They're starting to literally rip into the Ponsford stand at the MCG! a couple pics:

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/hard_demo_largea141002.JPG

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/hard_demo_largeb151002.JPG

There's also an official section at the MCG website for the redevelopment; HERE (http://www.mcg.org.au/redesign/redevelopment.htm)

-- ALSO: I just noticed that the Melbourne Webcam on top of the 101 Collins St building has clear views on the redevelopment, unpdated every 10 minutes! check out option "16 Melbourne Cricket Ground" to see the latest views. go HERE (http://webcam.omni.net.au/) for that. pic taken at 4:10PM today:

http://users.bigpond.net.au/stevemelb/mcg_20021016.jpg

great pics, gee they are not wastin any time ripping it apart are they:bash: :bash:

nope no time to waste! :D

I only noticed that massive "Hole" in the ponsford today - very large up close (From train on the closest tracks to it :D)

it'll certainly give people who go on the Eastern Train lines something interesting as soon as they come above ground (from City loop)

tays

Looks at that gaping hole in the MCG!

I intend to post an OMNI CAM shot onto my website evey week. It will show the evolution of the New 'G'.

It is going to look so way wicked cool from the Sofitel.

Looks like a missile hit it.

They definetely arn't taking their time!!! But they have to get going for the C'wealth games!!!!! Should be absoultely amazing when finished...and big!!!! Will look heaps better too.

Thanx guys,
Matt:)

Yay! I hated the Ponsford stand soooo much, it was an ugly, uncomfortable pile of shit! I wish I could go down there and have a few hits with the wrecking ball :-)

I think I might change profession to Demolition man. Damn, that looks like fun getting in a big Tonker Toy and actually having permission to destroy something. Must be the Godzilla in me.

those guys would earn a shitload, i mean guys who the cranes get a fair bit so i think it would be the same for wrecking balls

My train went past it today and the gap was so obvious! Apparently, the building schedule is so tight that they can't afford to be behind by even a single day!

It's going to look so weird on TV during the Boxing Day test match with no Ponsford stand! I wonder if they'll be working on the stands during cricket matches, and eventually in 2003, AFL games? since they have so little time to waste I guess they wouldn't miss a minute.

Even though I am glad to see it go, a part of me is sad to see it destroyed... so much history behind it all.

if they are running behind shedule im sure the public would lend a hand in the demolition. everyone loves to bash stuff with a sledgy.

The reality is that they could finish it by early 2005 if they did it all in one big hit. It has to be staggered so that they don't lose too much revenue over the construction period.

Myself, I was King for a Day, I'd bite the bullet and do it in one go, and transfer the AFL GF to either Sydney or Adelaide for 2003. The Cricket Test for 2003 would be transferred to Colonial, whilst one day games would continue to be played at the "G". There'd be a substantial portion of the stand completed in time that way for the 2004 GF.

SteveMelb, I wouldn't be too sad, the old parts are not all that spectacular, and the new facilities will be mind blowing. I remember that verybody originally criticised the LTAA when they first proposed building the new Melbourne Tennis Centre away from Kooyong back in the mid 80's. In hind sight it was the best move that they ever made. It revived the Australian Tennis Open to it's rightful place as arguably the best Tennis Grand Slam on the circuit. The facilities in Melbourne shit all over Wimbledon, and Roland Garros. As for the Arthur Ash Stadium in NYC, it is a rather tallish boxy affair without character.

Adamonline, agree with you completely.:cool:

Now I wish we could say the same for Colonial...uh, I mean Telstra Dome.;)

More pics, MCG at 6:20pm, Friday:
http://webcam.omni.net.au/OmniCam/Images/t00/997D424C55/16/w.jpg

:?

where's the MCG in that pic AG???

Thanx guys,
Matt:)

Looks like the camera got spun around the wrong way! Lol! Someone needs to fix it badly.

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/hard_demo_largee141002.JPG

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/hard_demo_larged151002.JPG

two things guys:

1. the webcam does not allow you to post their images on the forum, they have a script which disables "external image viewing"... notice the pic I posted is on my webspace!

2. the camera isn't looking at the MCG because of the bloody winds today! they were something like 100k/h down here

Those winds were cyclone material!!!!! I really hate the Ponsford stand...it really doesnt blend with the rest of the stadium...RED BRICK???

Thanx guys,
Matt:)

17th OCt
(from MCG's site)

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largef171002.JPG

w00t ?

I want to see someone slog a ball right through the gap on the Boxing Day test. :guns1:

yep even more MCG Ponsford Stand-demolition pics, along with some great skyline views...

17th Oct
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largef171002.JPG

22nd Oct
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largec221002.jpg

13th Nov
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largea131102.JPG

13th Nov
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largeb131102.JPG

13th Nov
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_larged131102.JPG

The last part of the Ponsford still standing... 13th Nov
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largec131102.JPG

for more pics, visit the MCG Redevelopment Photo Gallery (http://www.mcg.org.au/thepics/redev_photo_gallery.htm).

in that first pic fedi square looks abit like a cow !!!!

arn't some of the stand heritage listed and have to stay ?
i though there was some controvercy over that ?

Originally posted by chrisaus
in that first pic fedi square looks abit like a cow !!!!

arn't some of the stand heritage listed and have to stay ?
i though there was some controvercy over that ? the Members Stand is, but it's all going... they were considering doing only some of the redevelopment and avoiding destroying some of the stands (I think Adamonline posted this a while back), but they opted to destroy it all -- and good on them I say!

they're only demolishing up to the end of the Ponsford stand for now, the Members Stand and 1st half of the Olympic Stand will come down in late-2003, the 2nd half in late-2004.

visit Adamonline's Melbourne Commonwealth Games website (http://www.geocities.com/m2006cg/MCG.html) for more info on the redevelopment.

bye bye Ponsford!

*waves* ;)

tays

G'day,

My first post on this board after reading 8957890457690 posts - every one of them interesting (even Kman's!)

Anyway, can someone recommend a host for piccys - I have a few taken this week of the G and would like to share them.

Cheers.

lol it's taken you THIS long to register ? ;)

welcome to the board!

umm re: host, your ISP may have webspace which comes with your internet account...

however for free ones, there isnt much around lately...

www.imagestation.com

www.pbase.com

pbase is porbably the best one at the moment ;)

tays

Thanks Tays,

Yeah, I'm a lazy bugger but I guess I had to contribute at some stage!

Here are the pics that I took on Monday (Pura Cup VIC v QLD) and I've got to say that the 'G' so different - the pics are not enough. Anyone going to the Boxing Day test will not believe their eyes - the view is great, but, where has the bloody stand gone?

Enough rambling, here are the pics (I hope)

The Members stand
http://www.pbase.com/image/7288897

West to the City
http://www.pbase.com/image/7288918

Cheers.

great pics ;)

one big-arse gap right there ;)

cheers

tays

Thanks again Tays - maybe they should leave the stand as it is for all the Skyscraper freaks like us - gives you something to look at in between overs/goals.

I reckon next footy season the wind is going to howl through there.

I think it is quite ironic that the Ponsford stand - 1967, is being knocked down before the Olympic (Northern) stand - 1956, or even the Members which I think is about 1930!

Cheers.

Wow all those photos are great http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Anyway, here's a view from the north...

11 October - 07 November
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Btw if you're wondering why the frames for 18 and 19 October are missing, the camera was blown in the wrong direction by strong winds on those days, so I didn't include them.

We should do one of those videos for Eureka. The MCG video is pretty good.

Also I'm amazed at how the stand/s have come down just a month after the AFL Grand Final. I remember them being packed.

Nice one derf....

Gee, that gap in the MCG is a lot bigger than it was two months ago.

Now I can sit in the stand and see the city skyline. :D

When the Olympic/northern stand is pulled down it will leave the former Olympic Swimming Pool/Glasshouse building at Olympic Park as the last remaining porpose built facility from the 1956 Olympics.
Collingwood F C are going to use it for their traning base in the future

Bloody magnificent work derf.. your a ledge..

The 'Glasshouse' is not quite the last.

Olympic Village at Heidleberg is still used as housing.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

Thanks for reminding me of West Heidelberg but I was thinking more of sports facilities.

Wow unbelievable...do any of you realise that these are never seen before views of the city. For years the C.B.D has been that view but not one person would have seen those views simply because of the obstruction from the stands. Great stuff. These pics are history in the making.

Many of Melbourne's 1956 Olympics (http://www.geocities.com/m2006cg/1956.html) venues still exist, and in fact are intact. In 1956 there wasn't the need for big venues to the degree of a modern Olympics.

- West Melbourne Stadium (Now Festival Hall)
- The Royal Exhibition Building
- Lake Wendouree (Ballarat)
- Olympic Park Athletics Track

Those Games were nearly 50 years ago. One person recently described Melbourne's legacy from the Olympics not being the massive sporting, cultural or civic infrastucture that was built as a result of the Games (in the same way as Sydney's). Melbourne left one of the most potent legacy's to the Olympic Movement ...

The tradition of all athletes marching as 'one nation of humanity' at the Closing Ceremonies. That is Melbourne's legacy to the Games, it started in Melbourne by the suggestion of a Chinese - Australian school boy who feared that a war was coming.

It's pretty impressive isn't it? It is far more important (Legacy) than any building that we could have ever constructed. That one symbolic event took place on the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Cricket Lords of Melbourne who opposed the idea of putting an athletics trac on the MCG in the early 1950's took a 180 degree abouit turn after the Games and have encouraged all sports onto the Ground since. That is another legacy.

Just looking at a picture of the bulldosed Ponsford Stand, and you know what? It's just "F"ing hit me ... the "F"ing thing's not there anymore.

WOW!

Should Melbourne Forumers coordinate a day out in summer (for January) to incorporate a get together daytime along with a day at a one day cricket game perhaps?

