Brighton Homes Arena (Springfield) discussions

[Fatcat08]

What email is this?

 

[GingerGreatness]

What email is this?

Sent by the club last night:

Board Update on Training & Admin Facilityfrom Andrew Wellington, Chairman, Training & Admin Facility Sub-Committee
I’d like to update members on progress of the review of our new training and administration facility.
The process of due diligence has continued with options open to the Club being examined by the committee of CEO Greg Swann and the three Directors not involved in the original decision - Sarah Kelly, Leigh Matthews and myself.
We continue to be encouraged by the interest from a range of stakeholders in working with us – even since our last member update in October, some new proposals have been received.
Presently, we are working through a process with the AFL to formalise the venues that are realistic options for the Club and collate detailed information on those options from interested parties. The sites being considered include, among others, Nathan, Brendale, Coorparoo, and Springfield.
The committee is mindful that a central Brisbane location is preferred by many, but any such option would have to be evaluated against all our criteria including being able to provide the club with long term opportunities to improve our financial stability.

As a reminder, the criteria that have been identified by the Club to help decide the best option for a new facility are:
· The availability of funding and overall financial impact on the Club;
· Implications for the Club's on-field performance including the well-being and retention of players and staff, having regard to both the quality of facilities and location;
· Opportunity to provide commercial activity on the site or in the immediate area;
· Opportunity to enhance engagement with supporters, sponsors and broader community;
· Potential to partner with other elite sporting organisations and/or community groups
The current process being conducted by this Committee largely commenced as a review of the decision reached by the previous Board, including the process followed.
While it may not have been well communicated at the time, the Committee can understand how the previous decision was reached given the then funding advantage the Springfield proposal had over other options and the potential commercial opportunities for the Club.
However, something that has become very apparent to the Committee is that the passage of time since the original decision on the venue has seen significant changes in the funding landscape and budgetary pressures on all levels of government.
This means that elements of the original assessment for a new venue that resulted in the selection of Springfield have to be re-performed – so in some respects we are starting again. What began as a review is effectively becoming a new process.
This is a significant decision for our Club and must not be rushed, and the reality is that the availability of sufficient funding to ensure any new facility is of an appropriate quality continues to represent a key challenge.
We are committed, with the help of the AFL, to ensuring a viable shortlist is developed through a professional and transparent process, no matter how long that takes.
The Club is working with government, community and football stakeholders to find a solution to the funding issue but in the meantime our current situation at the Gabba/Coorparoo is manageable, with our players and coaches consulted on this point. This is also evidenced by activity during the recent trade period where our current facilities did not prevent us from attracting significant new talent to our Club.
Put simply, unless we can find a appropriately funded option that meets our Club’s key criteria and helps take our Club forward, then we are satisfied that for now operating out of our existing facilities is a viable option.
While we do have a process in place to work with interested parties, and we are moving forward on understanding their proposals and funding availability, at this stage there is no fixed timeline in place to reach a resolution – the process will take as long as it takes to get the best result for the Club.
The review committee will continue its work and report back to you in the New Year, with the Club committed to keeping you updated as we move forward.
Thank you and Go Lions!
Andrew Wellington
Chairman, Training and Administration Facility Sub-Committee

 

[Quigley]

So basically they have stuffed it up and now have no funding to do anything.

It is already well recognised that our facilities are vastly inferior to that available to other teams in the competition and if the current board is not able to deliver anything then they should step aside for others who can. This is one of the major things which affects onfield performance which can validly be addressed by the Board and it seems that they are not capable of making a positive impact. That being said why are they there?

 

[blynd_freddie]

So basically they have stuffed it up and now have no funding to do anything.

It is already well recognised that our facilities are vastly inferior to that available to other teams in the competition and if the current board is not able to deliver anything then they should step aside for others who can. This is one of the major things which affects onfield performance which can validly be addressed by the Board and it seems that they are not capable of making a positive impact. That being said why are they there?

Can see how your opinion is reading the situation as more drowning than waving Quigs, the timing is interesting and does have quite a bit of GG's last point - I am inclined to wonder how much clearer his second last point might be after the vote?

Lot of stuff in that e-mail to unpack.

I got:
- Springfield is dead in the water;
- we may not be able to afford new facilities at the moment anyway;
- we'll get back to you;
- when you're filling in your voting slip, please don't hang the incumbents for the Springfield debacle.

 

[Alan Smithee]

what happens now to the drinking game you can play from 6mins into this video where you take a drink every time Sharpless says the Lions have B grade facilities?

 

[Alan Smithee]

Lot of stuff in that e-mail to unpack.

I got:
- Springfield is dead in the water;
- we may not be able to afford new facilities at the moment anyway;
- we'll get back to you;
- when you're filling in your voting slip, please don't hang the incumbents for the Springfield debacle.

If current board member Peter McGregor isn't even allowed to be on the relocation committee what does he actually do and why should he be voted back in by members?

 

[Alan Smithee]

This is the current board's approach to being re-elected:

 

[Haso]

This is the current board's approach to being re-elected:

 

[BuntonRules]

If current board member Peter McGregor isn't even allowed to be on the relocation committee what does he actually do and why should he be voted back in by members?

