What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

The Game Future NRL Stadiums part II

nko11

Juniors
Messages
710
Unfortunately I think Victoria Park will be back on the cards. I just hope Suncorp will still get a decent upgrade of minimum 300m.
I wouldn't be so sure. They've taken into the election, no new stadiums being built as a platform. They might even include 'no new stadiums' in the terms of the review. Quite a few of their pickups this election were seats in North Queensland, which allowed them to form majority government. A build in Victoria Park would have already started or be some ways through by the next election. Great timing and a layup issue for Labour or KAP to take into the next election. It would be a one way ticket to a single term as government for the LNP.

They do have a majority government, so of course they could go for it, but it wouldn't be politcally savvy. The LNP would have seen how effective the campaiging against them in the month leading up to the election was. Something as easily microtargetable as a $3 billion+ new stadium in SEQ and broken promises. Even if they did do it through a public/private partnership, would still leave themselves open to these attacks.

I can write the ad now - Crisafulli stating no new stadiums to be built to him announcing a new stadium to be build - broken promise - to construction site and $3.4 billion+ plastered across the screen, then show a piece of failing local infrastructure to each North Queensland electorate. Mix that with ads of destroying Parkland to Brisbane city residents and you might end up with KAP as the new opposition party.

All this result does is move the option away from QAS, could actually work out better for the NRL. With all publicly released information pointing towards a refurbished Gabba. Could easily see them go with:

Step 1. $1.35 billion redevelopment of the Gabba (expand to the west to avoid any problems with the school group - only need to add ~10m East-West) Do a staged development if possible over 3 years, so that teams can still play there during, try to keep capacity around 30k by going bay by bay on the northern, eastern and southern side - then pick the quietest 6 month period (likely from October-April - Heat and Test match to play at Carrara for one summer - do it a year we're not playing India or England) to knock up a new western grandstand with high quality corporates - 2026-2028 - Final Capacity 42-45k

Step 2.
$1-1.35 billion Suncorp Stadium redevelopment - Broncos, Dolphins and QLD to play out of the newly renovated Gabba during this period, hopefully only for a year if they schedule it well. New Western Grandstand (currently 30 years old) - Allegiant Stadium quality corporates and expanded capacity to 60k would possibly draw an NRL Grand Final, if I was PVL I'd be lobbying for the Eastern side to get done up too and lock in 3 grand finals after it's built. Worth whatever financial negative it would bring, just for the negotiating power with the NSW government 2028-2030 - Final Capacity 60-70k

Opening Ceremony -
Have the main ceremony at Suncorp, due to the capacity - but have the Gabba filled and involved as well as the Brisbane River between the stadiums part of the ceremony too. Good way to have 102-115k tickets to sell and activate the rest of the city for the ceremony.
 
Last edited:

mongoose

Coach
Messages
11,808
I wouldn't be so sure. They've taken into the election, no new stadiums being built as a platform. They might even include 'no new stadiums' in the terms of the review. Quite a few of their pickups this election were seats in North Queensland, which allowed them to form majority government. A build in Victoria Park would have already started or be some ways through by the next election. Great timing and a layup issue for Labour or KAP to take into the next election. It would be a one way ticket to a single term as government for the LNP.

They do have a majority government, so of course they could go for it, but it wouldn't be politcally savvy. The LNP would have seen how effective the campaiging against them in the month leading up to the election was. Something as easily microtargetable as a $3 billion+ new stadium in SEQ and broken promises. Even if they did do it through a public/private partnership, would still leave themselves open to these attacks.

I can write the ad now - Crisafulli stating no new stadiums to be built to him announcing a new stadium to be build - broken promise - to construction site and $3.4 billion+ plastered across the screen, then show a piece of failing local infrastructure to each North Queensland electorate. Mix that with ads of destroying Parkland to Brisbane city residents and you might end up with KAP as the new opposition party.

All this result does is move the option away from QAS, could actually work out better for the NRL. With all publicly released information pointing towards a refurbished Gabba. Could easily see them go with:

Step 1. $1.35 billion redevelopment of the Gabba (expand to the west to avoid any problems with the school group - only need to add ~10m East-West) Do a staged development if possible over 3 years, so that teams can still play there during, try to keep capacity around 30k by going bay by bay on the northern, eastern and southern side - then pick the quietest 6 month period (likely from October-April - Heat and Test match to play at Carrara for one summer - do it a year we're not playing India or England) to knock up a new western grandstand with high quality corporates - 2026-2028 - Final Capacity 42-45k

Step 2.
$1-1.35 billion Suncorp Stadium redevelopment - Broncos, Dolphins and QLD to play out of the newly renovated Gabba during this period, hopefully only for a year if they schedule it well. New Western Grandstand (currently 30 years old) - Allegiant Stadium quality corporates and expanded capacity to 60k would possibly draw an NRL Grand Final, if I was PVL I'd be lobbying for the Eastern side to get done up too and lock in 3 grand finals after it's built. Worth whatever financial negative it would bring, just for the negotiating power with the NSW government 2028-2030 - Final Capacity 60-70k

Opening Ceremony -
Have the main ceremony at Suncorp, due to the capacity - but have the Gabba filled and involved as well as the Brisbane River between the stadiums part of the ceremony too. Good way to have 102-115k tickets to sell and activate the rest of the city for the ceremony.
would also look bad considering one of their campaign slogans was something like "qld can't afford labor"
 

Jamberoo

Juniors
Messages
1,431
I know some on here would be happy to have a embarrassment of an Olympics as long as there is no new oval stadium, but you should know that the now most likely option, a rebuilt Gabba (either partly of fully) is easily the worst option for the AFL and Lions. Playing for four or more seasons in front of 20k at Metricon, or a temporarily expanded Showgrounds, or the Gabba if they do a staged rebuild, will be a massive setback for AFL.