Only a thought!

Yes I agree Adamonline that the venues you mentioned were USED for the 1956 Games in Melbourme but none of these were purpose bulit for the Olympics like the Northern/Olympic Stand at the MCG or the Olympic pool.

Great Pics!
I used to like the way the Ponsford Stand lined up with the old Southern Stand.
I have a few panoramic photos of the new Great Southern Stand under construction I took from the Members Stand in 1990.
If I ever get them unstuck from my old photo album I'll post them here.

22 Nov:

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largea221102.JPG

A very familiar site seeing pilers :D

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largec221102.JPG

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/pura_221102_largea.JPG

tays

Originally posted by tayser
22 Nov:

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/pura_221102_largea.JPG

tays

The Soutbank skyline already looks awesome from that angle. Just think of it with Eureka and FWP and the rest of the towers going up (you can see the Eureka Core as well)

hmm, looks like they took another large chunk out of the 'G yesterday, I checked it on the Omnicam website and it seems they knocked out another of those red brick walls... still waiting for them to update their website

that view's gonna look awesome during the Boxing Day test match :)

woo hoo!! cant wait til boxing day test....its gonna be very weird seeing the hole in the G but still..all them unseen city views:cool:

That's a great pic.

You can just see some of YE1 peeking through behind the Crown Casino Tower and the VAC Spire.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

Hehe.. and if you look closely you can also see a little old lift core peeking its nose up squeezed in down low between Crown and IBM..

Now I wonder *what* lift core that could be??

Save that pic boys.. in about 3 years it'll be like looking at a Melbourne CBD shot circa 1984 or 1990 - ie. While Rialto or 101/120 were U/C ..

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/lukekasper/DSC01073.JPG

You could watch the cricket from the city at the moment!

Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5654279%255E2862,00.html)
Developers take stands
By MICHELLE ROSE, urban affairs reporter
11 Dec 2002

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,224639,00.jpg

MELBOURNE is getting a unique look at two sports stadiums as they are given radical facelifts.

About half of Waverley Park's outer stands around the scoreboard have been flattened by bulldozers.
At the MCG, about 80 per cent of the historic Ponsford Stand has been knocked down.

The demolition has left a gap in the stadium so big the sweeping Great Southern Stand can be seen from the city.

Work began on a $1 billion, AFL-themed housing estate at Waverley Park last week.

Mirvac spokesman Tom Ormerod said half the outer lower stands had been demolished.

"A part of what they've been doing is removing timber seating and a lot of that will be stored and refurbished later on," Mr Ormerod said.

Eight of the 16 bays of the Sir Kenneth Luke stand will be kept, along with the heritage-listed Greats of Football mosaic. The bays will be refurbished and house the Hawthorn Football Club's headquarters and other residential and community facilities.

Flats will be built around the oval to replicate the old grandstand.

Eventually the new suburb will have 1500 homes, including 250 apartments.

The Ponsford Stand demolition is the first stage of the MCG's $425 million redevelopment. The MCC members' pavilion and Olympic stand will also be demolished to make way for the new northern stand, which will be used during the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

First-stage demolition is expected to finish at the MCG in January, while bulldozers will have finished at Waverley Park by May.

Poor old waverly.. or Arctic Park as its better known!

I'm glad at least they are retaining part of the stands and much of the shape of the ground with the new apartments...

I hope they keep the big white 'V" scoreboard complete with the blue footy wedged between it !!

The Northern Stand under construction
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largea091202.jpg
The National Tennis Centre, Southbank, the Rialto & CBD
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largea281102.jpg
Parliament Precinct, Orica House, St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne and the old Members stand.
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largea051202.jpg
What The Melbourne Cricket Ground will look like in 2006
http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/melb_newmcg_large.jpg

That last pic of the model looks fantastic. Never seen what it'll look like from side on.

That fabulous lattice system to suspend the roof is massive in the middle and almost as high as the light towers themselves.

Brilliant

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

whoa - even more lopsided, FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC, I thought it was actually just going to look (albeit the obvious) more like a boring symetrical stadium

asymetric rocks baby, YEAH (sorry too much Austin Powers :D)

tays

Geeeez.. sensational side on view of the model I agree!!

How unbelievably huge will the G be after this???

I mean LOOK at how the new stand makes the 'Great' Southern Stand look pissy and tiny!!! And whent the Southern Stand was finished - *it* made the existing northern stands at the time also look pissy and tiny!!

Someone get the book out but that stand would have to go bloody close to being one of the worlds tallest single stands - whether your measure it to the roof or to the top of the support arms..

The light towers already I'm sure are the worlds tallest.

At the moment they've started piling the thing just like it was a major high-rise!!

Go you bloody good thing..

For all who are interested, I have all the news on the MCG redevelopment and will bring all the details to our next get together on Friday 10th Jan.

As an MCC member, this info is easily obtained however, I don't have a scanner, so I can't share it with you.

Maybe Tay's or A - Brain can get the pic's plus the details that I have, then post them for all to see after our little get together in early in Jan?

yep, I have a scanner, that sometimes, when it decides to behave, that actually scans lol ;)

I think silvermb also has a scanner, or he could just do what he normally does and take a picture of it ;)

tays

The model is very impressive in life, and it does put it all into scale.

Are you going firm with 10th Jan 2003?

Sounds good..

Where is that model btw??

Also Richo or anyone else.. does anyone have good info on construction? Like at the moment there is one piling machine onsite, have they formally started construction on some parts of the foundations or is it still in 'demolition' phase?

For months I have been looking for more info on Riparian Plaza. I have done countless searches and come up with nothing, and now I find there is even its own web site. Wow I thought it would be almost half complete by now I thought it was meant to be built in record time. I think Saidler designed the one beside it and you can see how they really dit in with each other, just like the Cove in Sydney.

The above post was meant to be on the Riparian Plaza thread. Can someone tell me how to delete it

It seems like the MCG has been opened up by the demolition of the stand.

Also some of the workers will be scoring some souviners from last nights one day game against England as evidenced by the number of sixes sending balls onto the site.

was great to see views of the city during the one dayer yesterday. the gapping hole gave the whole ground a weird look on the telly. was also funny to see a six stop dead in the mud

this 25% larger than i expected!!!http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/melb_newmcg_large.jpg

the 'G looked MAD from the Rialto yesterday, I kinda don't mind them leaving it the way it is right now ;)

http://users.bigpond.net.au/stevemelb/tour_20021215/pic_05.jpg

Hey guys.. no-ones posted an MCG update so I thought I might since there is some news..

Drove past yesterday and the base of the first crane is assembled!! Also the foundations on the first part of the stadium have been mostly dug out quite a few levels down .. so it's all go for seeing some action soon !

Should try and get pics at some point.. tays or anyone going past ??

Also we probably should start an official construction thread for it - though I haven't got any pics yet to do so..

I got past frequently, but everytime I havent had my camera!

I'll try though

tays

If someone sitting in the top of that northern stand can see the ball... no... the players.... hell, the damn field, then i'll be...

On the picture of that model I would like to see like some diagonal ramps going from the "tv screens?" in the middle down the step to the lower side of the stadium. Then it would look completely like a circle on its side. At the moment the step up to the higher side of the stadium interupts the line going around.

The 1st crane for the Northern Stand was under constrcution late this afternoon, so I guess by Monday morning, it will be ready to use!

From the MCG's website:

marked 7th feb:

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_larged070203.jpg

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largee070203.jpg

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largef070203.jpg

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largeb070203.jpg

:guns1:

btw changed this into an official const. thread.

tays

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Aussie Steve </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>The 1st crane for the Northern Stand was under constrcution late this afternoon, so I guess by Monday morning, it will be ready to use!</td></tr>
</table>

Was going past today! The Crane is up! But there are no cables on it as yet so probably not in use until later this week! It is quite a high crane!

There were 2 portable cranes on the site today as well.

The crane is right next to the light tower! You wouldn't want to turn around too far!??

http://webcam.omni.net.au/OmniCam/Images/t00/89FEE007F4/16/w.jpg Picture from omini cam!

Grocon's MCG tower crane is all by itself out there in the east of Melbourne.

The whole sports precinct as a whole is madly under construction with the Glasshouse re deveoplment well underway. Cant wait for all the shitty eighties style ducts and stairwells they put on to be completly removed. It starting to look like a great building again.


Also Collingwoods new ground and HQ at Olympic park is comming along at a good pace. This is all part of a multi million dollar upgrade for the 2006 games.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

March 4

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largea040303.jpg

Looking at the render on the billboard, I didn't realise that the MCG redevelopment was going to have progressively taller trusses peaking at the centre...I thought that it was going to be like the current southern stand trusses...ie all even height. This will look great! Which other stadium does it remind me of? hmmm... (rubs chin)

The following image is from the 4th March 03. The foundation works are well underway which means that we should satrt to see some 'building up' activity in the next two months.

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largeb040303.jpg

If they stay true to this design Blabbyboy, then it should look sensational. I like the idea of the flags being mounted on the highest points of the roof stays.

http://www.mcg.org.au/thepics/pages/internal.html

Well, you won't often find me saying something bad about the MCG (now that the Ponsford is gone at least :D), but IMO the struts becoming larger towards the center looks very peculiar. However, i'm really big on symmetry so maybe that's why it doesn't sit right with me. I really wish they'd just go for the same look as the southern stand...

You have to see the model in the flesh (so to speak) to get a good impression of the scale. It really does look fantastic with the roof stays. If you get a chance to get the the MCG, then I recommend a visit to the Great Southern Stand where the model is on display.

They could not build the Northern Stand on the same scale and with the same symmetry as the Great Southern Stand because then new stand had to accomodate much of the MCG's working offices, function and club areas, and museums. It all boiled down to money (and not aesthetics). Further to this, the members area had to accomodate better seating areas that required more space for up to 10,000 members.

