Melbourne's New Stadium

[Capital_Shark]

I'm pretty sure its all a done deal now anyway and soccer doesn't have enough push yet to warrant making drastic changes. There is argument for the whole 'riding the world cup wave' when it comes to crowds. Not to mention the lack of Victorian teams going well in the AFL.

O'Neill confirmed on Thursday the FFA does have the power to move franchises that aren't up to scratch in certain performance criteria despite all clubs holding five-year licences.

Doubt they'll be jumping the gun and making changes to OPII if there is the chance the Victory have a couple horror years and get moved.

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

Hopefully Melbourne Storm won't get jibbed too much with this proposal.

[Eel 33]

Well if they are jibbed, if i were David Gallop and Brian Waldron, id be after some sort of compensation from the FFA. Amounting too what, i don't know.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Well if they are jibbed, if i were David Gallop and Brian Waldron, id be after some sort of compensation from the FFA. Amounting too what, i don't know.

I willl say nothing else because I am a Sydney FC supporter, but to say welcome to the world of the Melbourne Victory, who couldn't care less about anyone else except themselves.

The Storm should still get their stadium though, and here's hoping the Victorian Government gives it to them, because they deserve it, regardless of what might occur between the Victory and the Dome.

[DIEHARD]

Melbourne needs bigger rectangular stadium



A new $190 million 20,000-seat soccer and rugby league stadium at Melbourne's Olympic Park is facing an overhaul before it is even built amid concerns that it is not big enough.

Melbourne Victory Football Club and the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust are working on a plan for an alternative stadium for up to 30,000.
The State Government announced plans for a futuristic bubble-shaped stadium, to be built by 2009, in April.

The stadium was to initially seat 20,000 but be able to be extended to 25,000.

But fears are growing the stadium could be a white elephant -- virtually obsolete before it is even built.

Key tenant Melbourne Victory is averaging crowds of more than 32,000 a match in seven homes games at Telstra Dome this season.

Victory chief executive Geoff Miles would not reveal details of the alternative, but said the issue was likely to be resolved within "the next few weeks".

A spokesman for new Major Projects Minister Theo Theophanous said he had already met with Melbourne Victory.

Herald Sun

[Queenslander]

Doubt over Melbourne's rectangular stadium

Planning for Melbourne's proposed new rectangular sports stadium is in disarray, with the State Government in a quandary over seating capacity, budget blow-outs and threats of compensation claims by rival venue Telstra Dome.

Well-placed sources have confirmed that the new home for A-League soccer club Melbourne Victory and National Rugby League side Melbourne Storm was close to being scrapped by the Government late last year and does not have the support of senior cabinet members.

Construction giant Grocon yesterday said it believed a Government review of the size and budget of the multimillion-dollar project had put it on hold.

In April, Premier Steve Bracks revealed a scheme by Cox Architects to build a 20,000-seat, $190 million stadium at Edwin Flack field, next to Olympic Park. Builders Grocon, Baulderstone Hornibrook, Abi Group and Leighton were invited to bid.

But now the Government is under intense pressure to increase capacity because of Victory's success and popularity. The club has dominated the A-League and has attracted average crowds of 30,000 in the seven matches it has played at Telstra Dome since quitting the smaller Olympic Park earlier this season.

This week the Government wrote to the bidders flagging an increase in the stadium size and budget.

In the letter, a Major Projects Victoria officer said the Government was "still finalising the overall capacity" that would "allow the final funding arrangements to be finalised". Under the tender deal, a contract was to be let by March 1 and construction finished in 2009. But the letter acknowledges there will be a "delay" in moving to the next stage of the tender process.

Victory has told the Government that a 20,000-seat stadium would be obsolete before it was built, and an embarrassment.

It has not yet signed a deal with the Government to make the new stadium its home and is being hotly courted by Telstra Dome.

The team will play its home matches at Telstra Dome until the end of the 2008-09 season.

Despite the Government brief seeking bids on a stadium with a capacity of 20,000, at least two of the builders have proposed 30,000-seat schemes.

Victory is believed to want a minimum capacity of at least 30,000, which would allow it to play most games at the new venue but move blockbusters to the larger Telstra Dome.

