8 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Yes, if they are ready to go when they make the announcement, I believe the whole project can be completed in 2 years.

They can put up a 10 floor building in a year, so 2 years would be ample time to get it done, IF as I said, they are ready to go at announcement time.

Hahaha… planning alone will take a minimum of 1.5 years. It’s taken me 12 months to get 2 x townhouses approved. It will then take 2 years at a minimum to build.

Just now, Oxdee said:

Hahaha… planning alone will take a minimum of 1.5 years. It’s taken me 12 months to get 2 x townhouses approved. It will then take 2 years at a minimum to build.

I did say twice “ if they were ready to go”.

I would assume with all the time taken they have got planning, finance and plans done.

If they havent it will obviously take longer.

I'm just hoping there will be an actual announcement in the next two years, not just a vague progress update.

Who knows what they will dig up in a racecourse car park.

15 minutes ago, bluey said:

Who knows what they will dig up in a racecourse car park.

Are we to expect the facilities will be haunted by horses? Haunted by jockeys?!?!

Hawthorn turned soil at Dingley in February 2024 and are about to live in. A site that required a hell of a lot more work than say Caulfield as it was built on landfill. The canvas is already there at Caulfield ready to paint. Two years seems more than reasonable.

3 minutes ago, Dee Viney Intervention said:

Hawthorn turned soil at Dingley in February 2024 and are about to live in. A site that required a hell of a lot more work than say Caulfield as it was built on landfill. The canvas is already there at Caulfield ready to paint. Two years seems more than reasonable.

A major point of difference though is Dingely is/was effective a greenfields build. I.e you can throw as much as you can in an organised manner as you have unfettered access to your build. Areas for staging , storing , equipment... all fairly easy

Caulfield won't be. Any construction can NOT impact what already exists as functioning. The racecourse and access must be maintained. Denial of public movement ( traffic etc ) must be minimised.

2 years is optimistic ( very )

Hawthorn took 2 but it had everything ready to go when it started. Do we even have plans finalised, permits, financing .... anything ?

These aren't just negative Nancy concerns.. they're actually what you need.

Where are we at ??

12 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Where are we at ??

Good to go

14 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

A major point of difference though is Dingely is/was effective a greenfields build. I.e you can throw as much as you can in an organised manner as you have unfettered access to your build. Areas for staging , storing , equipment... all fairly easy

Caulfield won't be. Any construction can NOT impact what already exists as functioning. The racecourse and access must be maintained. Denial of public movement ( traffic etc ) must be minimised.

2 years is optimistic ( very )

Hawthorn took 2 but it had everything ready to go when it started. Do we even have plans finalised, permits, financing .... anything ?

These aren't just negative Nancy concerns.. they're actually what you need.

Where are we at ??

Agree we need to be organised and we’ve had plenty of time to do so. Hopefully they working hard behind the scenes and a positive announcement will be made soon. I still believe 2 years is feasible as we shouldn’t encounter the environmental issues that Hawthorn did causing delays. Unlike Hawthorn we also aren’t building a facility that will host VFL and AFLW games so our construction needs will be reduced.

Plenty of room in the middle of a racetrack to store a few excavators and scaffolding.

Hopefully the state government stays out of it and we can choose our own contractor for the build.

9 hours ago, Redleg said:

My opinion.

Won’t take two years to prepare a couple of ovals and build a couple of buildings, one being only a sort of large indoor sports hangar with some medical and coaching meeting rooms etc.

Im in construction Yes it will!

Any update on Waverley as an interim?

12 minutes ago, Kent said:

Im in construction Yes it will!

I really think a lot just dont understand how things are actually built/managed.

Some seem to think its click your fingers..1,2,3

Currently the only access to the middle is via tunnels. Not thinking they're a size to easily facilitate ground moving plant.

Even if of only "basic" design there's still a lot of prep work. Often more work in preparation and services than the actual erection.

Every build requires a geo survey.

If you wanted to use for preseason 28.. you would need everything ready to go NOW.

It isn't. There's actually NOTHING other than concepts,sketches, ideas, basic scoping and possibly/probably a financial framework . I very much doubt there's detailed plans or build management program yet.

