Once upon a time indeed, such great memories going there every Saturday arvo!
News Gabba Upgrade & Olympics News
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Not to mention that during that period Tasmania will enter the competition and we’ll again be entering a period of compromised drafts so we wouldn’t want to drop down because history could repeat itself when the Suns and Giants entered the comp when we were also rubbish and had that sustained period of crapness.
tony
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It looks like a decision has finally been made.
A boutique 20,000-seat stadium will be constructed at Brisbane’s inner-city RNA Showgrounds under a state government plan to host AFL and cricket fixtures while the Gabba is redeveloped to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Courier-Mail can reveal the government has offered almost $50m towards the estimated $150m construction cost – but with Brisbane City Council, the RNA and the two affected sporting codes being asked to pay the remainder for the project.
The subject of where last year’s AFL grand finalists the Brisbane Lions would play between 2026 and at least 2030 while the Gabba was redeveloped has proved a contentious issue, with Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Steven Miles telling The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane event last Friday a decision could still be months away.
But Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has revealed the state is willing to chip up to $45.7m for a permanent seating bowl below a temporary grandstand at Machinery Hill as part of a $137m main arena upgrade to also create a “lasting community legacy” to bring together the city and country – and offer somewhere for the country’s biggest codes to have fixtures during the redevelopment.
“Upgrading the RNA main arena means keeping the big games in Brisbane and supporting the visitor economy while delivering an Ekka legacy for uniting city and country,” he said.
“Most Queenslanders acknowledge cricket and the AFL will need somewhere to play during the Gabba redevelopment.
“With many families facing cost-of-living pressures, the upgrade of RNA’s main arena is a logical solution, representing the best value for money for Queenslanders.”
Mr Hinchliffe also acknowledged the support of Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner – who has been a vocal supporter of the RNA upgrade – and said he wanted to thank him for his “public backing for an upgrade of the historic main arena at the RNA Showgrounds and retaining the economic benefits of sport and jobs here in Brisbane”.
But under the deal, the government has also demanded the venue be only 12,000 seats in “legacy mode” after the Games – to ensure events are not taken away from the rebuilt Gabba, which is costing $2.7bn to redevelop.
It is understood stakeholders were only told about the funding proposal on Thursday and were shocked the government expected a further $100m be put forward towards a facility only required because of the Gabba redevelopment.
It is also understood council was in the dark about the move – given the RNA site is not a council facility.
A number of proposals have been raised for where AFL and cricket matches could be played during the multi-year redevelopment – including the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Nathan, the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium and the Lions’ training ground at Springfield.
Mr Schrinner has previously said the redevelopment of the RNA was what tens of thousands of football and cricket fans want to see happen while the Gabba is being redeveloped, “so that’s what should be delivered”.
“From the options on the table, clearly the upgrade of the RNA’s historic arena is a no-brainer,” he said at the time.
“The arena already needs significant improvements to host events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Getting this work done earlier so football and cricket can play at the RNA while the Gabba is out of action just makes sense.
“This will ensure the significant economic benefits of hosting big AFL and cricket games isn’t lost during this time.”
Mr Hinchliffe said work on the RNA main arena would need to begin by next year to be ready for the 2025-26 cricket season and the 2026 start of the Gabba redevelopment.
RNA Showgrounds site of new boutique stadium as Gabba rebuilt
A boutique 20,000-seat stadium will be constructed under a state government plan to host AFL and cricket while the Gabba is redeveloped for the 2032 Games.
A boutique 20,000-seat stadium will be constructed at Brisbane’s inner-city RNA Showgrounds under a state government plan to host AFL and cricket fixtures while the Gabba is redeveloped to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Courier-Mail can reveal the government has offered almost $50m towards the estimated $150m construction cost – but with Brisbane City Council, the RNA and the two affected sporting codes being asked to pay the remainder for the project.
The subject of where last year’s AFL grand finalists the Brisbane Lions would play between 2026 and at least 2030 while the Gabba was redeveloped has proved a contentious issue, with Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Steven Miles telling The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane event last Friday a decision could still be months away.
But Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has revealed the state is willing to chip up to $45.7m for a permanent seating bowl below a temporary grandstand at Machinery Hill as part of a $137m main arena upgrade to also create a “lasting community legacy” to bring together the city and country – and offer somewhere for the country’s biggest codes to have fixtures during the redevelopment.
“Upgrading the RNA main arena means keeping the big games in Brisbane and supporting the visitor economy while delivering an Ekka legacy for uniting city and country,” he said.
“Most Queenslanders acknowledge cricket and the AFL will need somewhere to play during the Gabba redevelopment.
“With many families facing cost-of-living pressures, the upgrade of RNA’s main arena is a logical solution, representing the best value for money for Queenslanders.”
Mr Hinchliffe also acknowledged the support of Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner – who has been a vocal supporter of the RNA upgrade – and said he wanted to thank him for his “public backing for an upgrade of the historic main arena at the RNA Showgrounds and retaining the economic benefits of sport and jobs here in Brisbane”.
But under the deal, the government has also demanded the venue be only 12,000 seats in “legacy mode” after the Games – to ensure events are not taken away from the rebuilt Gabba, which is costing $2.7bn to redevelop.
It is understood stakeholders were only told about the funding proposal on Thursday and were shocked the government expected a further $100m be put forward towards a facility only required because of the Gabba redevelopment.
It is also understood council was in the dark about the move – given the RNA site is not a council facility.
A number of proposals have been raised for where AFL and cricket matches could be played during the multi-year redevelopment – including the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Nathan, the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium and the Lions’ training ground at Springfield.
