News Lions Board Spill - update: Board Dispute Resolved

[lukiuslion]

For starters, the $60M that their, or their mates', companies will get paid to build the thing.

Oh interesting, I hadn't heard the contract had been won yet by any particular construction firm?, or is this, just based on the assumption that sharpless can single hanedly give out the contract to a mate with no one knowing? Or are you suggesting Leigh would be part of corrupt behavior, as he has a vote on decisions like this?

there are growth corridors and new cities being built in every state, business, media etc are all looking to stake a claim, I don't see why the Lions are any different with Sprinfield, especially if that's where family's are being raised and rent is cheap. The whole Springfield conspiracy was used against Angus, but I think the remaining board deserve the benefit of the doubt - obviously the AFL see our future out there, and sharpless is viewed as the right man to help make this possible. I don't think it's all set up to protect currupt interests, and if it is - I am shocked if Leigh would risk the clubs future by joining the conspiracy.

 

[Skoob]

Oh interesting, I hadn't heard the contract had been won yet by any particular construction firm?, or is this, just based on the assumption that sharpless can single hanedly give out the contract to a mate with no one knowing? Or are you suggesting Leigh would be part of corrupt behavior, as he has a vote on decisions like this?

there are growth corridors and new cities being built in every state, business, media etc are all looking to stake a claim, I don't see why the Lions are any different with Sprinfield, especially if that's where family's are being raised and rent is cheap. The whole Springfield conspiracy was used against Angus, but I think the remaining board deserve the benefit of the doubt - obviously the AFL see our future out there, and sharpless is viewed as the right man to help make this possible. I don't think it's all set up to protect currupt interests, and if it is - I am shocked if Leigh would risk the clubs future by joining the conspiracy.

The Lions board doesn't contract the construction companies, that will come down to Ipswich City Council and or Springfield corp. (Leigh Matthews doesn't enter the equation other than agreeing to a move out there). If it is a Springfield Corp project, then it is up to them. They have preferred suppliers and contractors and tendering on such projects is never a level playing field. The construction industry is rife with "corruption" even if it is a phone call to company B to say how much company A is quoting. Stuff like that is impossible to prove, but the rich blokes/corporations don't get rich by employing 100% ethical behaviour.

Edit: Even if all is above board and fair and ethical, anyone involved heavily with Springfield stands to profit nicely from a $60million project.

 

[lukiuslion]

The Lions board doesn't contract the construction companies, that will come down to Ipswich City Council and or Springfield corp. (Leigh Matthews doesn't enter the equation other than agreeing to a move out there). If it is a Springfield Corp project, then it is up to them. They have preferred suppliers and contractors and tendering on such projects is never a level playing field. The construction industry is rife with "corruption" even if it is a phone call to company B to say how much company A is quoting. Stuff like that is impossible to prove, but the rich blokes/corporations don't get rich by employing 100% ethical behaviour.

Edit: Even if all is above board and fair and ethical, anyone involved heavily with Springfield stands to profit nicely from a $60million project.

Yeah cool, thanks for clearing that up, I work with gov involving contracts and tendering so understand how these things can work, at a local council level the corruption is brazen. However I have less of an understanding in terms of how it works with the lions board obviously.

And great - that's all I want to hear, so the board cant directly give their mates contracts? and any profiteering by sharpless would involve kick backs for contracts beyond the club which is highly criminal?. If that is how it works, then Leigh and our board are not going profit directly from projects whilst puppeteering as lions directors. Sure Springfield benefits, why else would they want us to move out there? There's no hiding the fact it's "good fo Springfield", as long as it is as equally "good for the lions"

Do you believe the deal is a good one for the lions? That's the main point? I know very little about the landscape up there.

 

[Skoob]

Yeah cool, thanks for clearing that up, I work with gov involving contracts and tendering so understand how these things can work, at a local council level the corruption is brazen. However I have less of an understanding in terms of how it works with the lions board obviously.

