Eureka Stadium (Mars Stadium)

[budge27]

Roogal what do you think of the design ?

Designs revealed for Mars Stadium upgrade

New renders have been revealed for the next stage of the Mars Stadium upgrade in Ballarat, with works set to continue despite the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

www.austadiums.com

 

[Roogal]

Roogal what do you think of the design ?

Designs revealed for Mars Stadium upgrade

New renders have been revealed for the next stage of the Mars Stadium upgrade in Ballarat, with works set to continue despite the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

www.austadiums.com

View attachment 1972065

I am not 100% sure whether they are quite appropriate for Ballarat. They will be very cold and exposed in Winter IMO. I didn't have a problem with the original Peddle Thorp designed stand on the Western side of the oval. With its cantilever roof design and geometric pattern back wall, it provides better cover from the rain and wind. The design of the new stands doesn't look that original to me. They are very reminiscent of Adelaide Oval.

I didn't at first understand why they have designed two stands side by side when one single large stand would have occupied a smaller area. I have thought this one through and looking at the diagram above I would say that it is done this way so that in the future the Eastern Stand can be easily modified to visually match the new pair and create symetry on the Eastern side of the ground if any future stadium expansion is to occur. Because of the split level design on the new stands, the design can be easily incorporated into any future addition of seating rows on the Eastern Stand and incorporate the same roof design above any seating additions.

It must be noted that the Western Stand on the other side of the oval was a compromise with its roof design from the beginning because it was not permtted to be too high as to cast a shadow over the houses immediately behind in White Avenue during the mornings. So the original design was significantly modified to have the cantilevered roof and rounded back. Accordingly, it was given a height limit of just 17 metres at its highest point, which is the roof line around the boundary.

It appears that the high points of the new roofs will be about 25 metres which may even allow for mounting of some additional ground lighting.

 

[From The Pocket]

I am not 100% sure whether they are quite appropriate for Ballarat. They will be very cold and exposed in Winter IMO. I didn't have a problem with the original Peddle Thorp designed stand on the Western side of the oval. With its cantilever roof design and geometric pattern back wall, it provides better cover from the rain and wind. The design of the new stands doesn't look that original to me. They are very reminiscent of Adelaide Oval.

Someone's definitely been in the Adelaide Oval western stands, surprised they didn't add some ivy vines at the back while they're at it.

 

[Roogal]

Two images showing differences Stage 1 (2017) and Stage 2 (2022):

 

[beema limapep]

Bump - had to dig for it but found it. Funding confirmed today in the state budget papers for the redevelopment including +5,000 seats

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[beema limapep]

I have thought this one through and looking at the diagram above I would say that it is done this way so that in the future the Eastern Stand can be easily modified to visually match the new pair and create symetry on the Eastern side of the ground if any future stadium expansion is to occur. Because of the split level design on the new stands, the design can be easily incorporated into any future addition of seating rows on the Eastern Stand and incorporate the same roof design above any seating additions.

I think so. The bottom split level of the two new stands appears to more or less match the pitch and number of rows to the northern Stand (8 to 9 rows). With the roof of the northern largely being demountable and not fixed to the 8 to 9 rows, it's an easy convert to a third or 4th 2,500 seater if they can squeeze it in between the boundary and Creswick Rd.

 

[Roogal]

I think so. The bottom split level of the two new stands appears to more or less match the pitch and number of rows to the northern Stand (8 to 9 rows). With the roof of the northern largely being demountable and not fixed to the 8 to 9 rows, it's an easy convert to a third or 4th 2,500 seater if they can squeeze it in between the boundary and Creswick Rd.

The image below shows the original steel skeleton print for the existing portions of the stadium. You are right, the roof over the Eastern Stand was designed to be very easily removed by unbolting the rear ground posts (illustrated in the second image below) and cutting off the inner supports. As part of the redevelopment the of the roof and back geometric perspex paels covering the first seating bay will be removed in order to allow a clear sight line from the top rows of the north section the new stands to what would have otherwise been a blind spot on the north eastern boundary.

Image source: Kingfield Steel

The image above shows the original concrete backing and the roof footings behind the Eastern Stand during the early stages of the construction. The inner posts that presently support the roof and the footings that anchor it to the rear are visible.