Mr Schrinner has previously said the redevelopment of the RNA was what tens of thousands of football and cricket fans want to see happen while the Gabba is being redeveloped, “so that’s what should be delivered”.
“From the options on the table, clearly the upgrade of the RNA’s historic arena is a no-brainer,” he said at the time.
“The arena already needs significant improvements to host events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Getting this work done earlier so football and cricket can play at the RNA while the Gabba is out of action just makes sense.
“This will ensure the significant economic benefits of hosting big AFL and cricket games isn’t lost during this time.”
Mr Hinchliffe said work on the RNA main arena would need to begin by next year to be ready for the 2025-26 cricket season and the 2026 start of the Gabba redevelopment.
Cousin Jed
Retired President of BigFooty
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news...t/news-story/79977aa9de07816d9ff942cc3a787885
Front page story today about RNA. Though state government asking everyone else to pay for it seems like a way to make it not happen
Front page story today about RNA. Though state government asking everyone else to pay for it seems like a way to make it not happen
While that’s great news, this says to me it’s a long way from becoming a reality:
“The Courier-Mail can reveal the government has offered almost $50m towards the estimated $150m construction cost – but with Brisbane City Council, the RNA and the two affected sporting codes being asked to pay the remainder for the project.”
Good luck.
“The Courier-Mail can reveal the government has offered almost $50m towards the estimated $150m construction cost – but with Brisbane City Council, the RNA and the two affected sporting codes being asked to pay the remainder for the project.”
Good luck.
Viceregal
Norm Smith Medallist
And do they have at least an in-principal assent from those other bodies to provide the extra funds?
I would have thought that cost to keep running AFL and cricket during the rebuild would be part of the cost of the rebuild ...
I would have thought that cost to keep running AFL and cricket during the rebuild would be part of the cost of the rebuild ...
MSB ROYS
Brownlow Medallist
December 1: TISM release a new song and we're going to the Showgrounds. What a day!
Edit: Just realised that the video for "I've Gone Hillsong" is shot from footage from their gig at the RNA....
Edit: Just realised that the video for "I've Gone Hillsong" is shot from footage from their gig at the RNA....
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MSB ROYS
Brownlow Medallist
This 
Gummant playing the “let’s bankrupt the Gabba tenants before the Gabba reopens” card. Cluey.
BRAB
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This is a soft no where the government gets to say that key parties were not willing to pay.
They can then offer their preferred option and base us out of Carrara for 4 years.
They can then offer their preferred option and base us out of Carrara for 4 years.
POBT
Brownlow Medallist
That's my read. I think it's reasonable to ask the RNA to stump up some funds (either directly or via grants) as they'll get the venue permanently but the sports? I mean, it's hardly a minor fitout for the tenants' purposes.
Shitty politics.
Dalions
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Would certainly assume that the BCC and RNA will stump up the bulk of the cash. Lions/Afl and Cricket Aust will not have to put up too much.
You would have to think that full season members will be given first preference for membership at RNA
You would have to think that full season members will be given first preference for membership at RNA
Dalions
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No talk in the articles so far of an upgrade of facilities?
Poor heritage bank (the company). Article still refers to it as metricon.
Carrara it is for 6-7 games per season is my take. Other 4-5 at mcg marvel and maybe FNQ
Edit. Oh and also maybe one home game in Perth v eagles or dockers. Like the suns did in2018.
Carrara it is for 6-7 games per season is my take. Other 4-5 at mcg marvel and maybe FNQ
Edit. Oh and also maybe one home game in Perth v eagles or dockers. Like the suns did in2018.
Viceregal
Norm Smith Medallist
Well we still call it Kardinia Park, and sometimes Docklands, and I don't know if someone has the naming rights to the Gabba but if they do I not only don't use it but have no idea what it is supposed to be!
BRAB
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Metricon snuck their way into the hearts of gold coasters everywhere and nothing can change that.
Common sense has prevailed.... the money will be found.
Those images of a proposed redeveloped RNA look great with the heritage listed grandstands retained, will really give the ground a great feel to it.
Those images of a proposed redeveloped RNA look great with the heritage listed grandstands retained, will really give the ground a great feel to it.
Have to agree. This is the new oval when you won't be getting a new oval solution. Asking AFL cricket to stump up $30+ mil each for temporary stands so it reverts back to 12,000 capacity afterwards for 4 years of use. Will be interested to see the feedback from the AFL and cricket and BCC.
Cubs2Lions
Norm Smith Medallist
Using my expansion hat on and not saying it’s the correct choice but wonder if the AFL are thinking about creating another Brisbane team for that 20th team slot with the big seller games being played at GABBA and the smaller clubs at RNA.
Not saying it will happen given there are better options out there and it was only recently that our Lions suffered big-time so it’s highly unlikely, but given the NRL are trying to conquer Brisbane CBD with a match now every week at Suncorp and the AFL always trying to combat what they do (magic round / opening round) while the Olympics are being played there in 2032, it would be bit weird spending all this money and resources to redevelop the Showgrounds to this sort of level and then leaving it empty after 4 years.
Probably just depends on how the Lions fare during this period though before any future expansion decision is made.
Hollow Knight
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The RNA are going to have to get their chequebook out.
Dalions
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Can’t see the RNA being happy with 12000 capacity after the games are finished.
They fill it with a capacity of 20000 now for the night shows at the Ekka.
They fill it with a capacity of 20000 now for the night shows at the Ekka.
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.
The thought's being crossing my mind on that lately as well. The only major city in the country without at least 2 sides..
Cubs2Lions
Norm Smith Medallist
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.
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