End nears for suburban NRL grounds

[Desert Qlder]

I'll declare that I have never been a Sydney resident, but have travelled to Sydney on numerous occasions and thoroughly enjoy the suburban ground experience.

My contention has always been that each club needs to strike a balance that suits them best. For instance, a 4-4-4 split for St.George-Illawarra, Canterbury taking one or two games back to Belmore against low drawing interstate clubs and Cronulla taking their 1 or 2 big games to the SFS but remaining mainly at Shark park.

Reading into the reports from the NSW state government, their policies would seem to be encouraging clubs to take this path. It is clear that Manly are however the big losers in all this. To their problems I can offer no solutions. But as much as I loathe that club, I do not want to see them have to relocate. They will have to continue lobbying hard to secure funding for their clearly unsuitable ground, by whatever means necessary.

What is encouraging is the willingness of the government to fund upgrades to existing large venues and the possibility of a new stadium. This is clearly ground in which David Smith and his team must work hard to secure. The KPI of increased crowds outlined in the strategic plan relies heavily on this. A roof for the SFS would be momentous for the game, as would any upgrades to the Olympic Stadium that would make the viewing experience better.

I look forward to future developments in this area. Our game should never follow the Melbourne-model, but we can find our own unique balance that allows our fans and clubs to have the best the best of both worlds.

 

[Panfas]

I wonder how much it would cost the NRL to purchase Centrebet Stadium? Would be interesting if it could be done

 

[Dogs Of War]

I. It is clear that Manly are however the big losers in all this. To their problems I can offer no solutions. But as much as I loathe that club, I do not want to see them have to relocate. They will have to continue lobbying hard to secure funding for their clearly unsuitable ground, by whatever means necessary.

I think for Manly, it's best to work with Rugby Union to upgrade Pittwater Park into a decent 20-25K stadium, and let Brookvale go. It has heaps more parking etc than Brookie does, and given it would be a multi sports ground, have potential more chance of getting support for that to occur. I am sure the council would much prefer it as well, they would only have to maintain one ground as oppose to two, they can redevelop Brookie oval into something else, or sell it to developers which could then make then a nice amount of cash to pour into the upgrade of Pittwater Park. They might even be able to attract Sydney FC/Central Coast Mariners to play 2-3 games a season up that way as well with a good size ground.

 

[firechild]

I think for Manly, it's best to work with Rugby Union to upgrade Pittwater Park into a decent 20-25K stadium, and let Brookvale go. It has heaps more parking etc than Brookie does, and given it would be a multi sports ground, have potential more chance of getting support for that to occur. I am sure the council would much prefer it as well, they would only have to maintain one ground as oppose to two, they can redevelop Brookie oval into something else, or sell it to developers which could then make then a nice amount of cash to pour into the upgrade of Pittwater Park. They might even be able to attract Sydney FC/Central Coast Mariners to play 2-3 games a season up that way as well with a good size ground.

Warringah Council would love it since Rat Park is in Pittwater, not Warringah. As for selling it to developers, not going to happen. The area has conditions on it from when council acquired the land (around 1911) that it be used for public recreation. It cannot be developed into residential or commercial buildings.

 

[carcharias]

The Sharks were not overly concerned, according to chairman Damian Irvine.
"The difference is we own our own home ground," Irvine said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...rban-nrl-grounds/story-e6frexnr-1226524122584

 

[juro]

...

My contention has always been that each club needs to strike a balance that suits them best. For instance, a 4-4-4 split for St.George-Illawarra, Canterbury taking one or two games back to Belmore against low drawing interstate clubs and Cronulla taking their 1 or 2 big games to the SFS but remaining mainly at Shark park.

...

The problem with this is that you then end up with suburban grounds being maintained for only a few games a year. That surely can't be sustainable. Better to go all-in and play all games at these venues or walk away.

 

[gronkathon]

No it works. Mainly because NRL is not the only organisation using the grounds.

The grounds themselves are in better shape then the grounds that get used every week.

It is about making small improvements as time goes along. For instance Leichhardt oval got a spectacular deal on the old SCG seating (still in fantastic condition) to replace the bench seats on the Eastern concourse.

I like the balance Wests Tigers have. it caters right across our Sydney fan base and maintains tradition while allowing for big games and corporate facilities as well

 

[Desert Qlder]

The problem with this is that you then end up with suburban grounds being maintained for only a few games a year. That surely can't be sustainable. Better to go all-in and play all games at these venues or walk away.

Well in Canterbury's case Belmore has become their permanent training base and the club sees no problem in maintaining it for that specific purpose.

The black and white approach you advocate is far more problematic from where I sit. One only need to look at the posters in this thread who sit in either camp to see how radical and irrational those notions are.

 

[newman]

Well in Canterbury's case Belmore has become their permanent training base and the club sees no problem in maintaining it for that specific purpose.

