1 hour ago, Lord Nev said:

Personally, my preference is just to have more community-based events. Simple things like sausage sizzles at training (which MFC do already very occasionally), signing sessions for the kids at the Demon Shop or with a temporary merch stand, maybe some more installation type events

Half a floor of space for a function centre,  which could be partitioned off,  could be hired out for Weddings,  Functions, Birthdays (2st's) (50ths) Anniversaries, Wakes, etc,  during seasons and off-seasons.

How man here would commit to have your kids 18th,  or 21st birthday parties in such a Mfc venue.?

Any true Demon supporter worth their salt,  would do the utmost to support the club.

 

Admittedly it takes peoples commitment... are you saying people here are not fully committed to the club...  but are more committed to just lazing on the web.?

Any time the space wasn't making money,  the board could change tack and lease the space longer term,  out to other ventures.

 

1 hour ago, Lord Nev said:

I just think there's ways we can encourage supporter engagement and build our customer base without something so financially risky, and to be frank a bit exclusive, as a social club.

This is just a reflection of conservative type supporters mindsets,  IMV...  who would rather be at home,  than out.

I sense our membership base has been withered away to those who just want an armchair and recycled Air Conditioning.

- - - - - - -

Remember the main part of this concept isto provide the club a mome for footy, all departments.  The open area for cafe - social function area,  any profits are a bonus to what we have now,  as is supporter/membership growth.

 

Inner Melbourne people are likely to go out a few times a week.   TV is losing its hold on younger people these days,  who want more engagement.

 

But it needs to be right on the main thoroughfare to the city,  and to East - Sth/East corridor.  OR it will not get the numbers needed.   We are on the right spot right now,  where we are.

.

Edited June 7, 20204 yr by MyFavouriteMartian

28 minutes ago, Half forward flank said:

Totally support your thoughts and believe we need somone with a hospitality mind set to do the basics like sausage sizzles and well as being creative with other supporter events. As example there is opportunity for someone to put on a supporters lunch at the Bentleigh Club for interstate games with big screen viewing. 

Yep,  but bigger better and more central to our home base.  Our spiritual home base.

We have never has a home base off the field.  Somewhere to feel like its Ours.   Not like being tenants.   Our Home.

This is all about identity,  the Identity of our club.

On 5/25/2020 at 9:21 PM, 13thFlagIsComing said:

Had a bit of a play with how a redeveloped Gosch's Paddock could look.

Summary:

• Collingwood sized oval and running track
• MFC Facility with Pool / Gym / Offices (and the "Social Club / Function Centre")   - 3 stories high. Approx 
• Increased underground car parking
• Indoor Hall (like the EFC Hangar) towards the end of the facility. Modelled on the Casey Fields hall currently being developed but size increased to fit as much hall as possible. Can be used by Melb Victory / Storm. 
• 2 x Rugby / Football pitches along Punt Road
• Upgraded running tracks around and between ovals
• Re-aligned off-ramp from City Link to meet up with Kelso Street intersection. Increased parkland.
• Common grass area.
• Small hill for oval viewing in top right hand corner.
• Upgraded seating, playground, exercise facilities placed around the park.

Thoughts?

 

 

It needs to be at Gosch's Paddock or in the precinct. We are Melbourne and the MCG is our "Home". The mock up above is what the club needs to be aiming for.

Although I'd love to see us with a training base near the MCG, I feel there won't be the land required in that area to cater for our growing needs over time. Going outside the 3000 post code to locations such as Elsternwick Park or even Dendy Park could present better options. Neither are far from the city and could open the door for public/private partnership with either local council, schools and sporting clubs.

On 5/27/2020 at 2:16 AM, Pates said:

I reckon it would be great to have a cafe/pub/function area that overlooks the oval and perhaps the interior of the center for people to look into the fitness and training zones. Sort of a way of it being interactive with the fans.

I would really love it to be at Gosches paddock (and then rename it to Stynes Park), I just wonder if it too ambitious for a small zone.

Name it after Stynes? After he nearly destroyed the club though  mismanagement... you’ve got to be kidding me.

27 minutes ago, Swooper Northey said:

Although I'd love to see us with a training base near the MCG, I feel there won't be the land required in that area to cater for our growing needs over time. Going outside the 3000 post code to locations such as Elsternwick Park or even Dendy Park could present better options. Neither are far from the city and could open the door for public/private partnership with either local council, schools and sporting clubs.

