News Gabba Upgrade & Olympics News

[Mighty Lions]

Yeah, with a massive discount from government subsidies. I think it's a shame when public money is being spent for an ongoing private benefit.

Really??? Dont you think a lot of that "public money" spent also comes from private business...I dont think your short sightedness in this whole situation is living in the world the rest of us do.
In short, change is coming in our lives all the time whether you like it or not. I was (and still am) against change for change sake but rather change something for the betterment of everyone it will impact. Unfortunately thats not how the world turns anymore.
In saying that, this Gabba rebuild was always going to piss some people off (some more than others. ) but when the Olympic Games is all done & dusted, I'd like to think that Brisbane will be better off with improved infrastructure for us all to enjoy.

 

[Pacman82]

That’s true but I wouldn’t risk bringing in another Brisbane team as the 20th slot given the better options out there.

Just depends on how Brisbane will fare while being lockdown at the GABBA in the next couple of years.

Ideally in my world after Tasmania, would personally bring in Canberra / ACT as that 20th team, before relocating a small Victorian club (North Melbourne) to Darwin / NT and then bringing in WA3 and Brisbane 2 or FNQ as the 21st & 22nd teams in the mid-late 2040s while SA3 and NSW3 (Northern Sydney) come in around early 2060s.

Yeah I think SA3's probably the next to push thru from what I hear.

 

[Mighty Lions]

That’s true but I wouldn’t risk bringing in another Brisbane team as the 20th slot given the better options out there.

Just depends on how Brisbane will fare while being lockdown at the GABBA in the next couple of years.

Ideally in my world after Tasmania, would personally bring in Canberra / ACT as that 20th team, before relocating a small Victorian club (North Melbourne) to Darwin / NT and then bringing in WA3 and Brisbane 2 or FNQ as the 21st & 22nd teams in the mid-late 2040s while SA3 and NSW3 (Northern Sydney) come in around early 2060s.

Brisbane is not in a strong enough place to bring in another team the same as Melbourne are nowhere near ready for another NRL team.. The initial pain caused by bringing in the Suns is a good reminder of that.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Really??? Dont you think a lot of that "public money" spent also comes from private business...

So what? The point of taxation is to benefit the public, not just one private profit-making entity. If we can't agree on that, we're not going to agree on anything.

I dont think your short sightedness in this whole situation is living in the world the rest of us do.

I think you shouldn't speak for anyone else, since you routinely act like you're better than everyone else here.

In short, change is coming in our lives all the time whether you like it or not.

What a strange non-sequitur. I'm for change, just not change that screws over the public.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Brisbane is not in a strong enough place to bring in another team the same as Melbourne are nowhere near ready for another NRL team.. The initial pain caused by bringing in the Suns is a good reminder of that.

Agree but the AFL has quite a short memory IMO and given all this funding is being put in the stadiums in Brisbane now and the Olympics being held there, reckon the AFL would be really tempted to capitalise on what’s happening and try to get one-up on NRL (even though it would fault miserably).

My preference for the 20th team slot will always be Canberra / ACT but given GWS are heavily reliant on the ACT support (in terms of attendance), it’s probably going to interesting what will happen.

 

[Bulla Bullbrie]

After the Olympics, the Gabba will be the best AFL ground in Australia.

We will be blessed.

It will be Sweet Caroline in the sun and comfort.

 

[Pacman82]

Agree but the AFL has quite a short memory IMO and given all this funding is being put in the stadiums in Brisbane now and the Olympics being held there, reckon the AFL would be really tempted to capitalise on what’s happening and try to get one-up on NRL (even though it would fault miserably).

My preference for the 20th team slot will always be Canberra / ACT but given GWS are heavily reliant on the ACT support (in terms of attendance), it’s probably going to interesting what will happen.

Just announced Canberra's getting an A-League team incidentally. I've heard plenty of good arguments against them getting an AFL side & yeah I wouldn't want to see GWS loose that catchment area personally.

 

[wantok]

This is nothing but an insult. Is there much else this Government can stuff up or spin? It's nothing more than a political statement to keep the masses chewing on a bone for another year to get past the 2024 State Election. Yes ok we admit we forgot completely about Lions and Cricket dislocation but hey here's our great solution!
Another artists impression with a completely random cost figure. 45.7 million not 46 or 45 that would look like we just guessed again. Make it look like we actually thought about it.
The RNA is the correct solution but only if done correctly. The playing area needs to be extended at least 30 metres out into the existing "Machinery Hill" Stand. A new permanent Stand built there and a Temporary Stand built out over the Gregory Terrace footpath.
Anything less than this and we should walk away and build our own Stands at BHA. We can't compromise on playing area. If we are going to get shafted we may as well control it ourselves.


