[DEF] AAMI Stadium Upgrade | $100m | 52,000

[adam73837]

...if people still call it a shit stadium...

People will continue to call it a shit stadium because nothing (except maybe one of those Japanese bullet trains ) can change the fact that it is in a pathetic location, and its design is severely outdated.

...then IMO that's all a shit sport deserves...

As I said earlier, IMO, the SANFL are scared of soccer (and possibly Rugby, which is also a global sport).

[adam73837]

...if people still call it a shit stadium...

People will continue to call it a shit stadium because nothing (except maybe one of those Japanese bullet trains ) can change the fact that it is in a pathetic location, and its design is severely outdated.

...then IMO that's all a shit sport deserves...

As I said earlier, IMO, the SANFL are scared of soccer (and possibly Rugby, which is also a global sport).

[flavze]

I think Melbourne is building its new rectangular stadium for something like $125m. It'll seat 25,000 or so. That's pretty good value - a whole stadium - when you look at the AAMI Stadium facelift by comparison.

melbourne is building a stadium with 31,000 capacity, i would imagine it's costing a fair bit more then that.
Gold Coast just finishes a stadium with 27,000 seats that was supposed to cost $135m but i never heard if it met the budget or went over.

[Tyler_Durden]

As I said earlier, IMO, the SANFL are scared of soccer (and possibly Rugby, which is also a global sport).

Do you really believe that or is it just wishful thinking?

Of course the SANFL (and AFL) are wary of other sports, just like they are wary of all other forms of entertainment, sport or otherwise. And they should be, it's always good business to treat the competition with respect and not take anything for granted. But to suggest they are scared of soccer is crazy. And to suggest that the SANFL is scared of Rugby, well that is just an idiotic statement. Rugby barely has a presence in SA at all. It is a minor sport at best, well down the pecking order. No one in their right mind could possibly come to that conclusion.

Think about this. Which competition, AFL or A-League, plays their competition out of season to avoid competition from the other one? Now ask yourself who is really scared of the competition?

You made the comment that those other competitions are global sports and that's their advantage. That may be a handy advantage but there are significant benefits to AFL not being a global sport. What it means is that the AFL can be an elite competition whereas the A-League cannot. And that is because the A-League will not only never have the worlds best players players playing in it, but it will never have even the best Australians playing in it. That, unfortunately, means it is a second or even third rate league at best. I'm not denegrating it, I am an A-League fan and Reds member, but it is fact. And the sports going public are fully aware of the difference. That's why despite the enormous popularity of the EPL here, that doesn't necessarily flow to the A-League. Some people just prefer to watch the best. That's how it is. The A-League will always be a second or third tier league because the best will always be playing in the European or the rich Asian and Middle Eastern competitions.

The AFL is an elite league and it's uniquely Australian. In a world that is becoming more and more globalised it is great to have our own unique sport, something that is uniquely Australian. Foreigners love it. To them it's quirky yet entertaining. And at the top level we have an elite league with crowds the envy of some of the biggest sports leagues in the world. The AFL has the fourth largest average attendances among domestic sporting competitions anywhere in the world, behind America's NFL, the Indian Premier League and Germany's Bundesliga. That puts AFL average crowd figures above such esteemed competitions as England's Premier League, Major League Baseball, Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A. Whatever spin you want to put on it, the AFL does alright for itself considering Australia's relatively small population and is a force to be reckoned with. It's growing too.

[jk1237]

I'll second that Tyler_Durden. Agree 100%

[adam73837]

As I said earlier, IMO, the SANFL are scared of soccer (and possibly Rugby, which is also a global sport).

Do you really believe that or is it just wishful thinking?

Now that I look back on it, (regarding the SANFL,) maybe not the 'Rugby' part, but certainly the soccer. I mean if people read some of the things that the SANFL, AFL and to a small extent, the SA Government say and the way that they act, you begin to see the clear picture, that deep down, these guys are worried.
Meanwhile, they (the AFL) are also making certain last, ditch efforts to expand the sport, not to mention the fact that they make people like Michaelangelo Rucci put pathetic statemtns in the paper regarding the exapnsion (and don't get me started on the way they treat the draft picks, etc.). For example, a week or two back, there was an article about how the AFL have established a clinic for young African immigrants living in Australia. At the end of the article, it said something around the lines of them 'hoping that these kids' kids will grow up with a football in their hand, rather than a soccerball at their feet'. Perhaps they'd like to think that over again because I for one can't see African kids (who love their soccer) growing up with Aussie Rules footballs in their hands. Then there's the AFLs plan to expand the AFL into two areas, where Rugby has a fairly large presence. There's Western Sydney, (where everyone knows Rugby is king) and then there's the Gold Coast. Gold Coast already has their Rugby Team, the Gold Coast Titans, and the soon-to-be-established Gold Coast United of the A-League that will share the recently-completed Skilled Park.

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IMO, the AFL need to expand on what they've got by doing things such as relocating some of the struggling Victorian clubs to places such as Tasmania and Canberra.

That's why despite the enormous popularity of the EPL here, that doesn't necessarily flow to the A-League. Some people just prefer to watch the best. That's how it is. The A-League will always be a second or third tier league because the best will always be playing in the European or the rich Asian and Middle Eastern competitions.

True, true and I completely agree with you. However, soccer will eventually take off; if Australia continue to qualify for the WC (yes I know that now that we're in Asia, it'll be more difficult) and if our A-League clubs continue to make a similar presence in the AFC Champions League as Adelaide United have, we'll all watch soccer grow in front of our eyes. Yes, it will take much time because people prefer to watch the best playing in Europe, but as I said earlier, soccer will eventually take off. But that doesn't mean that Aussie Rules will become 'extinct', either, it will just mean that we'll have two big sports. No wait, three big sports (when you include cricket that has matches that last for days).