If the new stand had been built on the same scale it would have effectively reduced the ground's capacity to 85,000. This wouldn't have made the redevelopment viable. The redevelopment had to be capable of accommodating an additional 55,000 to lift the ground's capacity to 100,000. This was the only way that the number of membership places could be lifted, and accordingly, the amount of money available to fund the development in the longer term. The MCC currently has about 70,000 members. They are seeking to lift membership numbers to 80,000 and lifting the annual cost of membership from $340 (approx to well over $500). 'Richo' (as a member) should be able to give the exact figures.

This is how the project is mainly being funded from the MCC.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Adamonline </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>You have to see the model in the flesh (so to speak) to get a good impression of the scale. It really does look fantastic with the roof stays. If you get a chance to get the the MCG, then I recommend a visit to the Great Southern Stand where the model is on display.

They could not build the Northern Stand on the same scale and with the same symmetry as the Great Southern Stand because then new stand had to accomodate much of the MCG's working offices, function and club areas, and museums. It all boiled down to money (and not aesthetics). Further to this, the members area had to accomodate better seating areas that required more space for up to 10,000 members.

If the new stand had been built on the same scale it would have effectively reduced the ground's capacity to 85,000. This wouldn't have made the redevelopment viable. The redevelopment had to be capable of accommodating an additional 55,000 to lift the ground's capacity to 100,000. This was the only way that the number of membership places could be lifted, and accordingly, the amount of money available to fund the development in the longer term. The MCC currently has about 70,000 members. They are seeking to lift membership numbers to 80,000 and lifting the annual cost of membership from $340 (approx to well over $500). 'Richo' (as a member) should be able to give the exact figures.

This is how the project is mainly being funded from the MCC.</td></tr>
</table>

Actually, if the exact same form of the Great Southern Stand were repeated around the entire ground, the total capacity would be just under 100,000, not 85. Here at Austadiums (http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums.php?id=71), it says that the GSS holds 44,500 people and goes around 45 % of the pitch, so it's fairly simple mathematics, although you'd have to reduce the number slightly further to make up for the corporate suites you'd be replacing with media rooms etc.

I'll be sure to check out the model next time i'm at the G (didn't know it was there!), on average I make it over to melbourne twice a year for big games, and all AFL finals with the crows playing.

Yob, I understand what you're saying.

The MCG could have been built in the same symmetry and accommodated 100,000 people.

BUT

We would have had to forget about having any administration space in the stadium, any notion of accommodating a sports library, forget about accommodating a gallery of sport museum, not to mention a 'Long Room' or several other bars and function rooms. We would have had to have forgotten about cricket change rooms, indoor practice wickets and so on.

The Great Southern Stand is nothing more than just a big grand stand. It doesn't have any large function or administration areas. If it had originally had to accomodate half of what the new stand has to accomodate it too would have been built much bigger. The Great Southern Stand doesn't have any facilities beyond normal public catering and comfort facilities. It has a tier added that caters for corporate sponsors. THAT'S IT! It is nothing more than a few tiers of concrete with some public amenities.

The new stand has to accomodate and update what the MCG had by way of amenities in the old Northern, Ponsford and Members Stands, a much bigger facility HAD to be built. The old stands were much bigger than the Great Southern Stand, but even they very cramped once you had a decent sized crowd in there. It was elbow room only.

Symmetry would have been nice, but not really all that practical.

Adamonline: I understand all your points, however when I was talking about symmetry I was specifically talking about the struts on the roof (probably should have been a little clearer). I actually like the fact that the northern stand is slightly taller and different in design, because it puts a bit more imagination into the design which alot of modern stadia lack, such as the Gabba, Football Park, Telstra Dome and Stadium...

Mmm! I see your point, it is interesting that the new Stand is designed by the same company that designed the the Southern Stand. Perhaps they designed the roof that way to give the stadium a unique look of its own, rather than just looking like a clone of any American baseball or football stadium?

If they didn't have that step there between the Northern and Southern stands it would look ok, or just have the struts extend 6 or 7m into the southern to get rid of that step.

Looks like Grollos are really getting a move on at the G check the latest pics at the MCG website.

pouring a floor slab around light tower 5 today


http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/mcg_20030318=2.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/mcg_20030318=3.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/mcg_20030318.JPG

It's interesting that the first crane that got up (the one in the last pic) is bolted down to a concrete slab!

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Blabbyboy </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>It's interesting that the first crane that got up (the one in the last pic) is bolted down to a concrete slab!</td></tr>
</table>

Arn't all cranes bolted down the concrete?? how else would the stand up?

New dev pics on the MCG page!

http://www.mcg.org.au/thepics/redev_photo_gallery_construction_stage1_2.htm

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largea210303.jpg

Hey, I know that the trade unions and building workers cop a fair bit of a flogging on this forum but despite the political chest beating, it's damn good to see the workers getting on with the job.

http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/images/factsheets.gif

Commonwealth Games Fact Sheets (http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/factsheets.html)

Not sure if its been reported but a 2nd Crane was being assembled this weekend !!

Great to see the piling is over and it's already nearly above ground!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Adamonline </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Mmm! I see your point, it is interesting that the new Stand is designed by the same company that designed the the Southern Stand. Perhaps they designed the roof that way to give the stadium a unique look of its own, rather than just looking like a clone of any American baseball or football stadium?</td></tr>
</table>

Actually, the Northern Stand is designed by a collaboration of 5 architecture firms - the "MCG 5". As much as Daryl Jackson would like to take credit, he did not design it alone! 2 of the firms (Daryl Jackson and Thomkins Shaw Evans) designed the southern stand. The other architects involved are Cox, Hassell and HOK Sport. It was designed as a collaboration but the responsibilities were something like Daryl Jacksons - lead on planning, Cox - lead on roof, and HOK - lead on facade and project manager of the architecture team. HOK and Hassell became involved after a peer review in order to improve the original feasibility design by DJ, TKE and Cox which was more of a repitition of the southern stand. The reasons for the change in bowl configuration was for spectator comfort being designed to better sightline and seating standards and more corporate suite levels, which pushed the bowl higher than the southern stand and therefore could not repeat the roof.

And yes, the roof was designed to give the stadium a unique look, particularly as the northern stand has far more exposure to the city and the yarra than the southern stand does. Also, the mcg trust wanted a fresh look to the stadium, and something that is of the quality of new stadiums internationally. The new stand will also have a much better visual connection from the internal spaces, with much more glass to restaurants and clubs and circulation areas, which should make it less of a "concrete bunker".

Thanks for that FH, you have affirmed what I have maintained all the long.It is good that the MCG Trust have gone with a design that will give the ground a fresh and unique look. I am sure that we will all watch with facination as the stand rises and the roof eventually takes shape.

A design as involved as this should not have been left to just one firm. It is good to see some orignal and creative ideas coming forward in its design. To see the model in life really puts it into 3 dimensional perspective and the new stand doesn't look so overwhelming when seen in model form. You do get a better perspective on how it does complement the old Southern Stand.

from Rialto today:

http://home.iprimus.com.au/gnahas/mcg_20030409.jpg

When i drove past there the other day it looked to me like walls were being assembled, which of course is great news, but the massive light tower seemed to be inside those walls... get what I'm saying? It looked as if there was the ground, construction site, light tower, construction site and then the wall.

Can someone explain? Surely the light tower will sit on the outside of the stadium...:?

MG2

If you have a look at this pic, you will see that the podium/concourse around the northern stand wraps around the light poles as it does on Brunton Ave. So the answer to your question MG2 is yes, the base of the light towers will be enclosed but most will be exposed.

http://www.mcg.org.au/thepics/images/3d.jpg

SteveMelb aka Stavros,

Great pic you provided from Rialto! Kudos to you ;) !

ahhh... I see, so it's only the first 10 or so metres that will be enclosed and the toip of that will then become the new concourse going right around the ground... It looks like it will be built right over the top of Punt Rd. That's a scary drive at the moment...

MG2

Updates!

Linky. (http://www.mcg.org.au/thepics/redev_photo_gallery_construction_stage1_2.htm)

http://www.mcg.org.au/images/redev%20pics/Pons_largea110403.jpg

90% of the ground work is done, now let's watch the mushroom explode above. The new MCG will rise quite rapidly, although it will not be fited out properly for quite some time.

Yeah !!

Was watching the footy last night (Ess vs Carl.. suffer Dons!!) and the outer was quite visible with its blue lining..

You can see the outer is at exactly the same gradient incline as the Outer of the Southern Stand (no longer great!) ...

Defiantely foundations took quicker than expected.. no time to lose !

pic from 17/04/2003:

http://home.iprimus.com.au/gnahas/mcg_close_40pc.jpg

Is it possible to get an updated picture, or has there been little work done here also?

Cheers,

Kasey

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Cornholio </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Is it possible to get an updated picture, or has there been little work done here also?

Cheers,

Kasey</td></tr>
</table>

That last photo was taken on the 17th, I was there at the football on the 26th and the bulldozers have not moved an inch......

I think you'll notice that the bulldozers are always in pretty much the same place and always pointing in the one direction so the Delta written on them can be seen by all the tv cameras.
Free advertising

Doesn't matter - the schedule is for the Ponsford to be up by September - which Grollo will see to!

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Blabbyboy </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Doesn't matter - the schedule is for the Ponsford to be up by September - which Grollo will see to!</td></tr>
</table>

What you reckon fully ready for business by September ??? You must be kidding!

Start of footy season next year.. MAYBE I reckon ..