On SM-A525F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Quigley]

Just photoshop a few stands into Springfield. Announce a proposal to increase the capacity to 25000 with the intention to move permanently out there.

 

[Tom14]

 

[BangyBangy]

I'm sure the state government had thoroughly done their homework before announcing these plans.

All the marginal seats would've been sent opinion polls.

 

[rye]

bit naive of the state government to think the club is in the financial position to bankroll a stadium upgrade when we are in a not insignificant amount of debt after just finishing our new training facility. the idea of the afl contributing a significant amount to the showgrounds after loaning money to pay for springfield and with tasmania just around the corner is equally silly.

 

[Tom14]

bit naive of the state government to think the club is in the financial position to bankroll a stadium upgrade when we are in a not insignificant amount of debt after just finishing our new training facility. the idea of the afl contributing a significant amount to the showgrounds after loaning money to pay for springfield and with tasmania just around the corner is equally silly.

Don't think it is that naive at all, as BRAB said its just them proposing something they really aren't keen on doing properly in a way that puts all the onus on the club, afl and Qld Cricket to be the ones saying no.

 

[rye]

Don't think it is that naive at all, as BRAB said its just them proposing something they really aren't keen on doing properly in a way that puts all the onus on the club, afl and Qld Cricket to be the ones saying no.

i dont really know how much money either qld cricket or the rna has. it makes sense to me if the rna as the owners are going to be expected to cover a significant portion of the cost? just dont see either the club or the afl contributing any significant amount

unsure as to whether the rna really wants / needs the stands upgraded as a non queenslander either way.

 

[Warwick]

What an absolute *show this entire farce has been.

Easy for the state government to wash their hands of this debacle. They’ll just blame the BCC/Qld Cricket/Lions/RNA if financing can’t be secured. Does anyone really think the RNA are going to be interested in picking up the cheque?

Get ready for the commute to and from Metricon or Heritage or whatever that swamp is called. Looked the likely option when Brisbane ‘32 was announced, and no number of artist-inspired 3D designs will change that.

There’s a lot to be said for a totalitarian North Korean government at this rate. And they don’t demolish schools.

 

[Gibbo_88]

I could understand the Lions being asked to contribute to BHA upgrade but it is some real backwards thinking to get them and cricket to significantly contribute to a temporary solution that they will never be a part of beyond 2029. WTF, must be a lot more to play out over the next few months.

 

[Elixuh]

Will the ground be able to be used in late July and August every year during the Ekka? Will the livestock parade be the half time entertainment? So many questions.

 

[Elixuh]

Don't think it is that naive at all, as BRAB said its just them proposing something they really aren't keen on doing properly in a way that puts all the onus on the club, afl and Qld Cricket to be the ones saying no.

Ultimately the onus will be on the state gov to make this work. They have two guns to their head - the fact that they pursued the Olympics + the terrible optics heading into an election of spending hundreds of mils on stadiums when people are struggling to pay bills and get by. No win situation they’ve backed themselves into.

 

[M Malice]

Lions just posted this on lions.com.
RNA Option

1 December 2023

Brisbane Lions, Chief Executive Officer, Greg Swann:

"It’s pleasing this process is finally moving forward and the Government supports the RNA option as a displacement solution for the Lions.

"Naturally, a displacement of four or more years represents a major upheaval to the Lions as a club, our fans and members, and we need to ensure we’re as strong as possible to return to the Gabba when it is complete.

"As the Government has said, today is a starting point, and there is a lot of detail to work through.

“We will continue dialogue with Government and other stakeholders regarding progressing the RNA as quickly as possible to ensure the project can be funded and the Club is supported through displacement."
_____________________________________

To me it reads like the RNA is definitely the clubs preferred option. IMO we wont end up having to pay 1 cent towards the RNA upgrade.

 

[Viceregal]

Based on the figures bouncing around further up ... are they offering to upgrade the RNA Showgrounds but leave it with less seating than it has now?

 

[Billy ray]

Time to open up a dialogue with Qatar and Saudi Arabia to take over the 2032 Olympics

 

[M Malice]

Time to open up a dialogue with Qatar and Saudi Arabia to take over the 2032 Olympics

What about Shanghai Billy? The Suns could help big brother out with their contacts in that area of the world.

 

[Billy ray]

good times

 

[BangyBangy]

Will the ground be able to be used in late July and August every year during the Ekka? Will the livestock parade be the half time entertainment? So many questions.

All the free fertilizer is bound to help our bottom line.

 

[Dalions]

All the free fertilizer is bound to help our bottom line.

There is a positive to be found in everything