It is not rocket science..its just building. There will be no ground breaking technology here... justva build. But there's a process .

Id be surprised if were not looking at maybe mid 28.

And we watch and wait.

Edited October 20, 2025Oct 20 by beelzebub

....

Edited October 20, 2025Oct 20 by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew
(Deleted - been done, I see)

It's nice that we've got an issue to have diametrically opposed - and usually considered, occasionally fevered, and sprinkled with fun - views about, now that the trade period is over!

As usual, plonk me somewhere in the middle.

13 hours ago, Redleg said:

I believe the entire project should be able to be completed in 2 years of the announcement.

Assuming we get that at the AGM, I would hope it’s ready by the 2028 pre season.

that would be extraordinarily quick

i think 2030 preseason opening of the [openai? canva? pick a big tech sponsor, any tech sponsor!!] gawn & pearce centre for excellence would be a titch more likely in terms of timing

Edited October 20, 2025Oct 20 by whatwhat say what

I may be wrong, but if the Dec announcement is positive and is the start point, then I'd suggest that Detailed Design will take at about 6 months; approvals at least another 6 months if lucky; project Tendering min 2 months and then construction commencement.

So i'd suggest 14-15 months after the go announcement before construction starts.

So Construction to start March 2027. If 2 years construction period, I'd suggest we might be able to move in just prior to 2029 season - if we are lucky.

It’s not like going to Bunnings.

The surveying, tenders, drainage, soil tests, approvals, labour hire, permits, site access, etc, etc,.Part payments as building takes places via various stages.

Last home I had built was nearly two years, and that was fairly modest.

59 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

I may be wrong, but if the Dec announcement is positive and is the start point, then I'd suggest that Detailed Design will take at about 6 months; approvals at least another 6 months if lucky; project Tendering min 2 months and then construction commencement.

So i'd suggest 14-15 months after the go announcement before construction starts.

So Construction to start March 2027. If 2 years construction period, I'd suggest we might be able to move in just prior to 2029 season - if we are lucky.

Sounds about ✅️

3 hours ago, Dee Viney Intervention said:

Unlike Hawthorn we also aren’t building a facility that will host VFL and AFLW games so our construction needs will be reduced.

Caulfield should absolutely host aflw games.

14 hours ago, Redleg said:

I believe the entire project should be able to be completed in 2 years of the announcement.

Assuming we get that at the AGM, I would hope it’s ready by the 2028 pre season.

Hey Red. Do you have any deeper insight into MRC actions than reported in the Age Saturday. I found the reports of the payouts and financial situation enlightening, also the bulk payment of memberships, (which resonated in a familiar way to previous MFC action). But more significantly the final sentence referring to board member Tanya Fullarton who said her "support for the SGM was entirely about protecting an important racing venue". While I find that admirable in intent in some senses, does this philosophy identify a concern that MFC could be compromised if there is any partnership or alignment with MRC. I also noted the significant reliance of MRC on gambling income. Are the alignments you have identified in joint membership arrangements compromised by the MFC stance on gambling.

3 minutes ago, biggestred said:

Caulfield should absolutely host aflw games.

Unless you sink an oval i dont think there's any view or capability of seating for the training oval.

Casey will live on. Caulfield will be all about Admin and Training imo

Professional, tier 1 builders can construct multi storey apartment buildings in 2 years. I would expect this to be a very simple construction without extensive earth works that should have a construction duration of 15-18 months. The extent of any services diversions and planning permits will need to be added to this duration but should take, at a guess, about 4-6 months.

What's the racecourse getting out of this?

14 minutes ago, lorn said:

What's the racecourse getting out of this?

if the area involved stays part of the mrc lease, they get the rental income from mfc

if the area involved reverts back to the trust they get a reduction in fees from the trust

of course in both cases they get the privilege of having the great mfc as a neighbour 🤣

15 minutes ago, lorn said:

What's the racecourse getting out of this?

The racecourse trust exists to create vibrant, inclusive and accessible public spaces for diverse communities.

The MFC pitch is that the ovals will be available to the community when not being utilised by the club.

The MFC will also attract it's supporters to the precinct who it's hoped will use spend their dollars in the area.