The Hickey is one of the few things Cook and Costa didn't get quite right. Both still absolute legends though.
News GMHBA Stadium Stage 5 Redevelopment
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lionbear
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They worked with what they had, time was a constraint because if the stand didn't go up quickly Geelong was told to move to Telstra Dome, and once there would never been allowed by the AFL to go back.
Yes it doesn't fit in now, but without it the club would be on their knees.
- Sep 26, 2011
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Curious for those posters in this thread "in the know" the upper bays available to members for seasonal seats so bays C37, C38 and C39, does the concourse level of this upper area have food and beverage amenities similar to the Players Stand on the opposite side, or would you need to head down to the ground concourse levels?
I believe the Flanagan room is under them, so figured with it there, there might not be room for such amenities?
I believe the Flanagan room is under them, so figured with it there, there might not be room for such amenities?
Not sure the Hickey was the key to keeping games in Geelong, but there's little doubt the Cats would now only have Kardinia Park as a training base if not for Cook and Costa.
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Very much so it was. Cannot find live articles from late 1999 early 2000s (mostly thanks to the Addy being bought out by News Corp since that time) but this article here sums it up:
How Geelong took 20 years rebuild its Kardinia Park
Geelong Cats chief Brian Cook has spent more than 20 years working to rebuild Kardinia Park stadium, now he’s on the brink of seeing the vision realised.Greg Dundas
Success in team sport rarely comes easily.
It usually takes a little while longer than any player, supporter or administrator would like.
But if, and when, it does arrive, the spoils of victory taste that little bit sweeter because of the hardships endured on the journey.
Brian Cook knows this.
He’s had his share of success in a long career as a AFL administrator, first at West Coast, and, for the past 22 years, at Geelong.
His clubs have lifted the premiership cup five times, but Cook’s greatest success lies off field.
After more than 20 years of lobbying and scrapping for support, the $335 million rebuild of Kardinia Park Stadium is poised for completion.
“We started putting designs together in 1999 at the end of (my) first year (at the club),” he told the Advertiser yesterday.
Cats CEO Brian Cook celebrates Kardinia Park funding. Picture: Alison Wynd
Kardinia Park in those days was little more than a glorified country sports ground with wooden bench seats.
For big games Cats fans stood tight together on Moorabool St wing.
At a pinch, the stadium could squeeze 27,000 people in.
“Without using a ruder term, it was dilapidated,” Cook said.
“We did an audit … and we had areas that really needed to be refurbished or replaced. It was a massive job really.”
The problem was the Cats were broke, and ill-equipped to handle the project.
They crafted a masterplan for a new-look stadium, but acquiesced ultimate responsibility for the facilities to the City of Greater Geelong.
According to Cook it was a defining moment.
“I’m not sure we’d be in the AFL right now (if that hadn’t happened),” he said.
“That meant we no longer had to fund the stands around the stadium, or the replacement or refurbishment of them.”
Kardinia Park 2001 Picture: Ferguson Glenn
The AFL was also keen to lure Geelong as a tenant to its own ground, the Telstra Dome.
But when the state government backed the first stage of Geelong’s rebuild, the league got on board with Cook’s plan.
It stumped up $2 million made from the sale of VFL (Waverley) Park, the Cats found $4.5 million of its own money, City Hall and Canberra also contributed.
With more money and time, the builders would have hung the Reg Hickey Stand as a cantilever over Moorabool St. But Cook says urgency won the day.
“We decided to go with the narrow build on the basis that at least got the project going,” he recalled.
22/4/2001. Shell Stadium cloaked in darkness. Geelong v Kangaroos.
“We didn’t want to risk the project not starting. We felt that, at least if we got the project started it would give us the impetus and the start we needed to get more dollars down the track.”
And, so it proved.
The $28 million first stage was opened at the Cats’ first home game of 2005, the Premiership Stand (stage two) was aptly named, opening on the day Geelong unfurled its 2009 AFL flag.
