause i.e a premiership. I think Cook understands this.

Also we have only eight games in Geelong which means probably at least 10 in Melbourne where capacity is not an issue for those who want to go.

Skilled Stadium has the very easy probability of being overcapitalised. When Geelong is not so successful i.e. when the cycle forces them into a down time we will be under the pump to retain what we have and keep the club afloat. Will you still be buying a membership then? I suspect many will not.

Am I assuming that all who buys a membership go to the football, no.
Am I assuming that all GFC membership goes to Geelong based games , no.
I think its around 50/50 or 60/40, so a heap of non Geelong based people are members and they might not make any or only some trips to Geelong
Do I think many will be a memeber because its just the right thing to do , No I dont, at least not many. Some might but a drop in the ocean would do this on a consistant basis. The people that do that are flakey.The can not be relied on to be there long term, they also rarley buy packages and thats part of the reason GFC is more profitable that a lot of Melbourne based club.One of the Cookster's first moves at the club was to try to grow the Melbourne base, but he soon realised that the gem for Geelong was the home games at KP

Geelong based people would have a higher percenatge of double up, that being, not only buy a membership but buy a seat.By selling seats in Geelong we almost double the revenue on our membership. Its the 8 games in Geelong that support the club finacially , not the ones in Melbourne.Have a look at when the vast majority of these seats are paid for , about 5 months before game play, this gives them cash flow. Not only that, the more heads at the footy , the more they eat and drink, at KP Geelong make a substantial amount more on these items that at any Melbourne match. Another plus, the seat packages generally lock a person in , no matter what the current form is because most dont want to lose their seat.

So, If the expectation is that all clubs have 30,000 plus now what will it be in 10 years time, 40,000. Its obvious that for our long term health as a club, that a ground that is around 23,000 average capacity is not enough.The big three have said as much.

There will be more work at Geelong, whether it the Ross Drew or Past Players or Ford end it will happen, it will be interesting to see if BC is still around at the time of it.

 

[nananana catman]

Bloody oath i will still buy a membership. im 16, and ive only been buying a membership for the past 3-4 yrs, but im not gonna stop just coz we go through a ruff patch. I always wear my geelong colours with pride and have done since i was little!

Unfortunately not everyone shares your sentiments though. Therein lies the problem.