I Just re-listened to an interview with the Suncorp CEO From early 2024. The upgrade cash would be spent on three things - more seats, replacing the tiny video screens, and improving access.
The best place to install new screens would be in two of the corners. So you could add maybe 3k new seats in the other corners, plus 2k seats where the current screens are. That gives you 57k - 58k.
Or, if funds are limited just add screens in the corners, and seats where the screens now are. Around 55k. This could be done for not much more than the cost of installing screens.
Correct, that works for minor seating upgrades. The major seating upgrades in working with pre-existing structural provisions require substantial more re-work and thought.
Eliminating internal awnings due to the awning supporting columns locations coming down on the 4 stadium corners. The area where “major” seating upgrades were to occur.
New awning supporting columns would require to come up externally (where pre existing pylon foundations and footings are present) with a new awning being built.
Extension of the existing shear/blade walls located internally in the corners of the structure to take extra weight of the built in stadium corners.
New pre-cast tilt panels connecting to the existing corner tilt panels. These also act as the perimeter walls for the stair wells.
New concrete slabs built in combination with elements of structural steel to support further seating in corners. These slabs being tied between new tilt panels and columns for slabs support coming up via pre existing provisions in existing slabs below - which also tie back into new shear/blade walls extensions to take the extra weight.
Entire new lighting layout required in new awning.
Bit to it. Costly. Provisions exist but I don’t believe they were ever intended to really be acted on.