Worsening the predicament is a deal the Government struck with Telstra Dome during the early planning for the Docklands venue. Telstra Dome can seek compensation if the Government opens a stadium of 25,000 or more seats within 10 years of its opening in 2000.

The new stadium's future is looking increasingly uncertain, with senior Government, sporting and building industry sources agreeing that Spring Street is "in a pickle".

"They've painted themselves into a fine old corner," one development source said.

A Government insider confirmed that a seating capacity of 27,750 could be accommodated in the existing Cox design. But greater size would require a total redesign and create a huge cost blow-out.

The project, believed to have been initially costed at $80 million and last year officially at $190 million, is now believed to be edging towards $250 million.

Sources say bureaucrats working on the project have gone back to the Government, seeking more money to cover an expansion.

"Obviously, if we build more seats more money will be required, yes," a senior Government source said.

Without Victory, which would play a minimum of 10 home A-League matches a season plus high-profile Asian Champions League matches, the project looks doomed.

Government, building industry and sporting sources agree it is highly unlikely the Government would spend so much money for a stadium for rugby league games attracting an average crowd of about 10,500.

Grocon spokeswoman Jane Wilson the company looked forward to the Government resolving its capacity and financial issues soon.

Government spokesman Licardo Prince said Melbourne Victory's success had affected crowd numbers. He said the Government was discussing capacity issues with tenderers but remained committed to a 20,000-seat stadium, with scope to expand to 25,000.

Telstra Dome chief Ian Collins declined to comment.

Some sports industry observers believe the simplest solution would be to spend a much smaller sum refurbishing Olympic Park for Melbourne Storm and other tenants. Soccer could be catered for through the construction of a 40,000-plus stadium elsewhere that could also host Socceroo matches against high-profile opponents.

Royce Millar and Michael Lynch
The Age

[Steelers]

Let's hope that this can sort itself out quickly and get this stadium built ASAP. The Storm need a new stadium, and I am sure that the Victory would want a rectangular stadium alot more than the Dome.

[Casey's Angel27]

I really hope we get the new stadium... Then the Storm can attract more people to the games and we will have a higher average attendance... I hope

[DIEHARD]

30,000 goal for stadium

Melbourne's proposed rectangular stadium could yet be increased to 30,000 seats, but soccer officials concede that figure is the maximum Melbourne Victory fans can hope for at their new home ground.

Sunday night's crowd of 55,436 at Telstra Dome for the A-League grand final highlighted the concerns of soccer officials, who fear the Victory's growing popularity could be stymied under the original plans for a new stadium capable of housing 20,000 to 25,000 spectators.

After pressure from the Victory and soccer officials, the State Government has investigated ways to increase the capacity to 27,500. The Football Federation of Australia asked the Government to consider a 30,000 capacity and the Government has agreed to investigate.

Premier Steve Bracks said yesterday that a resolution on the stadium size was close.

Football Federation Australia head of operations Matt Carroll said it would not waste its time lobbying for anything larger than a 30,000-seat stadium because "it's just not going to happen".

Source: TheAge.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Victory stance grounds for war

THE Victoria Government has threatened to seek a rival A-League team for Melbourne if Melbourne Victory snubs a planned new rectangular stadium and signs with Telstra Dome.

Major projects minister Theo Theophanous said last night the state government would approach Football Federation Australia to bring a second team to Melbourne if Victory refused to commit to the $190 million rectangular stadium the government plans to build at Edwin Flack Field.
The threat comes after talks between Victory and the government failed to resolve the deadlock over the proposed stadium, which would house the NRL's Melbourne Storm, the AFL's Melbourne and, the government hopes, the A-League's Victory.

Theophanous confirmed last night that Victory chairman Geoff Lord had suggested to him this week that the government abandon the planned stadium and instead spend $50 million modifying Telstra Dome to better showcase sports that use rectangular playing fields.

The government rejected the proposal and Theophanous reaffirmed its commitment to building the new stadium, at an increased size of at least 27,500 seats.

"I made it clear to him that we would be building the stadium," Theophanous said.

He said he would not let Victory's "sweetheart arrangement" with Telstra Dome stop the government building the stadium, which is already months behind schedule.