A spectacular fireworks display greeted night football to Geelong when the light towers and Players Stand were opened as part of stage three in May 2013, and the Brownlow Stand was the centrepiece of stage four (2017).
While the state government provided the bulk of the money each time, each of those stages required contributions from at least other three funding partners.
After more than 20 years of lobbying for that money, Cook breathed a hug sigh of relief last year when the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust — which took over management from council in 2016 — secured the $142 million needed to complete the fifth and final stage.
“Imagine the litany of proposals and submissions and meetings we’ve had with politicians at local state and federal level and the AFL to get this through each time,” he said.
“It's been a massive project and it’s taken a fair bit of resilience from those involved.
“Personally, I’m just so comforted and happy that, after 20-odd years, we’re going to get it finished.
“It’s one of those projects that I think the club has just stuck at.
“I think in sport generally, groups and leaders can move around a bit and lose their way.
“They don’t necessarily follow their true north for a long period of time; they change their direction.
Geelong v Collingwood. Kardinia Park. Fans climbed tries to get a view of inside the ground.
“While the original concepts we had back in 1999 have changed dramatically, we have stuck the course and stayed true north on this one … and it’s (now) 40,000 capacity; we always wanted a 40,000 capacity stadium, even back in 1999.”
Cook takes pride from the fact the venue now hosts national and international cricket, soccer and rugby league as well as Cats mens and women's games and other community events.
He says Geelong’s players should also take some credit, arguing their success on field and contribution to Geelong off field has helped loosen the grips of those who hold taxpayer purse strings.
“The players of the last 20 years have left a legacy and it’s in the stands. I hope they see it that way. I hope the players genuinely feel they have made this contribution, and feel the culture of our club and the player group is in the stands, it’s in the seats, it’s in the alleys, it’s in the walkways.,” he said.
But, his players — who are coming off a grand final defeat last year and facing high expectations in 2021 — could also draw inspiration from those stands.
Not just the fans cheering loudly in the seats, but the lessons of how they were built with hard work, patience and staying true to a course.
- Sep 26, 2011
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I forgot to highlight this VERY important quote from Cook in that interview from 2021 above:
With more money and time, the builders would have hung the Reg Hickey Stand as a cantilever over Moorabool St. But Cook says urgency won the day.
“We decided to go with the narrow build on the basis that at least got the project going,” he recalled.
With more money and time, the builders would have hung the Reg Hickey Stand as a cantilever over Moorabool St. But Cook says urgency won the day.
“We decided to go with the narrow build on the basis that at least got the project going,” he recalled.
Yes, there's a bar and a food outlet above the fred flanagan room as well as bathrooms.
- Sep 26, 2011
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Excellent, I must've missed/overlooked this when previously posted. They showed a quick glimpse of the stand on tonight's 9 news sports coverage after they spoke with Kelly and showed some training highlights.
Tandy
Norm Smith Medallist
I think something like this could be done. The yellow lines indicate the road going underground. The surface then becomes the stand and further 'activation' area. Could see restaurants bars cafes open in this area too. Also I havent been there for awhile and not sure if barking up the wrong tree.
TheMenz Gallery
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Looks great Tandy but the cost of building a tunnel would be more than building the Stand.
The weight of the Stand would mean the tunnel would need to be very deep so the length of the tunnel would need to be extended a couple of 100m each end. Not to mention the yellow line in the North is at the base of a hill.
The illustrated result can still be achieved by building the Stand straight on top of the road. You will have a few disgruntled Store Owners but the cost to buy them out would be far cheaper than building a tunnel.
