With all the recent hullabaloo about the stadia to be used in Australia’s bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, we need to ask a different question: what exactly will the proposed $2 billion in government funding be used for?
The most recently built rectangular stadia in Australia have been on the Gold Coast (cost $160 milllion, capacity 27,000) and Melbourne (cost $267 million, capacity 31,000).
I know next to nothing about building or upgrading stadia, but average these two out and it works out to be $7,300 per seat.
So how about this list:
1 ANZ stadium, Sydney (cosmetic upgrade) $30M.
2 SFS, Sydney (cosmetic upgrade) $30M.
3 MCG, Melbourne (cosmetic upgrade) $30M.
4 Suncorp, Brisbane (upgrade to 60,000) $60M.
5 EAS, Newcastle (upgrade to 40,000) $50M.
6 Skilled Park, Gold Coast (upgrade to 40,000) $95M.
7 Bubble Dome, Melbourne (upgrade to 40,000) $150M (based on media reports of the roof related costs).
8 New rectangular Canberra stadium (40,000) $290M.
9 New rectangular Perth stadium (40,000) $290M.
10 New rectangular Adelaide stadium (40,000) $290M.
11 New rectangular Townsville stadium (40,000) $290M.
12 Parramatta stadium (upgrade to 40,000) $145M.
So, if we use all twelve stadia, it costs $1.8B. If we use the first ten (South Africa is only using ten), it costs $1.35B.
AFL experiences minimal disruption and the three rectangular football codes get a real legacy and ongoing tenants in A-League, NRL and Super 15 sides.
I have read about how Skilled Park and the Bubble Dome cannot be upgraded. I don’t believe it.
I think that the proposed $450 million upgrade to Adelaide Oval and the Carrara Oval upgrade (which will host six AFL games per year) were hush money for the AFL to support the bid.
That deal is now seems to be in jeopardy.
Mxjosh
Roar Rookie
The question isnt wether they can or cant be upgraded, because they can. The question is wether they can afford it. Matty using your budget yes it is perfectly affordable to upgrade/build new stadiums and if this was all that was needed to be done im sure the FFA and Aus Govt would do this. However you failed to include in your budget other costs associated with running and event such as the World Cup, which includes transport, media and hotel upgrades for the teams. It does concern me however the fact that we dont seem to have the money say the south africa or Germany bid had
Mushi
Guest
“I know next to nothing about building or upgrading stadia, but average these two out and it works out to be $7,300 per seat.” If you know next to nothing about it then why are you putting up a solution for something you know nothing about? Taking the average of two new stadiums and extrapolate that over a mix 12 upgrades and new stadia is ridiculous. It’s pretty clear that costing a stadium isn’t that simple when the two you’ve used differ by $2,687 per seat (according to your calcs). Different designs, planning laws, tipping points for the economies of scale, new versus extension costs etc all render this piece pretty much pointless. I do love however that on a topic you confess to know nothing about you run with “I have read about how Skilled Park and the Bubble Dome cannot be upgraded. I don’t believe it”.
Punter
Guest
I think you will find that while India is mad about cricket & daylight 2nd. You will find football is the most popular football code in India & thriving over there on the local scene.
Chris
Guest
What a rational argument - holding up North Korea and Togo as shining beacons to the world! Great stuff! "Never be taken seriously by the world" - care to name where you live? USA and India don't care at all about Soccer and they are taken more seriously than any country which plays "Nil all". But you're right - you have North Korea and Togo! (your words - not mine)
Brett McKay
Guest
Anything constructive to add here, Grobelaar, or any of the other threads you've graced us with your presence??
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
No we don't. We need to drop this topic. There's been well over 1000 comments inside a few days on an issue which no-one can really comprehend. The stadiums are one part of the bid and everyone keeps on focusing on these small segments of the big picture - totally pointless.