The stand will not be finished by September. The fine print on the contract reads that Grollo have to guarantee that there will be 80,000 sets at the 'G' for the Grand Final. They can acheive that by having the ground level outer bleaches finished by September. It just means that the concrete will be poured and in place to provide the profile of the grand stand. This means that the upper decks will not be fitted out or tennable in any way. This is not a drama as the project time table is such that Stages 1 and 2 (The Ponsford Stand rebuild) are not meant to be ready for 'hand over' to the tenants until June 2004.

Maybe it wont ever be finished A-brain! but you cant blame Bracks for that as the client is the MCC who are payying the bills and are runnig this project-not the Govt

I think that this is one project that will be finished on time and as it was originally envisaged. There is a lot more riding on this than just a few ego's.

Car parking row looms
May 8 2003
By Royce Millar
City Reporter

The Melbourne City Council and the Melbourne Cricket Club are on a collision course over parking at Yarra Park around the MCG.

On Tuesday night, the council decided to seek a reduction of almost 500 parking spaces, down from the 5700 maximum, as part of its long-term vision of a car-free park.

The council's policy is that parking should be reduced as alternatives become available.

Environment committee chairwoman Kate Redwood said the reduction was justified because the same number of spaces were available at Federation Square.

The council's proposal will go to a joint committee, including the State Government, that manages the park.

It is believed the Government may argue that the proposal breaks a five-year council and Government agreement signed in 2000. Last night, Melbourne Cricket Club general manager Stephen Gough said: "This notion of cutting car parking because of Federation Square is ludicrous."

There shoudl be NO car parking in parks in the Sports Precinct. There is excellent tram, train and bus service, and that is what people should use to get to Olympic Park, National Tennis Centre, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1956 Olympic Pool and the Velodrome.

NO CARS IN OUR PARKS

Even though I agree that there should be NO car parking in any public park I think it will be extremely difficult to implement this policy at the MCG due to the long time tradition of parking in Yarra Park at sporting events. Iwill be a bit like taking a lolly of a kid! The fans wont want to give up this privilege at all.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Billy the Kid </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Even though I agree that there should be NO car parking in any public park I think it will be extremely difficult to implement this policy at the MCG due to the long time tradition of parking in Yarra Park at sporting events. Iwill be a bit like taking a lolly of a kid! The fans wont want to give up this privilege at all.</td></tr>
</table>
Improve public transport, mate. And hide car parks underground!

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Blabbyboy </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Billy the Kid </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Even though I agree that there should be NO car parking in any public park I think it will be extremely difficult to implement this policy at the MCG due to the long time tradition of parking in Yarra Park at sporting events. Iwill be a bit like taking a lolly of a kid! The fans wont want to give up this privilege at all.</td></tr>
</table>
Improve public transport, mate. And hide car parks underground!</td></tr>
</table>
I totally agree but I dont see the Government or Melbourne CC or the MCG trust putting their hands up to anything of that scale.
So the PT option is the most sensible and most likely the least expensive.

Not sure if this has been bought up before, but what do people think of the proposed walk way from the MCG to Birrarung Marr?

"The bridge will stretch from Birrarung Marr, across Batman Avenue (Citylink), to a landing with access to Melbourne Park, then across the rail corridor to Yarra Park to the west of the MCG. It will be about 350m long (including a 250m by 12m wide section across the rail corridor)."

There was an 'artists impression' on the Heralds Suns page, but can't find it anymore.


James.

I want to see the route of this bridge, cos I have a funny feeling that its in a very poor location, limiting any development over the train lines between The National Tennis Centre and Batman Ave extension.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Aussie Steve </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I want to see the route of this bridge, cos I have a funny feeling that its in a very poor location, limiting any development over the train lines between The National Tennis Centre and Batman Ave extension.</td></tr>
</table>
It'll lock in the non-development over the train lines for over 10 years or so. F--- that! But I'm sure that when it's time to redevelop the train lines, they'll easily take down the bridge or incorporate it.

I would like to see a 'restricted car' policy for the Commonwealth Games. About half of the park land around the MCG should be left open for Melbourne people to picnic and join in the festivities in open parkland around the stadium. But, country, interstate and international people should be allowed to park in car parks close to the stadium because of travelling distances and time. Proof of entry to park in these restricted zones should be given by producing your driver's licence. Your driver's licence immediately has your address in black and white on it.

What is simpler than that.

Why should country folk have preferential treatment? Mainly because later sessions don't fit in with country train time tables.

Perhaps this rule should apply all of the time? What do other forumers think? I'm only playing the Devil's Advocate on this issue.

Grollo posted this in the Southern Cross station street

http://www.mcg.org.au/content/image/00000300-image.jpg

MCG Redevelopment update as at:
Thursday, May 22, 2003

The MCG redevelopment is going full steam ahead, with works on schedule and seats in the new stand set to be installed for the 2003 AFL Grand Final.

Former Melbourne footballer Garry Lyon will be giving monthly 'MCG Updates' via television commercials as the new stand begins to take shape.

To play the original May MCG update commercial and keep an eye on the MCG website and your TV screens (for Melbourne folk) we aren't getting them in the country, for further updates.

You can keep track of MCG redevelopment during the daylight hours by visiting the following weblink:

MCG Webcams (http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=funandgameswebcam)

Does anyone know if there is a forum website similar to this for stadiums???

http://skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=131

There you go.

There is a good Australian stadium site and forum at www.austadiums.com
Cheers.

Anyone got any shots of the MCG reco from the start of June?

close enough to the start of june.
I though the second crane was so big, it warranted a pic. The little paper today said that it is the biggest tower crane in the world, 50t load capable. Just the arm dwarfs the first crane.

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/mcg_20030508.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/mcg_20030528=1.JPG

Great stuff silvermb. Good to see pics from you again.

Can anyone really believe that by September this stand will have seats in it holding Grand Final patrons?

they're a few older ones, next pics from me late June, in not next opportunity August, so get out there!

amazing to think it could be ready for the Grand Final. I'd guess it'd be the stand without a roof

Now I was wondering why this 2nd crane had such a strange 'big' looking base pylons.. but there you go !!

Awesome pics Marko.. awesome..

And pic #1 ... OMG the MCG when redeveloped will be the ground Equivalent of Eureka... Melbourne will have the two biggest structures - low rise and high rise - of any type in the Southern Hemisphere !!

The big crane has been around for quite a while now... i was there at the footy in early May and it was there...

The MCG thread has vanished :(

Thought I might let you all know that another crane is being erected at the MCG closer to the Members Stand.

Here are some new pics too

http://www.mcg.org.au/content/photogalleryitem/00000120-image.jpg

http://www.mcg.org.au/content/photogalleryitem/00000122-image.jpg

http://www.mcg.org.au/content/photogalleryitem/00000123-image.jpg

A sample of the seats that will go in the new stand when completed
http://www.mcg.org.au/content/photogalleryitem/00000124-image.jpg

Grollos are really moving ahead quite nicely on this one and I cant wait to get my bum on one of those classy looking seats.

Looking good I will be really happy when they pull down the Members(smokers) Stand I think it is one really ugly motherF!

fer crying out loud, where the fug are all the threads going now ?

-narf-

/me goes hunting

Yeah I was wondering what happened to the MCG thread. Great to have another one started up fresh though I must say.

Awesome pics aussie steve! :D When were they taken? As for the seats, they look very nice indeed. wonder if they'll all be the same color.

Just a side issue for anyone that can help. In the user profile time settings, the one for the eastern states (+10) makes the time on my posts appear in day light saving's mode. I've had to make my time setting +9 to cater for this. Anyone got any ideas how to make this the right time?? :?

It didn't go missing! You guys just wern't looking very hard! ;) ;) ;) ;)

here it is!

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6469

MERGED / FIXED

thanks kasper!

Yep Crane III was being assembled today near the Members Stand..

And its a bizzaro crane too!! It's a cross between the first skinny crane and the second fat crane - i.e. The base starts off fat and then tapers into skinny near the top !

It's uber-tall too.. check it out..

http://users.bigpond.net.au/speckled10/w[1].jpg

Gotta see it..

It will need to be tall too! That is about how high the highest point of the new stand will be.

The cables thatsuspend the new roof will be supported from about that height at that point of the ground.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by ciaobellaxo </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Just a side issue for anyone that can help. In the user profile time settings, the one for the eastern states (+10) makes the time on my posts appear in day light saving's mode. I've had to make my time setting +9 to cater for this. Anyone got any ideas how to make this the right time?? :?</td></tr>
</table>
The server that SSC resides on has adjusted its time for daylight savings for some reason which stuffs up the times of everyone else who isn't in daylight savings. (As a rule of thumb, all servers should set their clocks to GMT which does not have daylight savings)

http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=historycricket

This year the mighty MCG is 150 years old!

This might be of some interest there is another 8 pages!so Ill let you read them on your own.

MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND CHRONOLOGY
1853 The present site of the MCG in the 'Police Paddock' was granted to the Club by Lt-Governor LaTrobe on 23rd September.

1854 The first cricket match on the current MCG was played between the members on 30th September.
The land for the ground was cleared and levelled, while first Members Pavilion was erected at the MCG.

1858 The famous football match between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College was played on Richmond Paddock, just outside the MCG on August 7th.

1859 The first football match on the MCG was a match between Melbourne Football Club and South Yarra on July 12th.

1861 A celebration of Caledonian Games, including football was held on the ground from December 26-28.
The first Trustees, chosen by the Club, were appointed by the Government: Hon. WC Haines, John Goodman, Thos. Hamilton (President of MCC) and Fred A Powlett.
RC Bagot, afterwards first secretary of the VRC who designed both Flemington and Caulfield racecourses, re-designed and drained the MCG.

1862 HH Stephenson's XI began a match against Victoria on New Year's Day, the first time an English team had played on Australian soil.

1866 An Aboriginal team under TW Wills played against an MCC team on the MCG before 11,000 spectators on December 26th-27th. The Aboriginal team played on the MCG a further three times to 1869.

