News Gabba Upgrade & Olympics News

[Johnny Bananas]

Brisbane will not be walking away from the Olympics.

That's great. But I'm asking about how Denver managed to walk away from the 1976 Winter Olympics.

 

[Dalions]

That's great. But I'm asking about how Denver managed to walk away from the 1976 Winter Olympics.

Who cares about something that happened 50 years ago?
Just because someone brought it up in an article.
Not even remotely connected to the current political review.

 

[Dalions]

And your source for this is?

Where is the evidence and or source to suggest it has got any bigger over the last 20 years?
Barely hanging on by a thread.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Who cares about something that happened 50 years ago?

I do, that's why I'm asking. If you don't know, you don't have to answer.

Just because someone brought it up in an article.
Not even remotely connected to the current political review.

Okay, why's that? It shows a precedent. If the IOC has changed their practices since then to prevent anyone doing a Denver, then I'd like to know if that's the case. Otherwise, it might still be a option, even if it won't be exercised in reality.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Where is the evidence and or source to suggest it has got any bigger over the last 20 years?

Numbers are capped at the maximum capacity. The Department of Education doesn't allow schools to enrol more than what the maximum capacity is. According to this article, the max capacity is 309 and there are 305 kids enrolled, so there's a very healthy level of demand for places in the school. The problem is the school has never been refurbished to allow greater capacity using taller building and lifts. Maybe it should.

I can definitely provide you with numbers showing Woolloongabba's population is increasing. I find it very hard to believe that none of those new residents will have kids (now or in future) and want to send them to a state school. That area needs a school, and if the state government wanted to resume the land, they should have bought other land to keep a school in the area instead of sending it 2km down the road.

Barely hanging on by a thread.

How?

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Excluding parklands like the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens there is no better site for AFL and Cricket than The Gabba.
No other sites mentioned by the media is remotely close to what The Gabba site offers.
Brand new underground rail station one stop into the CBD at Albert Street next stop Roma Street.
Just one change of train should get you to any suburb if not a direct route.
Bus station at Wooloongabba will no longer be closed for 1 hour after the game.
Apart from the normal buses running at the usual times you also get the new Metro buses every 15 minutes.
Once again one change of bus will get you to any suburb if not a direct route.
Or a combination of train/bus will get you to any suburb.

It hasn't been mentioned by the media that I've seen, but Victoria Park would have similar infrastructure. Exhibition station is being rebuilt for regular service as part of Cross River Rail and is one stop from Roma St. Little bit more of a walk than would be the case at the Gabba, but it's still a short one. The bus station at Herston is right beside the site and it will also have Metro buses every 15 minutes.

To my knowledge the Lord Mayor has never offered up the Victoria Park site for a new Stadium on council land and i doubt he will.

Has he ever been asked?

If he did, the political backlash from the public would make the Gabba issue minor in comparison.

Why's that? A school isn't being demolished for it. Land swaps for some extra parkland in other places that need it can happen too. A plan for the place was outlined, yes, but plans can change. The council still doesn't have a timeline or a project cost for their plans, so you'd think there's still time to allow changes.

 

[Dalions]

I do, that's why I'm asking. If you don't know, you don't have to answer.


Okay, why's that? It shows a precedent. If the IOC has changed their practices since then to prevent anyone doing a Denver, then I'd like to know if that's the case. Otherwise, it might still be an option, even if it won't be exercised in reality.

Google

 

[Dalions]

Numbers are capped at the maximum capacity. The Department of Education doesn't allow schools to enrol more than what the maximum capacity is. According to this article, the max capacity is 309 and there are 305 kids enrolled, so there's a very healthy level of demand for places in the school. The problem is the school has never been refurbished to allow greater capacity using taller building and lifts. Maybe it should.

I can definitely provide you with numbers showing Woolloongabba's population is increasing. I find it very hard to believe that none of those new residents will have kids (now or in future) and want to send them to a state school. That area needs a school, and if the state government wanted to resume the land, they should have bought other land to keep a school in the area instead of sending it 2km down the road.


How?

4 more students?
Heaps of room for growth.

 

[Bjo187]

It hasn't been mentioned by the media that I've seen, but Victoria Park would have similar infrastructure. Exhibition station is being rebuilt for regular service as part of Cross River Rail and is one stop from Roma St. Little bit more of a walk than would be the case at the Gabba, but it's still a short one. The bus station at Herston is right beside the site and it will also have Metro buses every 15 minutes.


Has he ever been asked?