"If Melbourne Victory does not want to go in, we would approach the FFA and if, soccer continued to be popular, ask them to consider a second team," Theophanous said.

"We would approach the FFA and see if there is a potential for a second team for Melbourne."

Theophanous said the FFA had to sign off on any deal done by the Victory, and his understanding was the FFA supported building a specialised stadium for sports that required a rectangular pitch.

The privately owned Melbourne Victory was founded by Lord two seasons ago.

After winning this season's A-League minor premiership, Victory will host the grand final on Sunday week in a game which is expected to see more than 50,000 fans packed into Telstra Dome.

Victory, which this season moved from the 16,000-capacity Olympic Park to Telstra Dome because of increased crowds, initially supported a new 20,000-seat stadium.

But it now says a much bigger stadium is needed, as it averages 30,000 fans a game.

The government promises to expand the venue to hold 27,500 fans have so far failed to break the negotiations deadlock.

Lord refused to detail his preferred choice of stadium.

But he said he had suggested to the Government it keep the $150 million it had promised for the rectangular stadium, and instead spend it on health, water or education services.

"It was an idea, one of several discussed," Lord said.

"It was only one option but the point was made the money could be redeployed on water, health and education.
"The government was non-committal."

Lord said the government could instead spend $50 million reconfiguring Telstra Dome, where Victory plans to play its next two seasons.
He said with the AFL due to take over Telstra Dome in 2025, the government would need to seek permanent access arrangements at the Dome, and sub-lease to clubs such as Victory.

"We asked for a 40,000-seat stadium," he said. "I think the government is probably of the view to build a smaller one.

"Some people say, 'If you're going to have a smaller stadium, you can just put the prices up'. But our members and supporters come first for us."
Under an A-League agreement, no second team can be brought into Melbourne until after 2010.

But this is unlikely to worry the government as the planned stadium would not be completed until at least 2009.

A clause that requires compensation to be paid to Telstra Dome if a large stadium is built in Melbourne expires in 2010.

Victory attracted an A-League record 50,033 fans to the round 16 match against Sydney FC at the Dome in December.

Last Sunday 47,400 watched the club clinch its place in the grand final with a 2-1 triumph against Adelaide United.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au

[Old Diehard]

I really hope we get the new stadium... Then the Storm can attract more people to the games and we will have a higher average attendance... I hope

With people continued migration to Melbourne from NSW,Qld,NZ & South Africa rugby (both codes) should increase in popularity & attendance....as for born and breed Victorians who knows. Juniors figures are increasing there (but worringly not at the same rate Aussie Rules juniors figures are in Qld!), but pleasingly reading the South East Queensland Stingers magazine (junior rugby league here)- girls rugby league at schools is increasing in popularity (and that should encourage the boys to play!). The Vic Government will only be swayed by how many votes are in for them ( God I am cynical about politicians- except for blokes like Terry MacKenroth who I gave a big wrap this week! in the forum ) OK I admit I vote labor so Terry Mackenroth (even though he supports that Stones Corner Mob) is cool.

[DIEHARD]

The hard work of the rugby league to grow rugby league in Victoria is paying off, with participation up from 4,000 to 26,000 over the last year. There are also some other moves being planned that will make fans happy in Victoria.

[DIEHARD]

Victory nets stadium goal

A rectangular stadium capable of catering for up to 34,000 will be the Victoria Government's final offer in the 18-month row over the Melbourne's newest sports arena.
A Cabinet sub-committee will this week receive a proposal for the Government to pay for the new stadium, at a cost of more than $200 million.

It is believed the plan would include seating for 31,000 people.

Standing room for up to another 3000 people would be considered after the stadium was built.

Major Projects Minister Theo Theophanous refused to confirm any specifics of the design

But Mr Theophanous said the Government had agreed to consider a larger stadium after a request from Football Federation Australia.

The Government agreed 18 months ago to build a 20,000-seat stadium at Olympic Park to host Melbourne Storm rugby league team, Melbourne Victory football team and the Melbourne AFL team.

But Victory's success this year drew big crowds, and the club had refused to sign up to the new stadium, pushing for a much larger venue with a capacity somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000.