This.

6 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

It was definitely worth a look and was probably a better location than Docklands.

Summer cricket,local council and the incumbent club spring to mind as possible issues along with limited room for expansion and cost of the land.On the other hand much more realistic than the Jolimont Park plan and deserves to be considered notwithstanding the blinkered views of our Board.

agreed

5 hours ago, old dee said:

That is the cruncher the board and a lot of members want it to be in the vicinity of the G. While that is the case we are wasting  our time  talking about Port Melb. Or any other spot away from the G. 

I think the board want a home base close to where we are... for our inner city home base.  As it should be, IMO. 

Only needs to be a single Oval with H/Qtrs,  Gym,  Offices,  Shop,  Cafe/Canteen, function area.

 

But, I do not think our major setup,  2 oval complex,  needs to be inner-city.   That could be at Sandown or Dandenong,  or even at Casey.

4 hours ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

If we want a mostly symbolic presence, stay at MCG precinct; if we want to grow and build a base that can last for decades to come,

Do both TPF39.

We are developing Casey now...   and surely could have 2 Ovals there,  or could we have our back of house at Sandown.

Our shop-front,  has the be at, the  'G'  Precinct.

1 hour ago, MyFavouriteMartian said:

Half a floor of space for a function centre,  which could be partitioned off,  could be hired out for Weddings,  Functions, Birthdays (2st's) (50ths) Anniversaries, Wakes, etc,  during seasons and off-seasons.

How man here would commit to have your kids 18th,  or 21st birthday parties in such a Mfc venue.?

Any true Demon supporter worth their salt,  would do the utmost to support the club.

Admittedly it takes peoples commitment... are you saying people here are not fully committed to the club...  but are more committed to just lazing on the web.?

Any time the space wasn't making money,  the board could change tack and lease the space longer term,  out to other ventures.

This is just a reflection of conservative type supporters mindsets,  IMV...  who would rather be at home,  than out.

I sense our membership base has been withered away to those who just want an armchair and recycled Air Conditioning.

- - - - - - -

Remember the main part of this concept isto provide the club a mome for footy, all departments.  The open area for cafe - social function area,  any profits are a bonus to what we have now,  as is supporter/membership growth.

Inner Melbourne people are likely to go out a few times a week.   TV is losing its hold on younger people these days,  who want more engagement.

But it needs to be right on the main thoroughfare to the city,  and to East - Sth/East corridor.  OR it will not get the numbers needed.   We are on the right spot right now,  where we are.

.

I appreciate your passion, but this is just not a realistic business model for a hospitality venue in the current climate both of the industry and the impacts of covid-19.

Cheers.

1 hour ago, Half forward flank said:

Totally support your thoughts and believe we need somone with a hospitality mind set to do the basics like sausage sizzles and well as being creative with other supporter events. As example there is opportunity for someone to put on a supporters lunch at the Bentleigh Club for interstate games with big screen viewing. 

100% there's a lot of opportunity for the club in regards to supporter engagement. It's definitely something we've improved on in recent years, there's been some great initiatives and some canny marketing, but definitely more opportunity there.

Hopefully as we come out of the current problems and companies look for innovative solutions and value-based partnerships we can link up with some that can be of mutual benefit for these exact ideas.

14 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

I appreciate your passion, but this is just not a realistic business model for a hospitality venue in the current climate both of the industry and the impacts of covid-19.

Cheers.

You think CoVid19 is going to continue being a problem,  in 3Yrs time.

I don't think anyone makes plans,  just for the next 12 months,  when it comes to building developments.

Remember, the function area isn't the main reason for our building that Home Base.  But rather for our Admin,  Footy Dept's,  and hopefully for our Board meetings,  Club functions, like AGM's, etc.

 

I admire your passion as well,  'LN'.

Edited June 7, 20204 yr by MyFavouriteMartian

Elsternwick Park is less than 10 kilometres from the city and close to public transport (train, tram and bus). Not only is VAFA headquarters a facility that could be further developed for elite purposes, but there is also the disused public golf course next door. Whilst not taking away from local council's desire to use that area for more open public space, the size of that land could easily accomodate a training facility particularly if it could also be used for local clubs and school sport.  As it stands there is a decrepit golf club house near the corner of Glenhuntly Rd and New St. You'd think that space alone could make way for an admin and indoor facility.