The Store Owners should be used to this idea by now as this section of the road is closed off on matchdays. If this was then permanently closed off the town would still survive. The Ring Rd & LaTrobe Tce gets everyone to the South as it is now.
cats_09
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Latrobe Terrace is shit and almost at a stand still most days during peak periods
The Ring Road is only useful for those coming from the north or south of Geelong - if you're already within the Geelong area, you're not going to waste your time going to the Ring Road
Moorabool St is also the main road for the bus routes to the south of Geelong - that would require major replanning if that option was taken away
From a sports fan perspective, rebuilding the Hickey stand and going out over Moorabool St would look great
But taking a step back and looking at it more objectively, I don't see any means in which there's a cost effective way to build out over Moorabool St and that would have a major positive benefit to both the ground and the surrounding area, businesses etc
Let's look at how the stadium is currently used:
- 9 "sellout" AFL matches per year
- 4 or 5 AFLW games per year, that utilise one side of the ground for seating
- home VFL games which only use the lower level of the Hickey stand for seating
- 1 BBL game per year
- occasional use by local sporting leagues, and the odd international match (mainly cricket)
Not sure there's currently any A-League games in Geelong
Breaking it down, I don't see any benefit to making significant changes to 2 blocks of a main arterial road, for essentially 9 football matches a year, and the hope it would increase that number to 11
- Sep 26, 2011
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Correct. I couldn't see this even talked about until well into next decade. It would also require on-field success by the club, AND as mentioned an increase in off-season use of the ground, including for outdoor concerts etc.
Best this thread remain on the Stage 5 completion, to which it has been clearly labelled as the "final stage". Looking forward to exploring it, despite I'll annoyingly miss the first game of the round this year.
You (and the article) make good points. Cook's observation that they wanted to cantilever over Moorabool St I think backs up my point somewhat that they didn't quite get it right. Obviously money was the issue. You're right, though, Cook certainly felt the club was doomed to relocate without building the Hickey.Very much so it was. Cannot find live articles from late 1999 early 2000s (mostly thanks to the Addy being bought out by News Corp since that time) but this article here sums it up:
How Geelong took 20 years rebuild its Kardinia Park
Geelong Cats chief Brian Cook has spent more than 20 years working to rebuild Kardinia Park stadium, now he’s on the brink of seeing the vision realised.
Greg Dundas
Success in team sport rarely comes easily.
It usually takes a little while longer than any player, supporter or administrator would like.
But if, and when, it does arrive, the spoils of victory taste that little bit sweeter because of the hardships endured on the journey.
Brian Cook knows this.
He’s had his share of success in a long career as a AFL administrator, first at West Coast, and, for the past 22 years, at Geelong.
His clubs have lifted the premiership cup five times, but Cook’s greatest success lies off field.
After more than 20 years of lobbying and scrapping for support, the $335 million rebuild of Kardinia Park Stadium is poised for completion.
“We started putting designs together in 1999 at the end of (my) first year (at the club),” he told the Advertiser yesterday.
Cats CEO Brian Cook celebrates Kardinia Park funding. Picture: Alison Wynd
Kardinia Park in those days was little more than a glorified country sports ground with wooden bench seats.
For big games Cats fans stood tight together on Moorabool St wing.
At a pinch, the stadium could squeeze 27,000 people in.
“Without using a ruder term, it was dilapidated,” Cook said.
“We did an audit … and we had areas that really needed to be refurbished or replaced. It was a massive job really.”
The problem was the Cats were broke, and ill-equipped to handle the project.
They crafted a masterplan for a new-look stadium, but acquiesced ultimate responsibility for the facilities to the City of Greater Geelong.
According to Cook it was a defining moment.
“I’m not sure we’d be in the AFL right now (if that hadn’t happened),” he said.
“That meant we no longer had to fund the stands around the stadium, or the replacement or refurbishment of them.”
Kardinia Park 2001 Picture: Ferguson Glenn
The AFL was also keen to lure Geelong as a tenant to its own ground, the Telstra Dome.
But when the state government backed the first stage of Geelong’s rebuild, the league got on board with Cook’s plan.
It stumped up $2 million made from the sale of VFL (Waverley) Park, the Cats found $4.5 million of its own money, City Hall and Canberra also contributed.
With more money and time, the builders would have hung the Reg Hickey Stand as a cantilever over Moorabool St. But Cook says urgency won the day.