Victorian, mate. Does not live here, so it is a bit much to ask if he were to have any input into meetings, and cannot assess the pros & cons of each option.

I am no supporter of McGregor - would rather Thornton myself - but your political backstabbing is getting boring.

 

[Alan Smithee]

Victorian, mate. Does not live here, so it is a bit much to ask if he were to have any input into meetings, and cannot assess the pros & cons of each option.

I am no supporter of McGregor - would rather Thornton myself - but your political backstabbing is getting boring.

He was part of the board who originally decided the Lions should move to Springfield so your logic doesn't stand up....mate

 

[Skoob]

Victorian, mate. Does not live here, so it is would bee a bit much to ask if he were to have any input into meetings, and cannot assess the pros & cons of each option.

I am no supporter of McGregor - would rather Thornton myself - but your political backstabbing is getting boring.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Struggling to find the funny at this point. :/

It is exasperating to hear them suddenly describe the current arrangement as workable when we know for a fact that it is a terrible setup not just in terms of the facilities we can offer but also a massive financial ball and chain around our neck. Every additional year we stay at the Gabba we can basically lock in another 2 million dollars pissed up against the wall.

The club officially announced that a search was underway for a new training base in August 2011. Nearly three and a half years ago. Yet now after all this time, all this money, all this consternation and disenfranchisement of the supporters and subsequent political turmoil, what do we have?

A communique from the board that they are basically back at the starting point again. This is absolutely shit.

 

[Skoob]

He was part of the board who originally decided the Lions should move to Springfield so your logic doesn't stand up....mate

None of the board who selected Springfield are on the sub-committee, (for good reason) so actually your point doesn't stand up.

 

[Alan Smithee]

None of the board who selected Springfield are on the sub-committee, (for good reason) so actually your point doesn't stand up.

I disagree, Mortal Kombat on the Sega Genesis is the best video game ever

 

[Skoob]

Struggling to find the funny at this point. :/

It is exasperating to hear them suddenly describe the current arrangement as workable when we know for a fact that it is a terrible setup not just in terms of the facilities we can offer but also a massive financial ball and chain around our neck. Every additional year we stay at the Gabba we can basically lock in another 2 million dollars pissed up against the wall.

The club officially announced that a search was underway for a new training base in August 2011. Nearly three and a half years ago. Yet now after all this time, all this money, all this consternation and disenfranchisement of the supporters and subsequent political turmoil, what do we have?

A communique from the board that they are basically back at the starting point again. This is absolutely shit.

To be expected though. The previous posturing, pushing and wheeling & dealing for Springfield has led us here. The point made about changes to the situation (Governments, available venues and budget) understandably means starting again.
It also means it should be difficult to vote anyone previously involved, back in. (for those who can vote).

 

[Hollow Knight]

To be expected though. The previous posturing, pushing and wheeling & dealing for Springfield has led us here. The point made about changes to the situation (Governments, available venues and budget) understandably means starting again.
It also means it should be difficult to vote anyone previously involved, back in. (for those who can vote).

Wonder how many people who have already sent in their ballots would like a do-over in light of that press release...

I'm questioning the value of quite a few of the people on the board now. Sharpless obviously, but also blokes like Power... what are they giving us?

 

[Cousin Jed]

Shot across the bow of the governments? Give us more or we are staying?

 

[whatboutbob]

Shot across the bow of the governments? Give us more or we are staying?

Possibly. Impossible to know how many layers of intrigue to read into it though.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Shot across the bow of the governments? Give us more or we are staying?

Pondered that but if that is the best strategy we have at this point, heaven help us.

Anyone who takes a cursory glance at our financial reports, or various official statements declaring what a financial black hole the Gabba arrangement is would see right through it.

 

[BuntonRules]

None of the board who selected Springfield are on the sub-committee, (for good reason) so actually your point doesn't stand up.

This, mate.

 

[Skoob]

Wonder how many people who have already sent in their ballots would like a do-over in light of that press release...

I'm questioning the value of quite a few of the people on the board now. Sharpless obviously, but also blokes like Power... what are they giving us?

Well yeah.
Glad I have a clear conscience, being exempt from voting and all.

 

[Skoob]

Shot across the bow of the governments? Give us more or we are staying?

Would the Governments care? Are we of enough value to them?

 

[Skoob]

Wonder how many people who have already sent in their ballots would like a do-over in light of that press release...

I'm questioning the value of quite a few of the people on the board now. Sharpless obviously, but also blokes like Power... what are they giving us?

Indeed, I get the feeling that the club is a bit of a turd with flies hanging around, given the state of our facilities and the interest from developers.
Would like to see someone from the banking/finance sector and or tourism/hospitality with a genuine interest in the team. I mean a real high flyer. It will be interesting to see how many votes are lodged. Hopefully members have maintained their rage/interest and haven't dropped off thinking things have been fixed after last year.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Well yeah.
Glad I have a clear conscience, being exempt from voting and all.

Haven't mailed mine yet, thank god.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Wonder how many people who have already sent in their ballots would like a do-over in light of that press release...

I'm questioning the value of quite a few of the people on the board now. Sharpless obviously, but also blokes like Power... what are they giving us?

Posted yesterday. Might have to scoot down the post office "Hello. My name is KPMG, I believe you have a letter for me..."