Simply removing the rear concrete and replacing with a reduced height concrete slab and cutting off the posts would facilitate the addition of a pedestrian path behind the first eight rows of seats and building up the next rows of seat terrace from there. The seat terrace on that portion of the ground would need to be raised so as to provide clearance above the existing Gate 1 and kiosk structure.
​

I can indeed foresee that over time, that as this stadium evolves, and the City of Ballarat puts its own flourishes to it and the roadway and railway accesses are developed that it will well become one of Australia's favorite regional stadiums. It will indeed be boutique, but favored because of the intimacy that spectators will feel with games and performances. Anybody who has sat in the existing stands at the ground since 2017 will tell you how close and engaged that you feel to the field because of the steep pitch of its seats. You only have to be sitting a few rows back and yet you are already 110 cm above the field and like the MCG and Marvel it's surface is flat with no annoying dome in the middle. Spectators can see exactly where the ball is from any position around the ground. This stadium has a lot of potential to be something special not only to the AFL, but potentially 20/20 cricket and other stadium events.

 

[Ballarat Bob]

It would be good that the AFL looks at one of the home Dogs games there to play one of the Adelaide teams. In the early 2000's a lot of Port fans would stay in Ballarat before finals and it would make more sense if the AFL could schedule the game for Saturday afternoon or night so fans from Adelaide could do a weekender and travel down on the Saturday stay overnight and back on Sunday (maybe on a long weekend) Although there might be a few superfans from Gold Coast and GWS who are prepared to make the trek via Melbourne at least Adelaide fans could drive or coach it directly to Ballarat
It does have a lot of potential for winter and summer sports. They really need to get up near 25k capacity to really make it viable and attract bigger games and events.

 

[Roogal]

It would be good that the AFL looks at one of the home Dogs games there to play one of the Adelaide teams. In the early 2000's a lot of Port fans would stay in Ballarat before finals and it would make more sense if the AFL could schedule the game for Saturday afternoon or night so fans from Adelaide could do a weekender and travel down on the Saturday stay overnight and back on Sunday (maybe on a long weekend) Although there might be a few superfans from Gold Coast and GWS who are prepared to make the trek via Melbourne at least Adelaide fans could drive or coach it directly to Ballarat
It does have a lot of potential for winter and summer sports. They really need to get up near 25k capacity to really make it viable and attract bigger games and events.

Night games there would need to be scheduled very early in the season because of travel for fans and avoiding the Winter cold. The lighting there needs to be boosted threefold. I don't think that a lighting upgrade is to be included as part of the latest works. Adelaide will likely play there next year, although capacity might be reduced due to construction works and the associated removal of the main hill. It would be helpful if the council can arrange for a temporary 4000 seat scaffold stand to be placed at the scoreboard end while construction works are underway.

I doubt the ground will ever hold 25K. Looking at the images for the new works I'm reckoning on its 2026 capacity to become 13500, or about the same as Canberra's Manuka Oval. Mars Stadium may have future expansion potential by the rearward extension of the Eastern Stand above Gate 1 which would add another 2000 seats, and the construction of a permanent 4000 seat stand at the existing Showgrounds end. That would create a 16000 seater. Anything beyond that would require complete demolition and redvelopment of the North Ballarat Sports Club. The club facility was first completed in 1991 and progressively expanded throughout the 90s.

That said, I am reckoning that post 2026 that any significant works in the precinct will involve new light towers and the train platform in the vicinity of the Norman Street rail crossing. I can't see the Midland Highway (Creswick Road) being widened for at least another several years because the trigger for that will be the urban expansion to the North of the Western Freeway, not any stadium expansion. That's my best guess. There are many other higher priority projects begging for funding in Ballarat such as the Duplication of Dyson Drive and Carnham Road, the Midland Highway Western bypass, a new airport access road and the next stage of the airport's main runway upgrade to name but a few.

 

[Ballarat Bob]

A fair proportion of Ballarat wouldn't mind North Ballarat club getting bulldozed
Don't see a problem with night games after a lighting upgrade. Scheduling games earlier in the year wouldn't make much difference re the cold , it's always freaking cold in Ballarat at night in the winter (tends to be less windy than during the day).
Ballarat council need to attract five or six major events to the stadium each year and the business case for a basic platform at the stadium would be easy. Mind you we are talking about the Ballarat city council....

 

[Roogal]

Attended the information session last Wednesday, in summary this is what is to occur as part of this next staged upgrade:

Pros:

• Two new stands to be built with a combined capacity of 5000. They will have a disabled access lift, add more toilets, change rooms and reserved areas for food vans underneath.
• A modest expansion of the Southern boundary to improve standing space is to be developed in front of the video scoreboard and will join onto the existing old scoreboard hill.
• Video scoreboard to be shifted around the boundary and raised slightly.
• A new modern athletics centre to be built with large pavilion and tiered seating in front.
• The athletics track is to be the same colour shade of purple as the track to be used in Paris.
• A small car park to be built adjacent to Howitt Street to serve the athletics centre.
• Entire precinct to be re-landscaped and feature elevated pathways and remove all steps and ramps for improved disability access.
• A new club pavilion is to be built at the Number 2 North Ballarat Oval.

