MCG Redevelopment

[Kick_It_To_Pickett 2,930]

A lot of news about today, regarding the new Southern Stand that the State Government has committed to build. Eddie Everywhere talking roof. I actually don’t know why the entire stand needs to be pulled down. Some renovation work and improved seating, bars and entertainment within , seemed to be just fine. 

Anyway, is this our chance to get our club offices and The Demon Shop back into the MCG, in a visible location. Surely we’d have to be thinking about it. Get the Goschs resurface done. Keep using AAMI/Casey and be back at the G in 5 years? Haven’t seen it mentioned. I know the club is keen to get things sorted sooner. 

[DeeSpencer 23,131]

I’m not sure why there’s a rush on the southern stand either. Should be good for 20 years more.

But I can understand they’ll eventually want to do it and do it properly.

1. New stand
2. New train station + covering over the train lines 
3. Removing or Re-routing Brunton avenue, possibly fully enclosing it  
4. Roof?

Could chuck in some Dees facilities, but how do we get to the oval? E-scooters and the golf cart for all?

[Cards13 9,117]

The article basically calling the Southern stand a crumbling mess and needs a refurb or it’ll lose its status as Australia’s sporting capital… laughable. It’s one thing that we don’t really kick up a fuss about as tax payers, our funded stadiums. 
 

Build may commence in 5 years and may take 3 years to complete. 

[daisycutter 28,523]

8 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

The article basically calling the Southern stand a crumbling mess and needs a refurb or it’ll lose its status as Australia’s sporting capital… laughable. It’s one thing that we don’t really kick up a fuss about as tax payers, our funded stadiums. 
 

Build may commence in 5 years and may take 3 years to complete. 

just after our 5 new flags. great timing and during the 3 year build we will have completed our list rebuild ready for another 5 flags

Edited February 21, 2022 by daisycutter

[Diamond_Jim 11,751]

There are very few 100k seat stadiums in the world. They are all sub standard by comparison to the 50-60k "new" stadiums.

Can you make a 100k premium standard stadium pay.

I have no idea but it would be a world first

Perhaps we could do it instead of the Commonwealth Games 😎

[mauriesy 6,790]

Profligate waste of money and the world's resources, just 30 years after construction.

Concrete production is the world's single biggest industrial cause of carbon pollution, responsible for 8% of global emissions.

[tiers 2,769]

Some so called "expert" on TV suggested that the MCG needs upgraded food and beverage facilities (bars, eateries) to compete with new stadiums in other states. Are we watching sports or feeding our faces?

And by the way, the government and MCC should spend $1b to increase capacity by 5,000. Are they for real?

If the sporting contest is good enough, then the people will come. Bring a cut lunch.

[Mazer Rackham 14,969]

5 minutes ago, tiers said:

Some so called "expert" on TV suggested that the MCG needs upgraded food and beverage facilities (bars, eateries) to compete with new stadiums in other states. Are we watching sports or feeding our faces?

That's funny. "Bloody hell, the queue for chips is too long. Let's go to the Gabba instead."

I know, it's not the average punter that they care about. But the decision makers aren't queuing up for anything, they're getting silver service in corporate boxes, so why would they even think of bars & pie stands? It's absurd. "Yessss .... we could hold the Games at the G ... in theory ... but have you seen how long it takes to get a beer?"

What is driving this is the impressive sight of the WA stadium where the grand final was played. There is no "southern stand" or "northern stand". It's all one one huge circular stand with consistent levels, seating, nice steep gradient and no gaps.

This is about keeping up with the Joneses more than any actual deficiency with the current stand.

[bringbackthebiff 646]

Sounds good. Basically creating more space for future demon silverware. 

[Fritta and Turner 3,659]

Whats in it for Eddie?  Does the rebuild include a residential tower?

[Diamond_Jim 11,751]

24 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

But the decision makers aren't queuing up for anything, they're getting silver service in corporate boxes,

Reading yesterday that both at Docklands and MCG the corporate catering is done by a global catering giant.

Amazing it's not a local activity but perhaps there are back room synergies. (Frozen raspberries anyone?)

[Mazer Rackham 14,969]

2 minutes ago, Jontee said:

Whats in it for Eddie?  Does the rebuild include a residential tower?

The Southern Stand will be reserved exclusively for Collingwood supporters and all bars will serve free beer to C'wood members. The grateful general population will re-instate Eddie as Collingwood president for life, with 2 statues of him outside the ground.

[Diamond_Jim 11,751]

You have to wonder if it's all about increasing the average spend per attendee.

The seating is fine and other than increasing non male toilet facilities the essentials all seem adequate

[drdrake 3,037]

I think the covering up of rail lines/Brunton Ave, make it bars and Restaurants so your visit to the MCG or Tennis centre can be a real day or night out.  Or set it up with food Trucks, live music.

The government will be looking at what is the next major project in Victoria.  In 2-3 years you have finished the Westgate Tunnel and Western Ring Road extension, pretty large work force that needs major construction. 

[Pates 9,536]

I swear I remember hearing a number of years ago that a refurb of the GSS was on the cards planning wise, they were just trying to work out the feasibility and funding. It could well be that the result of that feasibility study was that to upgrade the stand it would cost roughly the same as a complete rebuild (which could be viable for 30+ years as opposed to a refurb being viable for 20+ years). 