1867 Royalty visited the ground for the first time: Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh was received at the MCG in March.
RW Wardill made the first century in an Inter-colonial match against NSW at the MCG, on 26th December.

1868 On November 30th, Scotch College held its first sports meeting on the MCG. This was the first Public School Sports meeting ever held in the colony.

1869 In July, the first bicycle race in Victoria, in tandem with a race at Croxton Park, was held at the MCG.

1877 The 'reversible' stand was built at the northern end of the ground.
Commencing on March 15th, the first 'Test' match between Australia and England was played at the MCG (The term 'Test' did not become common until 1894.) During the same match, Charles Bannerman scored the first century in Test cricket.

1878 On June 29th, Waratah from Sydney played Carlton at the MCG under Rugby rules. On July 1st, the two teams played under Victorian Rules at the same venue.
In March, the Moonlight concerts run by Julius Herz were held on the ground for the first time.

1879 Night football was first played on the MCG under electric light on August 6th, Collingwood Rifles v East Melbourne Artillery. Melbourne played Carlton under lights on August 13th.
On January 4th FR Spofforth took the first hat-trick in a Test against England, at the MCG.

wish there were a few more days like this in winter

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/m1.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/m2.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/m3.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/m4.JPG

A-brain's Crane, as it will now be known as, with fatso in the middle

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/m5.JPG

fuck the GST is a big mother, what's its capacity ?
how many stages is the redevelopment being done in? does anyone have a timeline for the redevelopment, will be amazing when finished!!!!!!!!

Its going to be done in three stages to be completed for the AFL finals in 2005 and CG march 2006.The Members and part of the Olympic stand are next to come down.
The capacity will be in excess of 100,000.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Billy the Kid </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Its going to be done in three stages to be completed for the AFL finals in 2005 and CG march 2006.The Members and part of the Olympic stand are next to come down.
The capacity will be in excess of 100,000.</td></tr>
</table>

thanks!
what the capacity of the great southern stand ?

www.mcg.org.au

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by tayser </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>www.mcg.org.au</td></tr>
</table>
:okay:

why the 3 different styles of cranes?? isn't it amazing how much scaffolding they use? brilliant shots silvermb. it's a pity they don't have a live stream on the mcg webcam. check out the webcam at
http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=funandgameswebcam

:D

She's looking good folks, the 150 year old girl has ben caught momentarily in the hair dresser's with her hair under a big blower (so to speak), but when she re-emerges after her huge makeover, she will look beautiful and fresh.

The true "Colluseum" of the Commonwealth.

Well ... will there be a more impressive stadium in the Commonwealth than the MCG?

Name them!!!!!

Anyone got any shots from the last few days? I noticed when i was watching the footy last w/end that the bay closest to the great southern stand had steps from the fence all the way up to the back. Looking forward to seeing some height happening though! :D

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by chrisaus </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Billy the Kid </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Its going to be done in three stages to be completed for the AFL finals in 2005 and CG march 2006.The Members and part of the Olympic stand are next to come down.
The capacity will be in excess of 100,000.</td></tr>
</table>

thanks!
what the capacity of the great southern stand ?</td></tr>
</table>

GSS is approx 48,000 seats.

On completion MCG capacity at 100,000 seats + about 5000 stabding room.. so 105,000 total

Telstra Stadium is 52,000 seats plus approx 5000 standing room = 57,000 total

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Dean </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by chrisaus </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Billy the Kid </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Its going to be done in three stages to be completed for the AFL finals in 2005 and CG march 2006.The Members and part of the Olympic stand are next to come down.
The capacity will be in excess of 100,000.</td></tr>
</table>

thanks!
what the capacity of the great southern stand ?</td></tr>
</table>

GSS is approx 48,000 seats.

On completion MCG capacity at 100,000 seats + about 5000 stabding room.. so 105,000 total

Telstra Stadium is 52,000 seats plus approx 5000 standing room = 57,000 total

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne</td></tr>
</table>

wow thats more the subi ovals capacity in one grandstand, it looks bloody amazing from the ground, the MCG tour is great, I like the windows looking onto the ground in the toilets

I drove through Brunton Ave last Saturday. I was very surprised to see that yes they have done a lot of work extending the outer circle of the ground over Brunton Ave. It seems that much of the ground work is done and that the stand will emerge very quickly. The pillars are being poured now to start work on the first story and first tier.

Unlike the Great Southern Stand that has four tiers, the new stand will have three (Except for the Members). I understand that for this year's Grand Final that the outer (with basic amenties) will be finished and will have standing room for about 5,000 people (though seats will be provided for about 3000). This will give the ground capacity of around 78,000 - 80,000 for the grannie (about the same as Stadium OZ).

Most of the seats will be in place for cricket season and much of the cement will be poured to have the skeleton of stages 1 and 2 in place by the fourth cricket test. The complete stands won't be finished until June next year, but the demolished Member's Pavilion and half of the Olympic Stand will look exactly the same as the old Ponsford area looks now by this time next year. By this time the ground's capacity will be back to around 70 - 75,000.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Adamonline </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I drove through Brunton Ave last Saturday. I was very surprised to see that yes they have done a lot of work extending the outer circle of the ground over Brunton Ave. It seems that much of the ground work is done and that the stand will emerge very quickly. The pillars are being poured now to start work on the first story and first tier.

Unlike the Great Southern Stand that has four tiers, the new stand will have three (Except for the Members). I understand that for this year's Grand Final that the outer (with basic amenties) will be finished and will have standing room for about 5,000 people (though seats will be provided for about 3000). This will give the ground capacity of around 78,000 - 80,000 for the grannie (about the same as Stadium OZ).

Most of the seats will be in place for cricket season and much of the cement will be poured to have the skeleton of stages 1 and 2 in place by the fourth cricket test. The complete stands won't be finished until June next year, but the demolished Member's Pavilion and half of the Olympic Stand will look exactly the same as the old Ponsford area looks now by this time next year. By this time the ground's capacity will be back to around 70 - 75,000.</td></tr>
</table>


I've heard that they're sufficiently ahead of schedule that maybe they could have the middle tier of the new stand finished by the grand final. HAve you heard anything about this?

I wouldn't imagine so, because there would be all manner of construction material around that area as it is. The concrete may wel be poured to have the second tier in place, but there will be scaffolding and a ton of other mess around that part of the construction that I can't personally see how it would be feasible.

Time will tell I guess.

An article in the AGE last Thursday said that electrical workers were threatening to strike at the MCG because they were asserting their right to fly an electrical trades union banner on the construction site. Is this an unreasonable demand?

:? :? :?

Anyway, the article further went on to say that the issue was likely to be resolved quickly and that it would not stop the development proceding and getting the permanent 8,000 seats in place in the outer for the Garnd Final.

Watching the game on TV at the weekend it looks like Grocon are really pushing hard on this project.Will be an interesting atmosphere on GF day with fans behind the goals again.

Anyone planning on taking some pics over the next few days? Would be great to see what the G looks like at the moment. I'd take some myself but time doesn't really permit me to do so :D

MCG Live Webcam (http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=funandgameswebcam)
http://www.mcg.org.au/webcam/cam1_webcam.jpg

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Adamonline </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>An article in the AGE last Thursday said that electrical workers were threatening to strike at the MCG because they were asserting their right to fly an electrical trades union banner on the construction site. Is this an unreasonable demand?

:? :? :?

Anyway, the article further went on to say that the issue was likely to be resolved quickly and that it would not stop the development proceding and getting the permanent 8,000 seats in place in the outer for the Garnd Final.</td></tr>
</table>

Yeah, it's ridiculous. The unions were also going to strike because they wanted to put their union propoganda in the weekly AFL fixture and the AFL said no because it was politically motivated material and they have a rule against that. It's blackmail. They just dont call it that.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Aussie Steve </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>MCG Live Webcam (http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=funandgameswebcam)
http://www.mcg.org.au/webcam/cam1_webcam.jpg</td></tr>
</table>

Working at night too?? Gee it looks like Grocon really are putting the foot down.

Was wondering people. Everytime I have a look at the reconstruction page of the MCG website they are so far behind with their pics compared to the pics on this forum. Does anyone know what the arrangement is with having up to date pics on the site?

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by ciaobellaxo </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Aussie Steve </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>MCG Live Webcam (http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=funandgameswebcam)
http://www.mcg.org.au/webcam/cam1_webcam.jpg</td></tr>
</table>

Working at night too?? Gee it looks like Grocon really are putting the foot down.

Was wondering people. Everytime I have a look at the reconstruction page of the MCG website they are so far behind with their pics compared to the pics on this forum. Does anyone know what the arrangement is with having up to date pics on the site?</td></tr>
</table>

They have stopped updating one of the development pages since about April. There's more up to date stuff here (http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=redevelopment) , although the last update is from 25th June...

Hey I didn't realise the shots of the MCG were able to be viewed live from here too. Thought they were just stills!! DOH!! Anyway, anyone know what they're doing when those lights come on? Construction obviously but what exactly are they building?

Is that construction of the second tier I see right next to the great sourthern stand end of the new stand? I could be right yet!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Dean </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by chrisaus </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Billy the Kid </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Its going to be done in three stages to be completed for the AFL finals in 2005 and CG march 2006.The Members and part of the Olympic stand are next to come down.
The capacity will be in excess of 100,000.</td></tr>
</table>

thanks!
what the capacity of the great southern stand ?</td></tr>
</table>

GSS is approx 48,000 seats.

On completion MCG capacity at 100,000 seats + about 5000 stabding room.. so 105,000 total

Telstra Stadium is 52,000 seats plus approx 5000 standing room = 57,000 total

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne</td></tr>
</table>


According to Austadiums, the GSS is 44,500 seats.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by yob </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Is that construction of the second tier I see right next to the great sourthern stand end of the new stand? I could be right yet!</td></tr>
</table>

When I was watching the Collingwood v Fremantle game today, I noticed there was some construction happening right up against the GSS that looked to be the start of the second tier.