Meanwhile at Dendy Park the old athletics track has been torn up and is now grass. The club could lay a proper track (like Collingwood have only several lanes) so that it can be used for community/club use, then develop the adjoining area with state of the art facilities for the MFC.

I realise neither option is our ideal scenario of being in the heart of Melbourne, but moving out slightly past the city could provide more scope and flexibility for the club as the years go by. I'm concerned about the time and money that will go into developing something in the CBD only for it to be past its used by date after a few years.

Edited June 7, 20204 yr by Swooper Northey

2 minutes ago, MyFavouriteMartian said:

You think CoVid19 is going to continue being a problem,  in 3Yrs time.

I don't think any one makes plans,  just for the next 12 months, when it comes to building developments.

I admire your passion as well,  'LN'.

The company I work for had just purchased the last 'smaller' company it would need to before it floated, however due to the impact of what has happened we've had to activate our cooling off and pull out. We're backed by a massive worldwide equity firm and have had to take drastic measures, that should tell you how much this will effect the hospitality industry.

Not just for now, but there will be a big shift in how hospitality runs going forward as well. We already have capacity limits and they may continue in different ways for some time, there will be also be a HUGE issue of 'surface awareness' for hospitality meaning the way venues operate will change in a big big way, then other measures like staff on visas, licensing, supplier impacts (some suppliers may not survive) and a host of unforseen aspects that will come.

IMO hospitality will be dominated even further by larger groups and less 'owner operators' or singularly focused businesses will survive. Partnerships will be where it's at in my view.

Building developments is a whole different area. There may be opportunities appear there, but the question will be on our finances to do it, which again won't be viewed kindly if we have risky business plans in the future.

26 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

The company I work for had just purchased the last 'smaller' company it would need to before it floated, however due to the impact of what has happened we've had to activate our cooling off and pull out. We're backed by a massive worldwide equity firm and have had to take drastic measures, that should tell you how much this will effect the hospitality industry.

Not just for now, but there will be a big shift in how hospitality runs going forward as well. We already have capacity limits and they may continue in different ways for some time, there will be also be a HUGE issue of 'surface awareness' for hospitality meaning the way venues operate will change in a big big way, then other measures like staff on visas, licensing, supplier impacts (some suppliers may not survive) and a host of unforseen aspects that will come.

IMO hospitality will be dominated even further by larger groups and less 'owner operators' or singularly focused businesses will survive. Partnerships will be where it's at in my view.

Building developments is a whole different area. There may be opportunities appear there, but the question will be on our finances to do it, which again won't be viewed kindly if we have risky business plans in the future.

 

I understand what your saying,  and I can see how the right-side of politics has been trying hard to lower the cost of labor since the turn of he century,  within Australia...  starting with their idealistic attacks on the wharfies,  and more recently against the CFMEU and also the sellout of the car industry.

These are the Three biggest industries, where organised employees worked and were strongly unionised. 

 

The right wants to get the price of labor down, to counter the rise of Asia in manufacturing.

 

Ironically it was the larger multi nationals who outsourced their manufacturing IT,  and then complete manufacturing bases into China.

 

This has pulled the rug from under the west,  because we now have underemployment and unemployment,  and lack of spending money to buy products locally.  Currently hitting our retail sectors.

Those clever business people wrecked their own Golden Goose.

 

So that was Pre Covid19.

 

Now as we were just recuperating from that GFC...  now its the Virus's turn to reek havoc.

 

I suggest,  that if we go into deep recession around the world,  that here in Aus, we'll return to a financial model more like it was in the 60's.

And I think we will work less hours,  and things will become cheaper,  Re property,  and manufactured goods,  and those clever businessmen will get their wish,  for lower labor costs...  at their own expence.

Under these criteria,  I think people will start to go out and socialise once again,  like they did in the 60's and 70's. 

The idea of building mega wealth,  IMO is over,  and the middle-class will shrink back to where it once was.

I think we are witnessing the end stage of capitalism as its been since the late 80's...  under the auspices of the likes of Rupert,  Thatcher,  Reagan,  and even Keating.

 

Greed has its own cost,  and it will take its toll.

Edited June 7, 20204 yr by MyFavouriteMartian

1 hour ago, MyFavouriteMartian said:

Do both TPF39.