“We decided to go with the narrow build on the basis that at least got the project going,” he recalled.
22/4/2001. Shell Stadium cloaked in darkness. Geelong v Kangaroos.
“We didn’t want to risk the project not starting. We felt that, at least if we got the project started it would give us the impetus and the start we needed to get more dollars down the track.”
And, so it proved.
The $28 million first stage was opened at the Cats’ first home game of 2005, the Premiership Stand (stage two) was aptly named, opening on the day Geelong unfurled its 2009 AFL flag.
A spectacular fireworks display greeted night football to Geelong when the light towers and Players Stand were opened as part of stage three in May 2013, and the Brownlow Stand was the centrepiece of stage four (2017).
While the state government provided the bulk of the money each time, each of those stages required contributions from at least other three funding partners.
After more than 20 years of lobbying for that money, Cook breathed a hug sigh of relief last year when the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust — which took over management from council in 2016 — secured the $142 million needed to complete the fifth and final stage.
“Imagine the litany of proposals and submissions and meetings we’ve had with politicians at local state and federal level and the AFL to get this through each time,” he said.
“It's been a massive project and it’s taken a fair bit of resilience from those involved.
“Personally, I’m just so comforted and happy that, after 20-odd years, we’re going to get it finished.
“It’s one of those projects that I think the club has just stuck at.
“I think in sport generally, groups and leaders can move around a bit and lose their way.
“They don’t necessarily follow their true north for a long period of time; they change their direction.
Geelong v Collingwood. Kardinia Park. Fans climbed tries to get a view of inside the ground.
“While the original concepts we had back in 1999 have changed dramatically, we have stuck the course and stayed true north on this one … and it’s (now) 40,000 capacity; we always wanted a 40,000 capacity stadium, even back in 1999.”
Cook takes pride from the fact the venue now hosts national and international cricket, soccer and rugby league as well as Cats mens and women's games and other community events.
He says Geelong’s players should also take some credit, arguing their success on field and contribution to Geelong off field has helped loosen the grips of those who hold taxpayer purse strings.
“The players of the last 20 years have left a legacy and it’s in the stands. I hope they see it that way. I hope the players genuinely feel they have made this contribution, and feel the culture of our club and the player group is in the stands, it’s in the seats, it’s in the alleys, it’s in the walkways.,” he said.
But, his players — who are coming off a grand final defeat last year and facing high expectations in 2021 — could also draw inspiration from those stands.
Not just the fans cheering loudly in the seats, but the lessons of how they were built with hard work, patience and staying true to a course.
Tandy
Norm Smith Medallist
Yeah I didn't even think about cost haha.
this is another one
TheMenz Gallery
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I’m not suggesting this needs to happen. There has been a lot of ideas thrown about in this thread and I was just throwing out another option to the above post. As you rightly pointed out the ground isn’t used enough for drastic change. As it is now is perfectly fine for what we need.
Moorabool St near the stadium sees low traffic flow and I’m not hearing any negative feedback about the closures on match days. Yarra St can cope with a few extra cars.
I guess we will have to agree to disagree about Latrobe Tce. Peak times only adds about an extra 5 minutes to your travel time. This would be half an hour to cover the same distance in Melbourne. Prior to the Ring Rd the Melbourne traffic heading to the coast had to go through Geelong this is now no longer the case. If your travelling from the Geelong CBD Yarra St and Latrobe Tce are fine.
As for the buses, I would be very surprised if major replanning was required. Buses can make a slight detour down Yarra St and rejoin Moorabool St via Fyans St.