The Government was frustrated with Victory, saying the club had reneged on its original agreement. Storm and the Demons were also angered by delays to the building of their new home ground, planned for Edwin Flack Field, in the sports area near the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

There was also concern the Government's new stadium could not match the cut-price deal being offered to Victory by cross-town rival Telstra Dome, which hosted several Victory games, including the grand final that drew more than 55,000 two weeks ago.

The deal is thought to have included a sweetener in which Telstra Dome would not bill Victory for 9000 people who attended each game, meaning the club could significantly improve its financial returns on the cost of the tickets it sells to those people.

But it now appears likely a compromise will be reached and Victory will sign for the stadium, which is already behind schedule.

The Government is thought to be reluctant to include standing areas, for security and safety reasons.

But it's believed it may agree to include them after consulting the clubs and police.

"The Government is looking at all options and is in very close negotiations with Melbourne Victory and Football Federation of Australia about the size of the new stadium," Mr Theophanous said.

"We are looking at an increase in the size of the stadium at the request of the FFA.

"The FFA has asked us to look at a large size and we've done a lot of detailed analysis of that."

Mr Theophanous would not reveal what offers the Government had made to the Victory.

Asked if the Government could match the Telstra Dome offers, the minister said: "We will not provide the stadium at a completely non-commercial basis."

The potential compromise deal appeared to mean the Government would abandon its threat to push for a second A-League team for Melbourne if Victory refused to sign up.

Ellen WhinnettHerald Sun

http://www.austadiums.com/

[DIEHARD]

Victory for a bigger stadium

A NEW-look sports stadium for Melbourne will be announced today.

The redesigned stadium -- to seat 31,500 fans if Melbourne Victory come on board or 27,750 without the soccer club -- will be unveiled by Premier Steve Bracks.
The announcement will end more than 18 months' speculation over the stadium.

The Government will today announce its preferred bidder for the Olympic Park project.

Detailed talks will then begin immediately over construction, with the deal expected to be finalised within a few weeks.

Melbourne Victory has so far refused to sign up to the new ground because it wants a 40,000-plus venue.

"If Victory is not with us then it will be frozen out for good," a government source warned yesterday.

The 27,750-seater option will cost $256 million, with most money coming from the government.

The 31,500-capacity option, including Victory as one of the tenants, is understood to cost a few million dollars more.

The new stadium, due to be finished in 2009, will not differ significantly from the original 20,000-capacity design.

But it is likely the stands will be extended towards the pitch sidelines and additional seats will be fitted behind each goal.

The announcement will place immense pressure on Victory.

Telstra Dome, which has hosted several Victory games this year, has offered the champions a cut-price deal to stay there for 10 years.

But that could leave Victory playing most games in a half-full stadium not designed for soccer.

And the expected arrival of a second Melbourne team in the A-League in 2010, playing in the new purpose-built rectangular stadium, could signal a mass exodus of Victory fans.

The Government has said it is happy for Victory to switch to the MCG or Telstra Dome for blockbuster matches, such as games against Sydney FC, if it chooses Olympic Park as its main base.

Government sources said the stadium could also host a Melbourne rugby union team if the Super 14 expands again.

"This is the best possible stadium for fans of soccer, rugby league and rugby union," a government source said yesterday.

"We have made it clear that we will go ahead with or without the Victory."

Source: http://www.NEWS.COM.AU

[Sideline Eye]

The new Olympic Park will be a jewel in the rugby league crown. Olympic Park even though it is an awful ground has amazing atmosphere.

More rectangular grounds showing off rugby league in the best way is the way forward.

Finally we will have top class facilities. The Storm's future is secure.

Why spend all that money for a ground that will only hold 18,000-20,000? thats ridiculous for mine. Melbourne is a one city team and the city has a population of at least 2 million maybe more. The old North Sydney oval only held 20,000 max and it was one of the reasons Norths wanted to move to the Central Coast. In a city the size of Melbourne you need a ground with a 30,000 capacity at least. Melbourne Victory will draw more than 30,000 every week they play there. Good move Melbourne build an all seater holding 18-20 thousand duh.

Diehard I just read your last post. Thats more like it 31,500 would be excellent.