Cons:

• No lighting upgrades will occur - Not in the project's scope
• No train platform to be built - Not in the project's scope.
• No additional car parking - Not in the project's scope.
• Only a modest increase to stadium capacity to be likely 12-12,500.

What I did find out that wasn't expected was that the Ballarat Council are presently studying options for a future lighting upgrade. We also discussed the option of a future expansion of the Eastern stand near Gate 1. The council spokesman said that there presently isn't enough room between existing stand and current fenceline to shift the existing light rearward to accomodate an extended stand. He said that the council is seeking approval from State Government to shift a section of the stadium's boundary several metres outward toward the Midland Highway. Once that occurs, the future development beyond the current upgrade will involve increasing capacity of the Eastern Stand to around 2500-3000 and adding a roof to match the two new stands that are about to be constructed.

 

[Roogal]

Latest High-Resolution Artists Renders - Click on images below to view large high-resolution images.



Above: Colour changes illustrate a more realistic depiction of the new facilities including the purple running track and colours of brickwork.



Above: Looking Eastward across from the existing Eureka Stand

Above: The front of the new Regional Athletics Centre Club House

Above: The new Regional Athletics Centre Club House

 

[Roogal]

Interesting photo of Mars Stadium taken last Friday. You can see where the Council had to replace 3 sections of turf prior to the recent AFL game due to damage to the surface from its intensive local football schedule and the wet Winter. This photo was taken one day before the Central Highlands Football League Grand Final.You can see the farm equipment from the League's major sponsor Brandt Machinery on display on the hill to the left of the scoreboard. For the Grand Final some 6000 very hardy people braved a 9 degree day with hail, showers, sun and an icy cold Southerly to see Daylesford overcome Bungaree in the big game.

Interestingly, the Ballarat Football and Netball League haven't resolved their scrap with the North Ballarat Sports Club over bar takings and again will play their Grand Final at the city's older City Oval with its limited facilities, lack of toilets and only protection for spectators being a ring of elm trees that encircle the oval (Noting that the Elm trees have no leaves on them yet). If the weather for that final is anything like last Saturday I cannot imagine the spectators being either impressed or turning up in numbers.

Note that the photo below shows where demolition works are now underway at the old showgrounds with three major sheds already removed. Demolition of the old stables along White Avenue is underway. Full demolition and site clearance is expected to be completed by early December in preparation for construction of the new athletics centre to commence in January. There are still several large buildings and sheds to be removed plus asphalt roads, sewerage, stormwater, and electrical conduits need to be removed after. Given the facility was built in 1934 and given updates between the 1940s to 1980s one would assume that there would be a certain amount of asbestos removal too.



The City Oval - A nice ground, but only when the weather is playing nice too.

 

[The Punter]

We didn't have a wet winter...

 

[Roogal]

We didn't have a wet winter...

Yes that's true, but when it's overcast and cold the wet grounds do not dry out as there is no evaporation occurring. The ground is certainly wet and boggy across regional Victoria ATM. God help us if we get another early cyclone season in Queensland again this year because Victoria would not cope with any extra rain over Summer as it has endured for the last four years. The state's major dams are ALL at 90% capacity on average and wouldn't cope with the overflows over Summer. While it's been drier than average this Winter, the state has the lingering effects of the soaking that it copped from last Summer. The cold weather and overcast conditions this Winter haven't allowed the ground anywhere to dry out. Another wet October, or and early cyclone system to the North would see the Goulburn, Thompson, Campaspe and Murray River systems flood throughout Summer. This of course is nothing new, this is exactly the same conditions that Victoria has historically endured in 1908, 1916, 1953, 1956, 1973, 1974, 1992, 2022 and Dec-Jan 24. There are still towns along the Goulburn River that have only just gotten over their last big October flood in 2022. Let's not forget that Seymour and Rochester almost copped it again in January this year and missed flooding by only a matter of inches of rivers and creeks adjacent to those towns breaking their banks again while continued tail ends of cyclones crossed Northern Victoria in bands during December 23 and January this year.

 

[The Punter]

Yes of course, that's what the global warmists want us to believe. Ballarat has enjoyed above average rainfall and inland Victoria frosts and cooler temperatures. The ground is certainly wet and boggy, but I do look forward to Jane Bunn reassuring us that we endured a "Warmer than average Winter". Buggered if I know where? It certainly wasn't in Geelong or Ballarat. If it was so dry then why are ALL of Victoria's major dams at 90% or higher capacity. I do recall the words of Australia's High Priest of Global Warming, Professor Tim Flannery declaring back in 2007 that "Australia's reservoirs will never fill again".