Why's that? A school isn't being demolished for it. Land swaps for some extra parkland in other places that need it can happen too. A plan for the place was outlined, yes, but plans can change. The council still doesn't have a timeline or a project cost for their plans, so you'd think there's still time to allow changes.

I didn't know exhibition station was being rebuilt, that was my only concern with Victoria park, that seals the deal for me, a no brainer if they can make it happen.

 

[Maboo]

4 more students?
Heaps of room for growth.

Sorry to say, but one of the main reasons for relocating the school is future growth in the area and as bananas said it is at capacity now. Work is well underway at Cooparoo as is the planing for the new buildings in consultation with families and the school.

 

[Dalions]

Sorry to say, but one of the main reasons for relocating the school is future growth in the area and as bananas said it is at capacity now. Work is well underway at Cooparoo as is the planing for the new buildings in consultation with families and the school.

That was exactly my point

 

[Black Panther]

It doesn't matter what the IOC says or does or whatever the IOC rules may say. If a city backflips and says they will no longer hold the Olympics, there's jack shit the IOC can do about it (apart from try and sue the pants off the city)

 

[McIvor]

I reckon if Brisbane were to back out of the Olympics on the back of Melbourne canning the Commonwealth Games that Australia won’t get anywhere near hosting a major sports event outside the events we already have eg Aus Open and Grand Prix, for the next 50 years.

 

[Grasshopper17]

All this concrete talk got me researching, a lot of literature does say depending on environmental factors and the quality of the mix concrete can last 50-100 years.

HOWEVER the Romans may have a solution.

Why is Roman concrete more durable than modern concrete?.

2000-year old concrete constructed during the Roman Empire is still going strong (Figure 1). Why this is so is a question an international research team led by geologist Marie Jackson of Utah University sought to reveal.

The composition of Roman concrete has been long known, being a mixture of volcanic ash, quicklime (calcium oxide) and volcanic rock, but the science behind its resilience to seawater remained unknown until recently. It is thought volcanic material was used after the Romans observed ash from volcanic eruptions crystallize to form durable rock.

The research team discovered that while modern concrete is made to be inert, the Roman version interacts with the environment
_____________________________________

Build it Roman style and the new Gabba will still be around in 2 Millenia and a similarly made statue of 4 time Premiership captain Harris Andrews will be still standing... Bugger Caesar, Hail Harris.

Honestly how good is science.

And also, how bizarre that this (seemingly) crucial aspect of engineering and construction with concrete was simply "forgotten" at some stage over the last 2000 years.

 

[M Malice]

I reckon if Brisbane were to back out of the Olympics on the back of Melbourne canning the Commonwealth Games that Australia won’t get anywhere near hosting a major sports event outside the events we already have eg Aus Open and Grand Prix, for the next 50 years.

Plus if we actually still host the games in 2032 with a substandard patch up job of either the Gabba or QEII it would probably be even worse.

If they don't end up building a new Gabba the best outcome for the Lions would be a brand new stadium at the RNA or Victoria Park and just demolish the Gabba after the Games.

 

[Andyz]

Honestly how good is science.

And also, how bizarre that this (seemingly) crucial aspect of engineering and construction with concrete was simply "forgotten" at some stage over the last 2000 years.

Concrete spalling is actually the steel reo within rusting and therefore expanding which causes more cracking...which then lets in more moisture which hastens up the rusting....it's a big problem down the GC in all the old towers. Fortunately for some of the old small ones a developer can buy the building and redevelop at a profit still....but the taller ones like Focus will be more problematic because it is already 20 stories tall.....they had to borrow millions to patch up the concrete.

I know nothing of Roman concrete but I suspect it did not include metal? Therefore while it may last longer it wouldn't be as strong?

 

[Mighty Lions]

Plus if we actually still host the games in 2032 with a substandard patch up job of either the Gabba or QEII it would probably be even worse.

If they don't end up building a new Gabba the best outcome for the Lions would be a brand new stadium at the RNA or Victoria Park and just demolish the Gabba after the Games.

Does anyone here know what needs to be done to The Gabba to bring it up to an acceptable quality level to host the main features of an Olympic Games? (Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Athletics, Track & Field etc.) Some assume a total re-build is the only answer to hosting the games at The Gabba but i don't agree with that at all.
My impression is that the main problem is the stadium's seat capacity. In reality, The Gabba is a pretty impressive place to attend a sporting event now. Presuming the cross river rail project that is close to completion allows people to come & go from The Gabba a significantly better way, why is it so wrong to think a facelift could improve it to an acceptable standard?
The benefits of the facelift are enormous for cricket & AFL longer term.....what are the benefits of spending $ at QE11, RNA, Victoria Park, Albion after the games is done & dusted?
For me, the right upgrade rather than a total re-build or an alternative venue is the wrong move. The Gabba is the right place to host the games 100%. Lets hope the right decision is made next month.