We are developing Casey now...   and surely could have 2 Ovals there,  or could we have our back of house at Sandown.

Our shop-front,  has the be at, the  'G'  Precinct.

Isn't that what we have now..?

 

 

1 minute ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Isn't that what we have now..?

 

 

No, it's not.

Our admin is in the Mcg,  I believe,  and footy dept at AAMI,  and shared arrangements with the gym etc,  and we don't have our own training ground,  and building with facilities.

I have my own view of politics.

And I think the "lowering of wages" has been a Political aim of both major parties since post Whitlam.

Hawke's  "level playing field" being little more than getting Australian wages as low as the cheapest worker in China. or at least raising their wages and lowering ours until the evened out. 

He might have seen the future, the rise of China, well before it happened and the futility of 12 million people arguing with whatever the population of China was at that time.....

but what has this to do with football ?

48 minutes ago, MyFavouriteMartian said:

 

I understand what your saying,

With respect, I don't think you understood what I was saying at all given the content of your response.

I'll just leave it there.

Just now, Lord Nev said:

With respect, I don't think you understood what I was saying at all given the content of your response.

I'll just leave it there.

I suspect we have differing ideas of the future,  'LN.

3 minutes ago, MyFavouriteMartian said:

I suspect we have differing ideas of the future,  'LN.

No mate, you just went off on a completely different topic. One which I didn't bring up and don't think is relevant here.

Apologies for posting again after saying I would leave it, but felt that needed to be explained.

No hard feelings or anything, we're just on different topics now seemingly.

 

22 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

No mate, you just went off on a completely different topic. One which I didn't bring up and don't think is relevant here.

Apologies for posting again after saying I would leave it, but felt that needed to be explained.

No hard feelings or anything, we're just on different topics now seemingly.

 

Yes.  I think life as we've lived it for the past 30 Years has changed know,  for the long term.

I think business will change as well,  with that,  and I think peoples earnings will drop severely,  from now on.   Effecting house prices,  and everything else.

 

So this IMO,  will change the way we currently live,  and I think we will return to old ways.

It will certainly not stay,  as it was.

 

# And CoVid hasn't finished Yet. its still sweeping Asia and the Sth America's.

 

I fear it will sweep past here again.  But we've got our knowledge sussed out now,  so we will be able to shut it down again.  We've shown we can, and have the discipline to do it as a nation.

 

Other nations,  including first world,  I do not think share our aptitude for team.

Edited June 7, 20204 yr by MyFavouriteMartian

12 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

The company I work for had just purchased the last 'smaller' company it would need to before it floated, however due to the impact of what has happened we've had to activate our cooling off and pull out. We're backed by a massive worldwide equity firm and have had to take drastic measures, that should tell you how much this will effect the hospitality industry.

Not just for now, but there will be a big shift in how hospitality runs going forward as well. We already have capacity limits and they may continue in different ways for some time, there will be also be a HUGE issue of 'surface awareness' for hospitality meaning the way venues operate will change in a big big way, then other measures like staff on visas, licensing, supplier impacts (some suppliers may not survive) and a host of unforseen aspects that will come.

IMO hospitality will be dominated even further by larger groups and less 'owner operators' or singularly focused businesses will survive. Partnerships will be where it's at in my view.

Building developments is a whole different area. There may be opportunities appear there, but the question will be on our finances to do it, which again won't be viewed kindly if we have risky business plans in the future.

LN without putting pressure on you are the exact sort of person who could be on a committee to add advice to such a project. I know we have to make money but a limited Club hospitality venue run well brings enormous goodwill and add ons to a Club. Smart clubs in the future will use all the labour resources at their immediate disposal.

Citizens Park Richmond got redevelopment written all over it 

1 hour ago, Half forward flank said:

LN without putting pressure on you are the exact sort of person who could be on a committee to add advice to such a project. I know we have to make money but a limited Club hospitality venue run well brings enormous goodwill and add ons to a Club. Smart clubs in the future will use all the labour resources at their immediate disposal.

Nah, I wouldn't be. I'm more in the marketing and brand areas, not the business development areas. There will be plenty of quality people with the right knowledge looking for supplemental consultancy work going forward though so there's an opportunity there.

22 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

How good is the crypticness of that love it

 

Exactly. Using a good old gem of Australian folklore to say something you're not allowed to say.