Anyone planning on taking some pics over the next few days? Would be great to see some pics taken from inside the ground looking towards to the city!!
:D

I read in Friday's Herald Sun that the MCG will be holding an open week in the latter part of September as part of it's 150th anniversary celebrations. We could check the times when they are going to hold the tours and perhaps organise a skyscraper forumers tour?

Looking at the photos from the MCG's Webcam it seems as though that framework that you see layed across the outer is perhaps the moulding and framework that is being used to create the steps that the seats will eventually be affixed to.

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/m5.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/m7.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/m6.JPG

Great Pics. Yes, the stand is booming along. Much of the terrace is complete along with tiered steps for the seats. Although it's mahrd to tell from pics I've seen or Webcam I had a great perve on Saturday from the terrace right on the Hankook sign. The main pillars that support the big steel "things" (I'm sure there's a technical name for it) that the second level effectively sits on are starting to spring up, there'd be half a dozen by now. There's one or two of the steel rib things already in place. Pretty much a mirror of what the current GSS looks like from the standing room bowels. There's no doubt there'll be seating on the terrace available in time for the finals, if only in the open and not under the still under construction level 2 etc.
Go Pies!;)

The bulk of the work is done already because the plant equipment for the new stand is all to be located in this new and important section. That area is now complete, and now that foundations and cellars are done, the above ground portions will rise quite rapidly. At least with the remaining portions of the ground there will not be the difficulties associated with installing plant equipment and much of the underground work that was associated with this potion of the redevelopment.

Great shots silvermb!! :guns1:

I think I'll be happy when I just start seeing some height happening. Had a look at the webcam on the MCG website today and there was a bit more progress vertically next to the GSS.

Don't know what's more exciting. Watching the big E go up or the MCG. Me thinks the big E but you gotta love what's happening at the G!:D

Must be a quiet news week at the HUN typical beatup!



Delays rock MCG finals seats
By SHAUN PHILLIPS and SUSIE O'BRIEN
16jul03

THE $430 million MCG redevelopment has fallen a month behind schedule.

Authorities hoped to have 8000 seats in the new Ponsford Stand ready for the start of the AFL finals on September 5, but that is now improbable.
Any final in the first three weeks involving a big-pulling team such as Collingwood will bring the delays into sharp focus.

Last year's Collingwood v Adelaide final at the MCG drew more than 88,000 fans.

The pressure is now on to ensure the seats are ready for Grand Final day, which the State Government has demanded. The 8000 seats would increase capacity to 80,000, 16,300 down on last year.

MCG Trust chairman John Wylie confirmed the delays, which have accumulated in just nine months, but said he was confident the Grand Final target would be met.

"However there was slippage built into (Grocon's) contingency plans for the overall construction project, particularly for their major milestones, the first of which is the Grand Final," he said.

"(Melbourne Cricket Club general manager) Stephen Gough and myself had a meeting with (Grocon's) Daniel Grollo yesterday and we've got no indication other than the target will be met."

Mr Wylie acknowledged that ideally, the new seats would be ready for the start of the finals.

"Clearly we'd be keen to have as much seating capacity there as early as possible, but there are logistical issues associated with when you put the seats in and what that means for access around the site," he said.

"I'm not giving any specific indication of when seats are going to be down there.

"I'm simply saying we encourage Grocon to have the seats available as early as possible, but we understand that they need to do it in a way that won't impede progress."

Mr Wylie said while a site agreement with unions had not been signed, industrial unrest had not been a problem.

He declined to detail the cause of the delays.

"There's a whole host of factors that go into these things," he said.

"Grocon has had a lot on its plate."

More than 200 Grocon workers and sub-contractors are working on the project, which involves rebuilding the northern side of the MCG in time for the Commonwealth Games in March 2006.

A Grocon spokesman said "ongoing changes in design development, including more efficient ways of delivering the project, meant all dates would be met".

Electrical Trades Union secretary Dean Mighell said he believed the delay was caused by planning and management.

"This will make it extremely unlikely the extra seats will be ready for the finals but we are committed to doing what we can to help," he said.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union secretary Martin Kingham said he was not aware of any problem with the project's timing.

Grocon and unions say negotiations on a site allowance -- which includes a $5-an-hour extra wage demand from workers -- has not held up progress.

Pull your finger out you wankers. I think we all see a common thread here.:bleep:

$5 an hour extra?! Who the #$%^ do these assholes think they are?! Go to university and get a real job you BUMS.

I reckon Grocon are diong pretty good job time wise.
None of these major projects ever run totally smoothly or on time particually when either the client or architect's keep changing things as they go.

Well well, work is started on the second tier with concrete laid on one portion. This is going to be one big bloody stadium :D

Yes. Enuff ranting about unions, I'm sure they are doing the job OK.
Got some good close up views of the stand last night from Hankook Hill. The first bay of the second level is truly erected and well under construction. Some things to note. This first bay has curretnly been constructed to similar specs to the cuurent GSS, eg same size pillar, same style rib holding it all in place. The interesting thing is that the rest of the columns and what I could see on the next rib to hold up the next bay are a different design. It looks more like this fist new bay will end up being an extension of the GSS rather than the new stand, or maybe it's just to help integrate the stands. I don't know. I'd love to see some design specs/pics for this stand.

Originally posted by yob
Well well, work is started on the second tier with concrete laid on one portion. This is going to be one big bloody stadium :D

Yes yob! I saw on the TV while watching the footy last night and today the 2nd tier starting next to the GSS. You can now clearly see the stairs! Exciting stuff!! Progress!! :guns1: :D

I went past there again yesterday, the little buggers (the builders ... that is) they have been beaverishly working away!

The second tier is starting to emerge. Where as it has eight rows in the Southern Stand it will have 12 rows on the Northern Stand. It is now definable! Although the Northern Stand wont have a third tier until you get to the new Member's Pavilion which will have four traditional tiers of darker green seats. That is how they will break the lines of the stadium and avoid a great cricket ground becoming an impersonal, unrecognisable bowl. Our MCG has to distinguish itself as something better than those tasteless American bowls.

People should come to the MCG and feel as though they are not only going to a sporting game but being surrounded by history, tradition and ambience. Going to the 'G' should be an occasion for anybody, whether they be a member or an ordinary paying member of the public. Some things in life should be magic and be treated as an event.

Adam, do you know how many rows are in the third tier of the GSS?

The GSS has 8-10 rows in the second tier and about 5 in the third. The number of rows varies as you move from pocket tpo wing and back due to the variation of corporate box design.

The new stand will havd 12-15 rows in the second tier, so a similar amount of seats, but on one level rather than two, except for the Members area. Again the design varies as you move aroun the stand with different config of corporate box.

I haven't counted the rows in the top deck of the GSS or the new stand. My eyes go crosseyed! ;)

The third tier will be smaller because it will only be incorporated in the members pavilion. Also it will be backset against canted windows which relative to the second tier will not allow sufficient depth for anything more than five to six rows.

The difference however will be absorbed in the fourth tier which will be an additional eight rows deeper. You do get a clearer idea once you see the model in 3 dimension.

Originally posted by Adamonline
The third tier will be smaller because it will only be incorporated in the members pavilion. Also it will be backset against canted windows which relative to the second tier will not allow sufficient depth for anything more than five to six rows.

The difference however will be absorbed in the fourth tier which will be an additional eight rows deeper. You do get a clearer idea once you see the model in 3 dimension.

Would love to see a few pics of the model if anyone has any! Anyone taken some shots of the progress lately? I doubt if anyone got out there today. As at 8.18pm the eastern burbs has had nearly 20mm of rain since 9am this morning. Not bad for Melbourne!

Hey guys, it's been 10 days since we've had some pics of the G :?
Anyone planning on taking any soon? I'm starting to get withdrawals :D

Ciao Ciao,

Dude,
you have severe withdrawl so take sever actiion. Get down to the ground to see a game or fialing that turn up at 4pm and wiat till the gates open at the start of the last qtr.

Check out the model in the flesh in the basement level on the GSS wing, then stoll right around to the city end pocket and check out the new construction up close for yourself.

You know it makes sense!:D

Ciaobellaxo and BigVman;

I am proposing that the forumers have our next get together meet at the MCG during the public 'Open week" as part of the MCG's 150th anniversary in September. We could get some timings for tours or perhaps if enough people are committed we may get the tour management to conduct a tour for us commencing at around 5 pm. By this stage we will be able to get a true picture of the timeframes and building schedule as it is.

Richo is a memebr and perhaps he may be able to find out some more information in relation to what tour plans are planned or available.

Originally posted by Adamonline
The third tier will be smaller because it will only be incorporated in the members pavilion. Also it will be backset against canted windows which relative to the second tier will not allow sufficient depth for anything more than five to six rows.

The difference however will be absorbed in the fourth tier which will be an additional eight rows deeper. You do get a clearer idea once you see the model in 3 dimension.

Yet shouldn't that extra height of the top tier be absorbed by the fact that the seats will be 30% larger? I'm not arguing that the capacity will not reach 100,000, but some diehard melbourne zealots like Dean who already overstate the GSS's capacity by over 3,000 have really gotta pull in the reigns a bit. It won't be hitting 105,000 seated capacity, unless they ban richmond supporters from the ground... then maybe.

Ciao, it sounds like I get my ass to the G more often than you :) regardless, here's a pic of the model i've got stashed on the hard drive...

http://smicik.customer.netspace.net.au/mcgmodel.jpg

It looks like there may have already been some form of departure from that design though, considering the new stand is clearly joined and on the same incline as the GSS 2nd tier, yet in the model it's not joined and a steeper incline...