And great - that's all I want to hear, so the board cant directly give their mates contracts? and any profiteering by sharpless would involve kick backs for contracts beyond the club which is highly criminal?. If that is how it works, then Leigh and our board are not going profit directly from projects whilst puppeteering as lions directors. Sure Springfield benefits, why else would they want us to move out there? There's no hiding the fact it's "good fo Springfield", as long as it is as equally "good for the lions"

Do you believe the deal is a good one for the lions? That's the main point? I know very little about the landscape up there.

That's where the debate is red hot. Currently, Springfield is poor on expansive and diverse infrastructure, so in terms of lifestyle (unless you enjoy day after day walking or cycling around the same freaking lake) it offers little. Many see this as a concern as far as attraction goes. Whereas currently, after a session at the Gabba, the players are minutes from the city, chic cafes, any kind of shopping or even laying down some music tracks, out there, they will have to travel either in away from home or on their way home. Some players and staff are well established in their homes which means extra travelling distance and time. This all may detract from the attraction or experience of being a Lion.
On the other side of the coin, this area is likely to be the largest growth region in the greater south east. That means it will all be shiny and new. The motorways make it relatively easily accessible. It is also our only shot at a truly purpose built brand spanking new facility from the building to the grounds.
Financially, the Springfield option offers more than anywhere else right from the initial building costs through to the ongoing rent for years to come.
Like any such proposal, there are pros and cons which can be debated and weighted depending on one's personal values.

And great - that's all I want to hear, so the board cant directly give their mates contracts?

I should have offered that, that is my understanding. That the facility will be built primarily for the Lions as opposed to by the Lions

 

[weevil]

Do you believe the deal is a good one for the lions? That's the main point?

The deal is sensationally good for the Lions. They get gigantic, absolutely state of the art facilities for a dollar a year as opposed to the tiny, run down shoebox they are currently crammed into that costs them millions every year.

As someone who lives relatively close to the Gabba I would love the team to stay close by but Springfield are offering gold class facilities for free in an effort to attract the club.

If there is anyone closer who is offering the same deal then by all means we should be looking at it, but I don’t think that option exists.

 

[BigCat2]

The deal is sensationally good for the Lions. They get gigantic, absolutely state of the art facilities for a dollar a year as opposed to the tiny, run down shoebox they are currently crammed into that costs them millions every year.

Weevs has this been confirmed? If so you're right, a great deal. Free use (compared to $2million a year) of new, large facilities. Only drawback is travel (& associated perks).

I would've thought for many footballers, good facilities to allow them to get the most out of their playing careers is most important.

 

[Lace Out]

Maybe for numpty thread but when will Springfield be up and running if all goes well ?

 

[JasRulz63]

Maybe for numpty thread but when will Springfield be up and running if all goes well ?

Mid-2016 was the date given when it was announced (pre-funding troubles)

 

[chopperduck]

With the delay with funding you'd probably hope we have it for the 2016/17 preseason and the 2017 season i think. I honestly think our players would love such awesome facilities and would be happy to travel to have them. Despite the location (which personally i don't think is a major issue anyway) the club saves at least 1 million bucks a year and gets top line equipment for the players. That is a win/win for on field and off field. We'd be stupid not to do it. Those that want to keep living in the city, can easily still travel to it.

 

[weevil]

Weevs has this been confirmed? If so you're right, a great deal. Free use (compared to $2million a year) of new, large facilities. Only drawback is travel (& associated perks).

Don’t think the club are allowed to publicly state the terms of the deal but its common knowledge it’s $1 a year for 99 years. Unless you are going to call Vossy a liar then it’s confirmed (from a number of other sources as well).

A bunch of other clubs already have similar deals, the Gabba is a massive financial albatross around our necks. Of course Springfield sucks as a location, but they quite literally made us an offer that was too good to refuse.