It would instantly make the Dolphins the second most attended QLD team, and it would be great timing to bring in Brisbane 3.

In the end a rebuilt Gabba gives Brisbane a suitable Olympic stadium and a 40k - 45k capacity for cricket and AFL, which is all that they need.
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
33,542
I know some on here would be happy to have a embarrassment of an Olympics as long as there is no new oval stadium, but you should know that the now most likely option, a rebuilt Gabba (either partly of fully) is easily the worst option for the AFL and Lions. Playing for four or more seasons in front of 20k at Metricon, or a temporarily expanded Showgrounds, or the Gabba if they do a staged rebuild, will be a massive setback for AFL.

It would instantly make the Dolphins the second most attended QLD team, and it would be great timing to bring in Brisbane 3.

In the end a rebuilt Gabba gives Brisbane a suitable Olympic stadium and a 40k - 45k capacity for cricket and AFL, which is all that they need.
Not with the proposed relocation costs of 90 to 180 million
 

i0Nic

Juniors
Messages
79
A rebuilt Gabba as @Jamberoo mentions above would be a good result for the Olympics and a so-so result for AFL. The AFL will get a nice new stadium, whether partially or fully rebuilt, however with serious disruptions over at least 2-3 seasons. If the govt spent $3B on that, plus another 500-600m on Suncorp to upgrade the stadium and add another 5-10k seats, that would be a fantastic outcome for all.

A rebuilt Gabba is a great win for the NRL.
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
33,542
A rebuilt Gabba as @Jamberoo mentions above would be a good result for the Olympics and a so-so result for AFL. The AFL will get a nice new stadium, whether partially or fully rebuilt, however with serious disruptions over at least 2-3 seasons. If the govt spent $3B on that, plus another 500-600m on Suncorp to upgrade the stadium and add another 5-10k seats, that would be a fantastic outcome for all.
That’s an awful result
 

AlwaysGreen

Post Whore
Messages
50,031
Cricket will appreciate a revamped ground.

Gabba has become 5th in the pecking order when it comes to tests.

Not sure what they do with it in the winter months.
 

i0Nic

Juniors
Messages
79
The dominant sport of qld
As much as I want the AFL to get nothing, the worst outcome for the NRL would be a big shiny new oval at Victoria Park with zero disruption to the AFL. I can't see QSAC going ahead so that rules that out. An upgraded Gabba with a 3 season disruption to the AFL with the lions playing in a 20k ground or under construction Gabba is not a bad outcome. This is on the proviso that Suncorp receives a substantial upgrade as well.
 

Jamberoo

Juniors
Messages
1,431
Upgrading / expanding old stadiums is generally a waste of time and money. Eventually they need to be knocked down. A new build is the go. Suncorp has about 15 years of useful life left. Why spend hundreds of millions for 2032 when the whole thing will need replacing five to 10 years later.

The Gabba will be rebuilt slightly more narrow, so a little better for rectangular sports. I would wait until the Gabba is available, the do a full rebuild of Suncorp at 65k after 2032. Broncos can play at the Gabba while it is rebuilt.
 

Jetka100

Juniors
Messages
118
QSAC is definitely dead in the water. I think the LNP have boxed themselves into a Gabba rebuild with the no new stadium commitment unless they are willing to perform a spectacular backflip after the 100 day review. Putting aside the whole NRL vs AFL thing (which gets a bit tiresome), as a Brisbane resident I would rather 3 billion be put into a new stadium than 3 billion renovating the Gabba as it is a better return on investment but it will come down to politics as it always does.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
69,520
Clearly reads like QSAC is out the window, and the Gabba gets the chocolates.

Whatever your politics, it's a shit go for RL if that happens.
It’s literally a lose-lose for all sport. Suncorp needs a major facelift and expansion and Brisbane needs a brand new oval to keep pace with other cities. Doesn’t sound like either will happen.
 

Iamback

Referee
Messages
20,265
I know some on here would be happy to have a embarrassment of an Olympics as long as there is no new oval stadium, but you should know that the now most likely option, a rebuilt Gabba (either partly of fully) is easily the worst option for the AFL and Lions. Playing for four or more seasons in front of 20k at Metricon, or a temporarily expanded Showgrounds, or the Gabba if they do a staged rebuild, will be a massive setback for AFL.

It would instantly make the Dolphins the second most attended QLD team, and it would be great timing to bring in Brisbane 3.

In the end a rebuilt Gabba gives Brisbane a suitable Olympic stadium and a 40k - 45k capacity for cricket and AFL, which is all that they need.

More events are at Suncorp. All major concerts are at Suncorp... makes sense that it gets done
 

Latest posts

Top