All in all though, I can't wait until this ground is finished, it's sensational.

The final capasity will depend on how many standing room places are made avalable.At the moment in the GSS there are around 4000 but this could be increased on the first tier of the new Northern stand.
Personally I think the MCC will make sure it is a little over 100,000 which is a magical number that not many new stadiums now have.IE: Telstra Stadium and the new Wembley in London that both have under 100,000 capacity.

The first bay presently being constructed, immediately adjacent to the Great Southern Stand, is the Great Southern Stand extension. To all visible appearance, it has the architectural and structural features (including the roof) of the existing Great Southern Stand. This exists for a single bay, then a small gap to where the new northern stand starts. I don't know for sure, but I think this extension aligns (at least architecturally somehow), the scoreboards at the start and end of the northern stand development. The new stand tiers will be of different size and location to the Great Southern stand as shown in the model.


To my knowledge, the model is pretty accurate, showing the third tier only within the members pavillion. One of the most fascinating parts of the redevelopment is the fact the athletics track does not fit within the current ground perimeter (if you don't believe me, have a look at the ground seating on the right hand side of the model photo).

Fair call "Yob" and "Billy the Kid":

But, we don't pluck these figures out of our arses on our website. I have received many corrections and assurances from the official MCG website that the stadium's full seating capacity will be 100 000 (No Standing). I am further assured that there will only be 3 000 seats removed for the Commonwealth Games.

The MCG management and redevelopment committee are rather particular about this. This is why the actual grand stand will be overall 30% bigger than the GSS.

Thanks for that Kareue. I was sure my eyes weren't playing tricks with me and the first new bay is actually an extension of the GSS in look, feel and everything in between.

Originally posted by Adamonline
Fair call "Yob" and "Billy the Kid":

But, we don't pluck these figures out of our arses on our website. I have received many corrections and assurances from the official MCG website that the stadium's full seating capacity will be 100 000 (No Standing). I am further assured that there will only be 3 000 seats removed for the Commonwealth Games.

The MCG management and redevelopment committee are rather particular about this. This is why the actual grand stand will be overall 30% bigger than the GSS.

Thanks Adam But will there still be some standing room(over and above the 100,000) as there is at the moment or will it be all seating?

My understanding is that it all must be seating. Standing room is actually illegal by modern Helath Department regulations in such a facility. Standing patrons may be blocking key eggress points from the ground (much like a cinema). Standing patrons are okay in an oval but when you are talking about modern development at a major enclosed sports stadium, there are different rules which the MCG has had waivered for years.

To go to a Grand Final is like a mad house around the members and Olympic Stand areas at present. Entrances and thouroughfares are indeed blocked and difficult to negotiate because of standing patrons. Considering that patrons will be slugged $23-$50 to go to the MCG in future, I imagine that they all may rightly demand a seat and not be forced to stand.

It is interesting to look at that particular picture that is shown a couple of posts back that displays the model. When you look at the model and you see where the existing 'Hankook" entry point is on the ground, if you count around 8 bays of blue seats and two of green seats, then that is the full extent of the old Ponsford Stand that is presently being rebuilt. Keeping in mind that, this image has a rather fisheye view of the ground that makes the Ponsford area look a bit smaller than what it actually is.

http://smicik.customer.netspace.net.au/mcgmodel.jpg

What's with the sections with the different angled roofing at either end of the new stand and approx. how many rows will there be in the second tier? Doesn't look like there'll be many. Corporate boxes going in here I gather?

:D

Originally posted by ciaobellaxo
What's with the sections with the different angled roofing at either end of the new stand and approx. how many rows will there be in the second tier? Doesn't look like there'll be many. Corporate boxes going in here I gather?

:D

Those would be the new replay screens/scoreboards, with accompanying glare reduction (ie roof).

As for the amount of rows in the top tier, no idea, but the stand will be about 8m above the GSS if I remember correctly.

Here's the latest pic as of Sunday August 3. Couldn't get a shot further to the left as the sun was shining right in the camera.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ciaobellaxo/030803mcg.jpg

lol, he got sick of no-one getting pics, so he gets them himself! ;)

nice pic!

tays

Looks like Grollos are really getting on with this project I cant wait to see this icon finished.

The rumour is still going around that the new stand wont be able to be used for the finals.

Check this out:

http://www.psaproject.com.au/psa/media/mcgstand.jpg

Originally posted by Grollo
Check this out:

http://www.psaproject.com.au/psa/media/mcgstand.jpg

W O W ! ! !

I'm impressed Grollo!! How'd you do that??? Looks so real! Damn she's gonna look awesome when finished!! I'm personally looking forward to just seeing the very first section of the new stand completed to the roof just to get a glimpse of what the finished product will look like!

:D

Gees it is going to be massive when finished it will be worth the price of a ticket just to soak up the atmosphere.

Originally posted by ciaobellaxo
W O W ! ! !

I'm impressed Grollo!! How'd you do that??? Looks so real! Damn she's gonna look awesome when finished!! I'm personally looking forward to just seeing the very first section of the new stand completed to the roof just to get a glimpse of what the finished product will look like!

:D

HEHE! It is real! :D :D :D :D :D :D That is the Southern Stand being built...It was finished in the early 90's probably! It was taken probably 10-12 years or more ago!

hehe! It all looks the same! I had to take a couple of looks!

It looks like they built it the same way, the left hand side looks finished but the right obviously isn't!:D

That picture would be taken from somewhere between the members and the now demolished ponsford stand where all the constuction is happening.

Just saw a CH9 news report showing that some of the seats have been fitted already. The reporter said that the 8000 seats will be ready for use by GF day.

http://www.users.bigpond.com/dwight.veenman/MyPics/webcam08082003.jpg

:) There's thar seats folks. Eat shorts the prophesyers of doom.

Originally posted by BigVman
http://www.users.bigpond.com/dwight.veenman/MyPics/webcam08082003.jpg

:) There's thar seats folks. Eat shorts the prophesyers of doom.

From the looks of things, they are fencing off the areas under the new tier which won't be ready in time, and installing seats within. Or maybe they intend to open up as many portions of the new stand as quickly as possible during the season, then gradually opening more portions over the season as they are finished. Very exciting stuff!!

I guess the point i'm making is the prophesysers of doom may be right yet :)

Rome wasn't built in a day, nor was the Colusseum. The MCG is not going to happen overnight either, but it will happen and it will be magnificent.

http://www.users.bigpond.com/dwight.veenman/MyPics/webcam08082003wide.jpg
:) Wider angle (they chage from time to time) showing the last bay of the old GSS being added at level2 and the first of the new Stands level 2.

I imagine 8000 seats would be the whole lower level. No reason why they can;'t have that up and running in 6 weeks!

Originally posted by Adamonline
Rome wasn't built in a day, nor was the Colusseum. The MCG is not going to happen overnight either, but it will happen and it will be magnificent.

Rome wasn't built in a day, however it didn't have a deadline to meet either.

Yep .... fair call mate, it is looking good though when you consider that all of the plant equipment and and much of the underground infrastructure for the Northern Stand is under this portion, which means that the rest will come down quickly and go up as quickly.

The plant and everything has gone on this side of the ground because it is the deepest potion of the ground and it has ready access to Brunton Avenue which means that all of the cafes and nicer developments at the new MCG wll be facing into the park land.

I never quite realised this until I had a close look at the mcg model just now, but they are actually extending the old Great Southern Stand. (if this is common knowledge then sorry, it just hit me :)) The same configuration of the GSS is held as shown by the positioning of the stands over the ground access point, so I expect that the 2 portions of the second stand are the end of the GSS then the now much larger 2nd tier of the northern stand will start. But from the webcam pic at the moment the.... metal support of the stand does not appear to be any larger? What's the deal? :?

I'm kinda disappointed that the GSS get's extended, because for me one great aspect of the design was that the newer stand would cover 55% of the perimeter - that combined with the higher stand made for a rather cool looking design... Ah well... :)

Yob,

that first new bay is the addition to the GSS. It's hard to tell from the webcam pics but the new bay is part of a new contruction design with different pillars and metal bits to hold it all up.

Close up you can count 12 rows for seating on the green metal part of the support. It's not clear how many more (if any) rows will be available. On the "plans" available it looks like 15 rows of seating is planned.

The best info I've found is from the MCG redevelopment section on the website. This is a link to the PDF file with the diagram of the different levels. http://www.mcg.org.au/content/document/00000011-src.pdf (http://)

There's actually a gap of about 1 metre between those first 2 new bays that really marks the "new" stand. The new stand also has a slightly steeper angle on the 2nd level also. Again, you can't actually see this unless you get up close and personal.

:cheers:

question about Grollo's pic above with the Gss u/c. what company built it? i thought it was Baulderstone Hornibrook but they have green cranes so does anyone recall the builder?

To get symmertry on the ground between the score boards, then yes the GSS has to be extended by a couple of bays on either end. There is a beam extended already to form an extention of the third tier. The Fourth tier will extend for a couple of bays until it jumps up an extra eight bays of depth to accomoate the full compliment of seats for the Northern Stand.

Their will only be a third tier in the new members pavilion to accomodate the new Long room. This will be the only four tier element of the new Northern Stand. Otherwise it will be a three tier complex. The MCG newsletters on the MCG website illustrate this quite clearly.

John Holland from memory

John Hollands did build the GSS my Bro in Law was a project manager.

Ok, maybe I am having a bad day, but I don't understand what is happening at the MCG. Is the Great Southern Stand being extended at both ends and if so, by how many bays?

I think "someone" (not me) needs to get accurate plans of what the new stadium will look like, because I think the design may have changed a little since the model was constructed due to the possible extension of the GSS.