The black and white approach you advocate is far more problematic from where I sit. One only need to look at the posters in this thread who sit in either camp to see how radical and irrational those notions are.

Keep in mind that too that there is a pretty strong movement within the bulldogs supporter group, the return to belmore, that want to see 1 or 2 home matches against out of town opposition to be played at Belmore. Last years trial match at Belmore, which was a runaway and astonishing success, was a compromise to this group. Punters want to watch smaller games at suburban venues.

 

[juro]

I can understand the playing field being healthier, but does the same apply the stands?

 

[Raiderdave]

Cool. Just tell your market to get f**ked and do as they are told.

You sound like a man with a financial plan.

no
they're telling people like you to get F'd , you'd represent 5% of fans that think Like this

we had idiots saying no one would turn up at ANZ in the final round this year .. even allowing for the retirees ... because apparently everyone thinks like you & that Idiot .. louderfart or whateva his name is

no ... no one will go at 7pm on a Sunday to that hole ANZ , doesn't matter what the circumstance , families .. kids .. no one will go.
it should of remained at the far smaller parra stad in front of 16K

well how F;ing wrong were you D heads about that

same here
so move aside .... its gunna happen

 

[Desert Qlder]

Keep in mind that too that there is a pretty strong movement within the bulldogs supporter group, the return to belmore, that want to see 1 or 2 home matches against out of town opposition to be played at Belmore. Last years trial match at Belmore, which was a runaway and astonishing success, was a compromise to this group. Punters want to watch smaller games at suburban venues.

Absolutely, and no doubt such a move would be a resounding success. I've said before on these forums that if my club (North Queensland) was the team to play the game at Belmore, then I would think that to be fantastic. I'd even enjoy making the trip as an away supporter to such a game.

Now from a Cronulla perspective, is it fair for me to say that Cronulla should entertain the notion of moving one or two games to the SFS for their rivalry clashes? If marketed well the could generate huge crowds and be large events.

 

[BunniesMan]

This thread is literally people who have no idea about Sydney talking about Sydney. Sydney is over 6 times more dense than Perth. Is over twice the size and has a much larger population.

Perth red and bm simply do not know what they are talking about. You can probably walk across coffs harbour in 40 minutes.

I was born in Liverpool hospital. I lived the first half of my life in Sydney. I know Sydney.

 

[shaggs]

I was born in Liverpool hospital. I lived the first half of my life in Sydney. I know Sydney.

Don't you live in coogee?? Last time I checked that was Sydney.

Or is that made up?

 

[Frailty]

This has been argued a thousand times - but its not a case of 'if Melbourne and the AFL can do it, than so can we'. Melbourne's AFL clubs all fit in a geographical area that is the equivalent to the Sydney Roosters (and a little bit of Souths) territory, and they have two world class stadiums in less than 5km away from each other.

From a State Government perspective, it isn't feasible to maintain and fund every stadium in the state. But this doesn't mean the NSW Government will be giving any funding to these grounds, but that it would not be a major contributor. The Sharks planned works for Toyota Park are still going ahead, because it is being funded as part of the development plan.

 

[Ozzy]

I said it for months. Souths and Dogs and to a lesser extent the Tigers have led the way. This is the way of the future. 10 years from now every Sydney team except maybe Parra will be playing from a major Sydney stadium.

So many suburban stadiums are just an inefficent use of resources.

Hey Brainiac what do you think the SFS is and wher do you think the Roosters play their home games?

 

[carcharias]

Now from a Cronulla perspective, is it fair for me to say that Cronulla should entertain the notion of moving one or two games to the SFS for their rivalry clashes? If marketed well the could generate huge crowds and be large events.

what so make 3 clubs who are basically neighbours, travel to a place near none of them for a local derby?

sounds like a fuggen geniused idea to me.

 

[firechild]

I was born in Liverpool hospital. I lived the first half of my life in Sydney. I know Sydney.

You clearly don't. Given the fact that it can take 90 minutes each way (more for public transport) during peak hour for people to get to games, moving games that are not likely to attract large crowds is a stupid idea. The NRL is already doing their best to make it a family unfriendly game as it is, they don't need more help. You don't have kids (you'd need to get laid for that to happen) so you have no idea how difficult it is to be loading kids into the car on a Thursday, Friday or Monday night to drive over an hour to get to a game knowing you won't be home until after 11pm.

 

[franklin2323]

I wonder how much it would cost the NRL to purchase Centrebet Stadium? Would be interesting if it could be done

The council could just fund the upgrades themselves or the club. If we have richer clubs they can fund the upgrades.

 

[GAZF]

I was born in Liverpool hospital. I lived the first half of my life in Sydney. I know Sydney.

6 years in Sydney does not a Sydney expert make.