 

[M Malice]

Does anyone here know what needs to be done to The Gabba to bring it up to an acceptable quality level to host the main features of an Olympic Games? (Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Athletics, Track & Field etc.) Some assume a total re-build is the only answer to hosting the games at The Gabba but i don't agree with that at all.
My impression is that the main problem is the stadium's seat capacity. In reality, The Gabba is a pretty impressive place to attend a sporting event now. Presuming the cross river rail project that is close to completion allows people to come & go from The Gabba a significantly better way, why is it so wrong to think a facelift could improve it to an acceptable standard?
The benefits of the facelift are enormous for cricket & AFL longer term.....what are the benefits of spending $ at QE11, RNA, Victoria Park, Albion after the games is done & dusted?
For me, the right upgrade rather than a total re-build or an alternative venue is the wrong move. The Gabba is the right place to host the games 100%. Lets hope the right decision is made next month.

IIRC the Gabba surface area as it is now is not big enough to host all the track and field events, again IIRC it is wide enough in places but would need to be extended east/west.

Also need access from underneath for security and access reasons.

 

[Andyz]

I personally don’t care if we miss Taylor Swift, but hey…..!

Haha well you'd never see me at a Tay Tay concert either....but the city loses out as it means we don't end up attracting one of the world's biggest celebrities at the moment or her whole entourage....or the 60,000 odd fans that would have come from all over the state and country......a large event that all the city's hotels and restaurants could have been booked out over.....

That's a lot of economic activity lost for the city & state that a new stadium could have brought....not to mention all the advertising around the world that Melbourne & Sydney will receive from their concerts.

 

[Andyz]

Does anyone here know what needs to be done to The Gabba to bring it up to an acceptable quality level to host the main features of an Olympic Games? (Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Athletics, Track & Field etc.) Some assume a total re-build is the only answer to hosting the games at The Gabba but i don't agree with that at all.
My impression is that the main problem is the stadium's seat capacity. In reality, The Gabba is a pretty impressive place to attend a sporting event now. Presuming the cross river rail project that is close to completion allows people to come & go from The Gabba a significantly better way, why is it so wrong to think a facelift could improve it to an acceptable standard?
The benefits of the facelift are enormous for cricket & AFL longer term.....what are the benefits of spending $ at QE11, RNA, Victoria Park, Albion after the games is done & dusted?
For me, the right upgrade rather than a total re-build or an alternative venue is the wrong move. The Gabba is the right place to host the games 100%. Lets hope the right decision is made next month.

As you state the main problem is the capacity......a problem would remain after a 'facelift' wouldn't it...??

 

[Mighty Lions]

IIRC the Gabba surface area as it is now is not big enough to host all the track and field events, again IIRC it is wide enough in places but would need to be extended east/west.

Also need access from underneath for security and access reasons.

The surface problem can be sorted without too much fuss.
The underneath access problem is an opinion not fact and again one problem that could be worked around.

 

[Mighty Lions]

As you state the main problem is the capacity......a problem would remain after a 'facelift' wouldn't it...??

Why can't a facelift incorporate increased capacity???

 

[M Malice]

The surface problem can be sorted without too much fuss.
The underneath access problem is an opinion not fact and again one problem that could be worked around.

Why can't a facelift incorporate increased capacity???

I wonder how quickly we find out what is going to happen once Steven Miles's review is done in mid March.

If it is decided to go ahead with the Gabba demolition and rebuild there will have to be a quick decision re where we are going to play our home games. Sadly the longer it drags on the worst possible outcome(Metricon) is likely to be the solution... YUK!

 

[Dalions]

Why can't a facelift incorporate increased capacity???

Then it would be more than a facelift, wouldn’t it?

That would mean a complete re-build of all of the stands and a change in dimensions of the ground to incorporate all required.

Bit more than what I would consider a facelift.

A facelift is what they did during Covid.

 

[Andyz]

Then it would be more than a facelift, wouldn’t it?

That would mean a complete re-build of all of the stands and a change in dimensions of the ground to incorporate all required.

Bit more than what I would consider a facelift.

A facelift is what they did during Covid.

Perfect summation right there, a facelift will fail to address the biggest problem of the stadium.

Making long term decisions is always tough but is always the right way to do things.

The only real issue I see is the Lions are in a premiership window and will potentially lose a very huge home ground advantage at the Gabbattoir for several years.....but perhaps it will help them learn to better play at other grounds like the MCG?