I live near Ballarat. Normal winter my paddocks flood. Didn't this year.

Winter average Ballarat rainfall is about 185cm, this year it was under 140cm.

It wasn't a wet winter.

 

[aCunningPlan]

I live near Ballarat. Normal winter my paddocks flood. Didn't this year.

Winter average Ballarat rainfall is about 185cm, this year it was under 140cm.

It wasn't a wet winter.

Agree it wasn't a wet winter but the timing of the rain was terrible for Mars, a few Saturdays in a row where it poured down while three games were played on it chopped it up and at one point looked like a lake on one wing with a whole lot of water sitting on the surface when North played Melton.

Funnily enough City Oval has held up incredibly well throughout the year and has one of the best surfaces in town at the moment so I am sure the league are actually thrilled with their decision.

 

[Roogal]

Stadium Development. I went for a walk down Howitt Street yesterday morning after heading home from starting up a new routine of a daily walk around the lake. I was stunned at how quickly the old Showgrounds have been demolished. They are gone, temporary boarded fences are being put up around the cleared site. At least they have kept all of the old showgrounds trees with special fencing placed to protect them. All that remains on the site now is the bitumen from the old roadways in the showgrounds to be removed and removal of old conduits and pipes. That will all go soon enough once they fully clear the site in preparation for the construction of the new athletics centre. At least they are not mucking about. From Howitt Street you can see clear into Mars Stadium ATM.

I am convinced that construction will begin on the new athletics facility early (possibly as early as December) because Ballarat Athletics Club are keen to hold their 2026 season at the new facility. I am guessing that construction for new stands at Mars Stadium will begin around February-March next year, or even perhaps after the stadium has hosted its first AFL game in early April next year. We will know that works will have begun at the stadium in earnest when they have hoarded off the hill and start digging to remove the hill.

Train Platform. Now living in Ballarat permanently I am better able to quantify the value of a train platform near Mars Stadium. I am now convinced that given the regularity of train services on the Wendouree line, that the Mars Stadium train platform ought to be built on that line with the station positioned at the Southern end of Lexton Street. While it would be a 400 metre walk to the stadium from the platform, the regularity of trains travelling to and from Wendouree Station would support the stadium completely without disruption to train availability or timetables. I am convinced that a platform on the Maryborough line would be wasteful because it would require valuable trains to be diverted to a lesser used line for a single purpose.

Stadium Lighting. Having surveyed the lighting at newer LED lit grounds in Ballarat and Geelong and comparing with the current configuration of lights at Mars Stadium, it seems that one modern high intensity LED unit is the equivalent of two older metal halide lighting units. Mars Stadium's towers have the rigging to accommodate 36 lighting units each. Presently, there are 21 metal halide units installed on each tower with an aggregate output across the oval of 300 lux. If the towers were fully fitted with 36 MH units the ground would achieve a bit more than 500 lux coverage. But, if the Council were to put out a contract to have 36 new LED units installed on each tower the ground would achieve the required 1000 lux coverage required for night sports to be televised. The LED lighting is more natural white and doesn't have that orangey glow. Further the lighting is more consistent and refreshes at three times the rate which is why it works better at lighting large spaces.

 

[Roogal]

Technically, Mars only have naming rights on the stadium until February 2025. Is it time for another Ballarat business to throw their hat into the ring and pursue naming rights? Consider some of the options:

• Haymes (Paints) Stadium
• Selkirk (Bricks) Arena ... Only because there is already a Selkirk Stadium in Ballarat
• Luv a Duck Stadium
• Rivers (Clothing) Stadium
• McCains (Frozen foods) Stadium
• Pet Stock Stadium
• Federation (University) Stadium
• Alstom Stadium.

​

 

[The Victorian]

Technically, Mars only have naming rights on the stadium until February 2025. Is it time for another Ballarat business to throw their hat into the ring and pursue naming rights? Consider some of the options:

• Haymes (Paints) Stadium
• Selkirk (Bricks) Arena ... Only because there is already a Selkirk Stadium in Ballarat
• Luv a Duck Stadium
• Rivers (Clothing) Stadium
• McCains (Frozen foods) Stadium
• Pet Stock Stadium
• Federation (University) Stadium
• Alstom Stadium.

Can see it being Federation Stadium

 

[Roogal]

Can see it being Federation Stadium

It would be positive promotion for the Uni. Not that the Uni has a bad rep, it just needs a little more promotion nationally because it does have a lot of cred in the education sector as a higher learning institution.