Fears of Skilled Park price hike

[TITAN PETE]

Matthew Killoran | May 1st, 2013


THE Gold Coast Titans fan base could have cause for concern with fears ticket prices will rise under a proposal to hand over management of the club's home ground, Skilled Park, to the private sector.

Outsourcing the operation and management of major stadiums was among the 155 recommendations put forward under the Costello Commission of Audit released yesterday.

A sports management expert warned it would lead to a profit-driven operation and risk making Titans' games too expensive for families to see.

But Treasurer Tim Nicholls denied it would have any impact on ticket prices.

University of Queensland sports management expert Dr Sarah Kelly said there was a definite risk of ticket prices being driven up.

"With private companies it becomes a business decision and profit driven," she said.

"The risk side of it for consumers is ticket prices. This is already a concern with the major codes. Families are opting for television viewing because of ticket prices."

She said the potential upside would be cheaper food and drinks at the grounds.

"Private operators could renegotiate the supplier contracts to more reasonable prices of food and beverages," she said.

Gold Coast Titans boss David May declined to comment, with a spokesman saying it was not the club's place to comment on government policy at this time.

The Costello report recommended outsourcing the management and operation of five stadiums currently run by the State Government body Stadiums Queensland, including Skilled Park.

It said Stadiums Queensland was running at a $84 million loss before grants and contributions, which was why private sector involvement needed to be investigated to see if it could drive more cost efficiencies.

Mr Nicholls denied having the private sector take over stadium management would affect prices.

"No, not at all," he said.

"The government has accepted the report's recommendation in principle, but it will depend on a broader review currently taking place.

Opposition treasury spokesman Curtis Pitt said there was no guarantee sporting events would be affordable for families if stadiums were managed by the private sector.

[Surfers66]

Time to get Foxtel...

[DIEHARD]

This is a disgrace and runs completely against the purpose and spirit of the program.

So they really just want to pilfer the money the state gets from gambling right? And murder families and sports fans in the process.

[Toads]

Been saying it for some time now. Go strike up a deal with Southport Tigers 'n see what the possibilities could be. **** being held to ransom by Stadiums Queensland, or any other private entity. NRL keeps talking about grassroots footy. Well here's the opportunity, and make it affordable and worthwhile for families to go to the footy..

[Surfers66]

Been saying it for some time now. Go strike up a deal with Southport Tigers 'n see what the possibilities could be. **** being held to ransom by Stadiums Queensland, or any other private entity. NRL keeps talking about grassroots footy. Well here's the opportunity, and make it affordable and worthwhile for families to go to the footy..

What do you mean? Build another Stadium?

[DIEHARD]

I think the NRL will not go for that. There will be stadium standards coming in soon. It'd cost millions to make it viable. Love the concept though.

[Mexican titan]

Of course privatisation will not lead to higher prices. Since electricity, water went to private enterprise and the banking industry was de-regulated all of the costs for these services have come right down, haven't they?

[Toads]

What do you mean? Build another Stadium?

Nope, not necessarily. Use existing infrastructure, and bolster open seating to accommodate realistic crowd numbers. Something that resembles Shark Park or Brookevale Oval 'n so on.

NRL wants all this to be televised at the Grand Stadiums, but what's the point if the Clubs can't afford it. As with what's been mentioned recently. Only the Bunnies 'n Donkeys turned a profit last year.

[karnage]

Boutique stadiums work perfectly for TV because nothing looks worse than the coverage of a game with empty stands and no atmosphere. Brookvale Friday night was a perfect example of great TV, and the Bulldogs v Tigers game this Friday night will be just the opposite with atleast 60,000 empty seats surrounding the players. I get what you're saying with upgrading a suburban ground, and it seems like good sense but it won't happen.

It would be a massive backhander to the State Govt. though if there stadium sat there empty all the time. Their inflexible pricing structure drove Gold Coast United out of existence so the Titans are their only tennant - only people as stupid as those in Government could think it's a good idea to extort paying customers to the point where they won't return.

[Surfers66]

Well the Suns own Metricon......they could be approached.
As far as i am aware they are looking to accomodate more sports at their venue. The two codes working together and the stadium is as good as there is. Metricon is so much better than Skilled in every way other than it is round and not rectangular.

Im sure there is a 5 year contract with Skilled though, 5 year contract extension after 2 years or something haha

[Toads]

Well the Suns own Metricon......

http://www.stadiums.qld.gov.au/Our-Venues.aspx

Look at the very last listing of this page......

[Steve]

The NRL schedule is based around TV. When are most people at home and can watch on TV? Until they start looking at when is convenient for people to get to games, playing out of giant stadiums is pointless.

Skilled is already incredibly expensive, and if it's in private hands the aim will be to make a profit, not to provide a quality sports ground for the people.

Ticket prices will increase. Standards will drop. You can bet the incredibly overpriced food and drink will become even more expensive.

[Toads]

Boutique stadiums work perfectly for TV because nothing looks worse than the coverage of a game with empty stands and no atmosphere. Brookvale Friday night was a perfect example of great TV, and the Bulldogs v Tigers game this Friday night will be just the opposite with atleast 60,000 empty seats surrounding the players. I get what you're saying with upgrading a suburban ground, and it seems like good sense but it won't happen.

It would be a massive backhander to the State Govt. though if there stadium sat there empty all the time. Their inflexible pricing structure drove Gold Coast United out of existence so the Titans are their only tennant - only people as stupid as those in Government could think it's a good idea to extort paying customers to the point where they won't return.

Yup, I aware of this. But the way things are heading cost-wise, No Club would be able to afford the fees these venues will request if they're ever sold off to the private sector. If it continues this way. The NRL will have to step in and pay for these costs where Clubs can't pick up the tab at these venues.

Now ask yourselves this. Would that be a good or bad thing for the code long term?

[Surfers66]

http://www.stadiums.qld.gov.au/Our-Venues.aspx

Look at the very last listing of this page......

Yeah right, got my wires crossed me thinks.

[Toads]

Yeah right, got my wires crossed me thinks.

No worries, Mate. I checked for myself as well.

Here's another reason to why we should be located closer to Southport.

Southport to be official CBD

Shannon Willoughby, chief reporter | May 2nd, 2013

SOUTHPORT has been earmarked to become the Gold Coast's official CBD after council voted to request the suburb be classified a Priority Development Area (PDA).

Mayor Tom Tate will write to the State Government to request that Southport be classified as a PDA which would allow for the fast-tracking of development within the area and stop appeal rights for developments in the precinct. If accepted, it would be the first PDA for Queensland encompassing a CBD.

"If the state accepts my request, the first step will be to create a true CBD in Southport, which would include the old hospital site and the proposed Chinatown precinct," said Cr Tate.

"The creation of a PDA will not only cut red tape and streamline development decisions, it will create capacity for jobs and developer confidence for the area."

Southport MP Rob Molhoek said the move, if ticked off, would pave the way for development to go ahead before the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"It means we are well positioned over the next four to five years to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Commonwealth Games, the light rail and the old Gold Coast Hospital site," he said.

Source: goldcoast.com.au