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BlakeyNoFlakey
Brownlow Medallist
I like Aaron Finch's idea of basing The Renegades at GMHBA stadium to help grow BBL. This would also provide a great economic bemefit to Geelong having those extra BBL games down there.
cats_09
Otters United
- Jun 21, 2011
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Moorabool St near the stadium is def not low traffic flow - it's always busy, unless you're talking about after 10pm at night and before 7am
And Yarra St is definitely not a fine alternative for north/south traffic to Geelong
We need to remember that Moorabool St is a business based road with double lanes each way, there's turning lanes for the side streets, amble width with the parking lanes each side to allow for bus stops & bike lanes - plus, the train runs via an overpass
They've also recently spent good money on road improvements in Moorabool St - better bike lanes, new traffic lights for pedestrian use etc
Compare that with Yarra St which is single lane each way south of Ryrie St with no turning lanes other than at traffic lights. It's also predominantly residential based south of McKillop St, other then for the primary school, day care & South Geelong station which is already going to increase craziness in the area once the track duplication is complete the side lanes are also narrower, predominantly used by residents for parking requirements - then add in the level crossing, speed restrictions with the school zone & multiple roundabouts, it's just not a viable alternative to Moorabool St
One just needs to look at how crazy Yarra St gets on match days when Moorabool St is only partially blocked to know that it's not designed to handle a heavy volume of traffic
I totally get the appeal of bringing the Hickey Stand in line with the rest of the ground, but unless you can think of a way to do it without impacting on traffic flow on Moorabool St, I just don't see how it happens - neither or both Yarra St & Swanston St are designed to handle an increased traffic load
Surely we can be happy with our unique stadium, and realise that if we really want to build a mini MCG, we need investment from a billionaire who'll stump up the entire required money in one hit, we knock down the whole thing and shift it towards Latrobe Tce
Yeah.
But they have some work to convince people now after last year's pitch disaster!
100% what would basically need to happen to make it work. Think the Gov/Trust would need to buy out the shops facing the stand between Foster and Lonsdale to open it up (shops/restaurants could be relocated into the exterior of the stadium facing outwards as a compromise).
A bored tunnel would be a no go. Way too expensive.
Cut and cover wouldn't be that expensive comparatively. The stadium foundation would go either side of the road and a light weight pedestrian deck put on top of the road to cover it. Nothing load bearing needs to go on top of the road requiring reinforcement in the area which cuts down on cost. Load bearing columns would be required either way so designing around the road would not add materially to the cost.
100% the renegades should always have been in Geelong. Like western sydney is a distinct second region separate to the Harbour City (and so has two distinct teams), Geelong is the same for Melbourne. There is no need for two teams in Melbourne CBD (same issue the ALeague has with multiple teams in one stadium).
AFL only works because historically each team played in their own stadium in their own suburb, would struggle now if new teams were introduced to MCG/Marvel for example.
BlakeyNoFlakey
Brownlow Medallist
I don't think so. The night before, they had 20mm of rain, so it was understandable that some water got under the covers. That's a lot of rain.
20 mms isn't that much.
Not even an inch.
I'm not sure they will let a team called Melbourne, play out of Geelong.
Still, it would be good if it happens.
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Why couldn’t we just go into the local footy oval on the other side of the ground when initially renovating?
And FWIW should broadcast games from the Hickey stand
Would look so much better on tv
And FWIW should broadcast games from the Hickey stand
Would look so much better on tv
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I agree, and wish that was possible however will never happen with the stand as it exists (no room), and even if they said bugger it and did it, bar those dark days or night games, when it's nice and sunny those camera lenses would see jack with the western sun pouring into them.
Tandy
Norm Smith Medallist
Haha yeah I always think with all these new stands I barely see them on TV. It's always just the skinny wing with the old stand. A shame.
Also re; BBL team mentioned above. Rename them to Geelong Renegades. Will probably lose half the fans they have but will gain alot more that will attend games. Could rename Victoria Renegades too try keep ppl happy but it's not in keeping with the rest of the comp so I'd go the first
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I like the first one which creates a large concourse. I know none of this will happen and note above stating the cost of building a tunnel but I think a large concourse may end up the best.
Future development and expansion of Geelong, the development of South Geelong station. Concourse with business access, shopping even.
The connection to the station could make the Hickey stand the main entrance. May take 20 years to be considered but I reckon that's the way to do it.
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