Offside Set

CLMV · Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 682

So the stadium question looks like it is edging to a resolution, if recent reports in the Hun and 9 are correct.

30k ish
with some standing room - but we don't know yet whether that means actual terraces, or just standing around on the concourse, like at TD

and maybe it is still not too late to get the convertible terrace idea adopted - I think we should continue to lobby on that

GweedsOSS · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 553 Location: Northcote

I agree 100% and Cafu stated on the dark side that he may know the origin of where an anti-terrace opinion may come from.

So I think letters congratulating the Government on their decision and urging to have standing room behind the goals are in order.
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Rollins · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 467

A letter shall be sent, a 4k terrace would be brilliant. Very Happy

30k is not a bad size either Wink

Rollins · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 467

Victory nets stadium goal

Ellen Whinnett, state politics reporter

February 28, 2007 12:00am
Article from: Herald-Sun

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A RECTANGULAR stadium capable of catering for up to 34,000 will be the Government's final offer in the 18-month row over the city'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 soccer 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 MCG.

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 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.

"It sounds like they are considering removable seats" Cool

Is there a contact email? http://www.diird.vic.gov.au/CORPLIVE.3539210/STANDARD/865335622/PC_65141.html

GweedsOSS · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 553 Location: Northcote

This was a tiny item in 'The Age':

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 704

I haven't been following this conversation too closely, but does "squeeze" mean that there will be terracing at the ends??

GweedsOSS · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 553 Location: Northcote

Daydream · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 704

Standing room behind the seated areas?

CLMV · Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 682

tha part that bothers me is the stuff about 'going to a cabinet sub-comittee' and 'seeking approval'

that probably means they have to get important people on board to meet the higher cost - and I suspect there are those who won't want to do that

fingers crossed for a couple of days, I think