As for upgrading, it's not just about food stalls, toilet facilities etc. It would be infrastructure, wiring, internet, event facilities, entertainment systems, broadcast facilities and much more. These are massive in the world of major sports events and not having them in place means the MCG will immediately get discounted from participation or hosting of the major of the big matches/events.

I love the Great Southern Stand, would probably prefer they look at refurbishment over knocking it down if it is viable.

[tiers 2,769]

1 hour ago, Mazer Rackham said:

That's funny. "Bloody hell, the queue for chips is too long. Let's go to the Gabba instead."

 

It's all about the so called fine dining in the corporate suites and dining rooms, not the queue for the chips. The big money is in the catering for the pretend elites.

[hemingway 7,589]

19 minutes ago, tiers said:

It's all about the so called fine dining in the corporate suites and dining rooms, not the queue for the chips. The big money is in the catering for the pretend elites.

Yep that’s about it. 

More bread for the circus. 

Money for the circus. No problem. 

Money for the homeless?

No, that’s the role of charitable organisations. 

 

[tiers 2,769]

Leave the discussion about bread and circuses to the Romans.

All we want is good footy and demons premierships and I, for one, would gladly eschew so called fine dining for lots of wins.

So, I expect, would 100,000 others.

 

[poita 3,586]

Remember when people used to go to a sporting event to watch the sporting event? Seems a distant memory now.

The problem with splashing around $1b of other people's money here and another $1b there, is that by the time all the parasites and leeches get their cut, you spend a hell of a lot money for very little benefit. 

Just imagine how much good could be achieved if this much thought and effort was put into kids footy and cricket.

[dpositive 1,547]

2 hours ago, drdrake said:

I think the covering up of rail lines/Brunton Ave, make it bars and Restaurants so your visit to the MCG or Tennis centre can be a real day or night out.  Or set it up with food Trucks, live music.

The government will be looking at what is the next major project in Victoria.  In 2-3 years you have finished the Westgate Tunnel and Western Ring Road extension, pretty large work force that needs major construction. 

There will be plenty of construction at Fishermans Bend.

Would be a great place to build a new entertainment, sports, community centre. A boutique stadium for the Melbourne team.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,415]

4 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

That's funny. "Bloody hell, the queue for chips is too long. Let's go to the Gabba instead."

I know, it's not the average punter that they care about. But the decision makers aren't queuing up for anything, they're getting silver service in corporate boxes, so why would they even think of bars & pie stands? It's absurd. "Yessss .... we could hold the Games at the G ... in theory ... but have you seen how long it takes to get a beer?"

What is driving this is the impressive sight of the WA stadium where the grand final was played. There is no "southern stand" or "northern stand". It's all one one huge circular stand with consistent levels, seating, nice steep gradient and no gaps.

This is about keeping up with the Joneses more than any actual deficiency with the current stand.

What's driving this is the AFL wanting improved facilities for its patrons. This was part of the agreement to increase the GF contract until 2057 (now 2059) with the MCG Trust/Vic government agreeing as part of that to upgrade facilities in the southern stand. As an AFL member and therefore someone who sits in the southern stand I can tell you it is certainly outdated even compared with the northern stand including seating and facilities.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,415]

1 hour ago, poita said:

Remember when people used to go to a sporting event to watch the sporting event? Seems a distant memory now.

The problem with splashing around $1b of other people's money here and another $1b there, is that by the time all the parasites and leeches get their cut, you spend a hell of a lot money for very little benefit. 

Just imagine how much good could be achieved if this much thought and effort was put into kids footy and cricket.

As above, the refurb/rebuild is part of the agreement to host the GF at the G for an additional 20 years. How much is that worth to the Victorian economy?

As part of that agreement the AFL also secured funding for grassroots football (I think; actually that may have been part of the agreement to buy Docklands early 🤔 - although it would all be tied up into the bargaining and agreement between the AFL and Vic govt)

Edited February 22, 2022 by Dr. Gonzo

[PaulRB 5,923]

From a financial perspective what is the economic value to the state of holding 100k at the GF each year?

Assuming every year at least one interstate team is represented it would amount to over $75 million if 35,000 interstaters rolled in spending just over $2,100... stacks up pretty quickly over the three+ decades to 2057, plus all the ancillary benefits.

Edited February 22, 2022 by PaulRB

[daisycutter 28,523]

21 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

From a financial perspective what is the economic value to the state of holding 100k at the GF each year?

Assuming every year at least one interstate team is represented it would amount to over $75 million if 35,000 interstaters rolled in spending just over $2,100... stacks up pretty quickly over the three+ decades to 2057, plus all the ancillary benefits.

do you work for the grand prix corporation, paul?

[DeeSpencer 23,131]

15 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

From a financial perspective what is the economic value to the state of holding 100k at the GF each year?

Assuming every year at least one interstate team is represented it would amount to over $75 million if 35,000 interstaters rolled in spending just over $2,100... stacks up pretty quickly over the three+ decades to 2057, plus all the ancillary benefits.

The economic benefits the same from all those people coming now as it would be if the stand is new. The grand final has never not sold out because the seats aren’t as comfy as they could be.
 

So we spend a billion for a new stand just to fend off the AFL selling their soul for a huge cheque from WA or SA?

Governments could stop undercutting each other on events and spend the cash developing their own sports, music, arts, culture scene. Plus invest in transport, housing, health and education so people have the ability and desire to get out and explore and travel. Invest in jobs and fair work so they have the means to travel too.

Instead we have this situation where to maybe make back 1 billion over 30-40 years we have to spend a billion first. It’s a con.