 

[Elixuh]

With the delay with funding you'd probably hope we have it for the 2016/17 preseason and the 2017 season i think. I honestly think our players would love such awesome facilities and would be happy to travel to have them. Despite the location (which personally i don't think is a major issue anyway) the club saves at least 1 million bucks a year and gets top line equipment for the players. That is a win/win for on field and off field. We'd be stupid not to do it. Those that want to keep living in the city, can easily still travel to it.

Imagine what that $1 mil we save in the first year could buy us in equipment...

If push came to shove I'd rather have state of the art facilities and have to travel than to not have to travel as far, have substandard facilities and have an enormous overhead which is basically money we'll never see again.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

I doubt the funding issues will delay construction at all. To memory it wasn't supposed to commence until early/mid next year, and I imagine we'll know if the funding will be given or not by the end of this year, so it shouldn't cause any delays at all I wouldn't think.

Still expect it to be ready to go for season 2016 as was the original plan.

 

[hat man]

dont make to much fuss about this,or the powers that be may notice, these guys with connections are trying to get the lions a leg up.

 

[BuntonRules]

Just read the Mick Power interview in yesterday's Sunday Mail. Sorry I can't find a link. Getting this bloke on board is one of the best things that has happened to our club, IMO. Not only hugely successful (& wealthy) but has a top grounding in how boards operate. Get the distinct impression he has not been impressed from the start.

Like Lethal, if he takes something on he sees it through. Can see why they ran a joint ticket.

 

[POBT]

Just read the Mick Power interview in yesterday's Sunday Mail. Sorry I can't find a link. Getting this bloke on board is one of the best things that has happened to our club, IMO. Not only hugely successful (& wealthy) but has a top grounding in how boards operate. Get the distinct impression he has not been impressed from the start.

Like Lethal, if he takes something on he sees it through. Can see why they ran a joint ticket.

Did you see Hammo's article on Sharpless? He also comes across as a good get for the board.

 

[BuntonRules]

Did you see Hammo's article on Sharpless? He also comes across as a good get for the board.

Yeah, was impressed. It looks like Springfield is locked in as our future, so it seems we are in good hands.

 

[MacMum]

Lets hope the players feel that way too.

 

[Happy_Neale]

Did you see Hammo's article on Sharpless? He also comes across as a good get for the board.

Not sure if sarcastic...

 

[Hollow Knight]

Not sure if sarcastic...

Not sarcastic. Well credentialed and even better connected. We need to get past the "flipping out at the mere mention of the word Springfield" stage.

 

[Happy_Neale]

Not sarcastic. Well credentialed and even better connected. We need to get past the "flipping out at the mere mention of the word Springfield" stage.

Not trying to pass on a negative opinion of him, I legitimately couldn't tell if it were sarcastic or not

 

[Sherrinator]

Springfield isn't such a bad place gang.

I know it mightn't please the latte set but it might even be a far more affordable place for the rookies and draftees to base themselves.

 

[Dylan12]

Springfield isn't such a bad place gang.

I know it mightn't please the latte set but it might even be a far more affordable place for the rookies and draftees to base themselves.

Springfield sounds like the biggest backwater out of any of the 18 AFL club's base.

We'll no doubt be sure to entice and retain many an AFL star being based in such a locale.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Springfield sounds like the biggest backwater out of any of the 18 AFL club's base.

Still better than Adelaide

 

[Sherrinator]

Springfield sounds like the biggest backwater out of any of the 18 AFL club's base.

We'll no doubt be sure to entice and retain many an AFL star being based in such a locale.

Dylan12 you are being ignorant.

St Kilda train further from the Melbourne CBD. Adelaide is a dumpster.

30km from the Brisbane CBD on a high speed road with no traffic lights. Players could quite easily live equi-distant from training and the CBD.

Either way, we stand to keep 2mil a year in rental/operating costs by moving somewhere which in the grand scheme of things will not be a deterent anyway.

 

[Scubaveg]

Springfield isn't such a bad place gang.

I know it mightn't please the latte set but it might even be a far more affordable place for the rookies and draftees to base themselves.

Or they can move into Goodna right next door.


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