One bay in the upper decks at the city end. The terrace is continuous all the way round at ground level.

Can't speak for the punt rd end but I can't see evidence of extensions in any of the MCG literature. Adam seems to think another extension at this end, he may know more than me.

I wonder if they ever considered having the GSS around the entire ground? Except for the members that is. They've obviously gotta have something different to the rest of us low lifes :D

Ahhh. I can still picture what Waverley should have looked like from its original design. Oh well :)

To tell the truth, the thing i'm most worried about is whether or not the completed ground will get Richie's final seal of approval. If he doesn't like it then shows over.

And let's not forget the legendary Bill Lawry. Will he be happy to say 'it's all happening'? I'm sure he will. The atmosphere will be nothing short of spectacular when she's all done! :guns1: :guns1:

When I was checking out the AFL results of the news, I think I saw the second section or level or whatever laid.

Mmm! I still think that they should have just simply bulldozed the whole western and norther sections of the ground and closed it down for the finals this year. This way half of the total work would have been done by now and they would have had 80% of the work completed for next years grand final series.

It is such a pity that the AFL and MCG Trust couldn't swallow their pride and let the AFL Grand Final be staged interstate in Sydney.

Forget Adelaide or Perth (in this instance), they'd be better holding the Grand Final in that case at Colonial, because Adelaide and Perth don't have stadiums capable of seating more than 45,000. Come on Adelaide and Perth, when are you going to get serious about fully developing Subiacco and Football Park to their full potential.

I imagine Football Park with it's new upper stand being extended all the way around and lifting that ground's potntial capacity to over 70,000. Such crowds are not unfeasible in Adelaide for big games. The SANFL (with assistance of the old VFL) did a lot of work to develop Football Park 30 years ago. The grand plan was for a stadium that would be SA's equivalent of VFL Park.

I am not against the grand final being staged in Perth or Adelaide in principle, in fact the only limitation is the capacity of existing grounds.

By 4pm today they had the third bay extension completed on the first level. Lookin' good! :D

Originally posted by Adamonline
Mmm! I still think that they should have just simply bulldozed the whole western and norther sections of the ground and closed it down for the finals this year. This way half of the total work would have been done by now and they would have had 80% of the work completed for next years grand final series.

It is such a pity that the AFL and MCG Trust couldn't swallow their pride and let the AFL Grand Final be staged interstate in Sydney.

Forget Adelaide or Perth (in this instance), they'd be better holding the Grand Final in that case at Colonial, because Adelaide and Perth don't have stadiums capable of seating more than 45,000. Come on Adelaide and Perth, when are you going to get serious about fully developing Subiacco and Football Park to their full potential.

I imagine Football Park with it's new upper stand being extended all the way around and lifting that ground's potntial capacity to over 70,000. Such crowds are not unfeasible in Adelaide for big games. The SANFL (with assistance of the old VFL) did a lot of work to develop Football Park 30 years ago. The grand plan was for a stadium that would be SA's equivalent of VFL Park.

I am not against the grand final being staged in Perth or Adelaide in principle, in fact the only limitation is the capacity of existing grounds.

Football park's capacity is just under 54,000 - higher than colonials.

there is still a $30m debt from the last redevelopment of Subi....
Subi Oval Fit Just Under 45,000

is football park an all seater? do they have plastic seats and/or wooden benches

the dome's capacity is around 57000, given that 56,650 saw the Australia v Britsh lions rugby match.. so its slightly larger.

The AFL record was a few weeks ago Collingwood v Nth at around 54,000

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

Originally posted by Dean
the dome's capacity is around 57000, given that 56,650 saw the Australia v Britsh lions rugby match.. so its slightly larger.

The AFL record was a few weeks ago Collingwood v Nth at around 54,000

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

Yep and the record attendance at Football Park is over 66,000 - the capacity is still 54k.

Originally posted by chrisaus
there is still a $30m debt from the last redevelopment of Subi....
Subi Oval Fit Just Under 45,000

is football park an all seater? do they have plastic seats and/or wooden benches

I quoted the seated capacity. It is mostly aluminium bench seats with 7,000 bucket seats - in October the entire stadium is being converted to bucket seating.

subi used to get 50,000+ for WAFL grandfinals when it had standing room

Originally posted by yob
I quoted the seated capacity. It is mostly aluminium bench seats with 7,000 bucket seats - in October the entire stadium is being converted to bucket seating.

will that reduce the capacity? any idea on the cost?
a good move, you would have to be a loyal fan to sit on one of those for hours, esp in the heat

Originally posted by yob
Football park's capacity is just under 54,000 - higher than colonials.

Well yob I guess you can't break some traditions!

Was just having a look at the Austadiums website and was wondering why they got rid of the extensions at each end of the ground of Telstra Stadium which has reduced its capacity from 110,000 to 83,500?? Seems pretty stupid to me that they just had it for the Olympics.

I guess they don't have a use for a stadium that size, it would rarely sell out.... just like the MCG only reaches capacity a few times a year at most

The plan from the beginning was to remove the two huge temporary stands and convert it to an 80,000 seat stadium from the beginning. Although i think they should have waited till after the world cup to do this, 83,500 (3,500 extra seats have been installed) is big in anyones language.

They did this to make the stadium more attractive to hold events in, as they thought 110,000 was too big to sell the stadium to a bulk of events.

what events do they have there or is it pretty neglected ?
are any of the new stadiums used much ?

Originally posted by chrisaus
will that reduce the capacity? any idea on the cost?
a good move, you would have to be a loyal fan to sit on one of those for hours, esp in the heat

It won't cost that much - it is being paid for in full by the AAMI sponsorship, and funds are being raised by selling the old seats. It will reduce the total capacity by about 2,000.

Originally posted by ciaobellaxo
Well yob I guess you can't break some traditions!

Was just having a look at the Austadiums website and was wondering why they got rid of the extensions at each end of the ground of Telstra Stadium which has reduced its capacity from 110,000 to 83,500?? Seems pretty stupid to me that they just had it for the Olympics.

Sorry yob, this was meant to be for Adamonline!

BTW, Melbourne would've been home to the largest ground in the world if Waverley Park had've been built to its original design. It was meant to hold 150,000. This is what it was meant to look like..
http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/special/photos/waverley.jpg

But ended up like this...
http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/special/photos/waverley1.jpg


...and today has been left to end up like this...
http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/special/photos/waverley_20030314_3.jpg
:bleep: :bleep:

Anyway, back to our awesome G!! :D

ciao - don't forget also that Colonial stadium was planned to have a 4th tier with a maximum capacity of 66,000 - unfortunately it would've cost more than a straight hooker in st kilda to build so was later revised to 52k :(

Do you have any plan/pics of this original design for Colonial/Telstra Dome yob?

Football park only maintains it's existing capacity (of a legal 50,000) because it maintains aluminium benches for about 85% of it's seating. When the MCG had bench seating, it's capacity was rated at 110,000. Then they installed individual seats where they could and this reduced the stadium to 96,000. The MCG held 121,000 at the 1970 Grand Final but that was more by accident than good planning. There were people standing in and on parts of the ground that today would get the joint closed.

VFL Park is another example of this, when in 1983 92,000 crammed into a stadium that legally was only meant to jold 77,000.

If Football Park were converted to individual seats then the ground's capacity would plummet to a realistic 45,000? I agree that Football Park has a lot of potential for long term development into a show piece. It was built initially from vision, and lets hope that those who have inherited the vision do not lose sight of the goal of developing this ground into one of the nation's great stadiums.

ciaobellaxo:

Yes thanks for that image, I was aware of that image, in fact if my memory (and it's bloody good) serves me correctly, that same image was printed in "The Sun" on the Monday after the 92,000 block buster at VFL Park back in 1983. The catch cry at the time was "Why waste money on the MCG when we could have this?"

It was Premier John Cain Jr who ressurrected the MCG as a major sporting venue. His government shelled out money to install lighting and provide under writings toward the long term development of the MCG (including the building of the Great Southern Stand). Coincidently, John Cain Jr is a member of the MCG Trust, and his father (the then Premier in 1954) curiously was instumental in ensuring that the Olympic Games in 1956 were staged on the MCG.

There was alot more in Melbourne working against the concept and long term development of VFL (Arctic) Park than met the eye. We should also not forget that VFL Park was not put where it was because it was a stategic position, it was located there because that patch of land at the time was owned by the President of the VFL who genrously sold the land (and still made a profit) to the VFL.

There's more to these stories than just fanciful pictures of what could have been.

:)

You're a wealth of information adam!! Where do you get this stuff from? :D

Anyway, anyone taken some shots or got some news on the G? Is where the first level has ended now where the GSS will finish??

Originally posted by Adamonline
Football park only maintains it's existing capacity (of a legal 50,000) because it maintains aluminium benches for about 85% of it's seating. When the MCG had bench seating, it's capacity was rated at 110,000. Then they installed individual seats where they could and this reduced the stadium to 96,000. The MCG held 121,000 at the 1970 Grand Final but that was more by accident than good planning. There were people standing in and on parts of the ground that today would get the joint closed.

VFL Park is another example of this, when in 1983 92,000 crammed into a stadium that legally was only meant to jold 77,000.

If Football Park were converted to individual seats then the ground's capacity would plummet to a realistic 45,000? I agree that Football Park has a lot of potential for long term development into a show piece. It was built initially from vision, and lets hope that those who have inherited the vision do not lose sight of the goal of developing this ground into one of the nation's great stadiums.

With bucket seats the capacity drops to 52,000.

the WA clubs are making a pretty nice profit lately with the latest performances, and If the crazy johns sponsorship is taken the finances are looking pretty healty, and the popularity of AFL is as strong as ever in WA, so hopefully further redevelopment of subi isn't to far off. they will probably have to add a 3rd tier.... could get the capacity up to 60,000+