The AFL is an elite league and it's uniquely Australian. In a world that is becoming more and more globalised it is great to have our own unique sport, something that is uniquely Australian. Foreigners love it. To them it's quirky yet entertaining. And at the top level we have an elite league with crowds the envy of some of the biggest sports leagues in the world. The AFL has the fourth largest average attendances among domestic sporting competitions anywhere in the world, behind America's NFL, the Indian Premier League and Germany's Bundesliga. That puts AFL average crowd figures above such esteemed competitions as England's Premier League, Major League Baseball, Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A.

Well there you go, AFL is big ; I was never denying it, nor was I saying that I hate the sport (please don't anyone say that Tyler_Durden didn't say that, because I'm aware and I am saying it now, so that people don't jump down my throat with it). I was saying that the growth of soccer is causing the SANFL and AFL's stomachs to churn, which when we consider the information that you've just given, really makes you scratch your head. We must also remember that in England, despite the fact that they're average attendantces are lower, soccer is HUGE. Therefore, if we were to inject Aussie Rules, I doubt it would be bigger than what the A-League is. Somehow, I severely doubt that the Barclay's Premier League would feel threatened by the sport. Which makes us ask, why the SANFL and AFL are all jumpy and agitated. This then brings us back to the question of 'why they don't want to shift to a multi-purpose stadium in the city?'. They'd be happy there, what with the increase in crowd numbers, atmosphere, etc. Not to mention the fact that the stadium would be used all year round, rather than being empty for half the year (soon AAMI will be empty for about 3/4 of the year...) If you ask me, the Rann-SANFL-AFL Triangle is nothing more than a boys' club that the public is having now say in, despite the fact that the public is screaming out for a new Stadium in the CBD. What we need to break that traingle is a Kennet, who has the balls to stand up to the vocal minorities. IS MHS the answer? I don't know, we'll just have to wait and see how the next few years unfold...

[pushbutton]

Personally I can't see what attracts anyone to go and spend hours of their weekend sitting watching a bunch of guys kicking a ball around. I don't care if it's called soccer, aussie rules, or rugby. It's the same pointless boring thing to me. I would, without any exaggeration at all, much rather watch paint dry!

However, we do need a decent stadium in Adelaide for the many thousands of people who for some reason do find it enjoyable to watch football. As for the location, I can't think of a worse location than right in the middle of the CBD. To me that would be sheer stupidity because it would cause major traffic problems and be very difficult for people to get to and from.

The West Lakes location is still reasonably central (only about 20 minutes or so from the Adelaide CBD) and in global terms it's very easily accessible by both car and public transport. If they go ahead with plans to build a tram line to it, that will be a further big improvement.

As for having things to do around the stadium, West Lakes has plenty or shops and restaurants, and cinemas, and there's more shops and restaurants to come in the next year or so therefore I don't see a problem with that.

For all these reasons I say we should keep the stadium where it is (which is a given now anyway) and just improve it.

One option though that doesn't seem to have had much discussion is perhaps if improving AAMI stadium will cost more than building a new one (which I think some people have suggested), then maybe they should just demolish AAMI stadium and build a new one in the same location? It might work out more cost effective in the long term, and would provide the opportunity to build something truly world class that would serve football fans well for a good many years. Just a thought anyway.

[adam73837]

As for the location, I can't think of a worse location than right in the middle of the CBD. To me that would be sheer stupidity because it would cause major traffic problems and be very difficult for people to get to and from.

Your assuming that a very large amount of the people would come by car, which (unlike at West lakes) will most certainly not be the case. This is because you have trains going right underneath it, you have the tram just next to it as well, AND let us not forget all the buses that feed into the CBD.

The West Lakes location is still reasonably central (only about 20 minutes or so from the Adelaide CBD) and in global terms it's very easily accessible by both car and public transport.

West Lakes is about as central to the CBD as Eagle on the Hill for goodness sake! You call that central?! As for being easily accessible by car, yeah! As is every other thing south of Grand Junction Rd, East of Gulf St. Vincent, West of the Adelaide Hills and North of Sturt Road! Let us also not forget that huge traffic gridlock on West Lakes Boulevard week in, week out! Meanwhile, as for public transport, the amount of PT at West Lakes is next to nothing compared to that of the CBD!!!

As for having things to do around the stadium, West Lakes has plenty or shops and restaurants, and cinemas, and there's more shops and restaurants to come in the next year or so therefore I don't see a problem with that.

The same thing applies to Mt Barker...
Meanwhile, all those things are growing in the CBD aren't they?

One option though that doesn't seem to have had much discussion is perhaps if improving AAMI stadium will cost more than building a new one (which I think some people have suggested), then maybe they should just demolish AAMI stadium and build a new one in the same location? It might work out more cost effective in the long term, and would provide the opportunity to build something truly world class that would serve football fans well for a good many years. Just a thought anyway.

Please tell me you're joking -about rebuilding it at its current site. Yes, it would probably cost more to upgrade AAMI to a world-class standard (or even an acceptable standard for that matter, so 'Let's knock it down and build a new one in the cbd for everyone to benefit from, not just the sheep that go up there week in, week out!

[Paulns]

'Let's knock it down and build a new one in the cbd for everyone to benefit from, not just the sheep that go up there week in, week out!

I completly agree with the above.

[Düsseldorfer]

This is because you have trains going right underneath it

Alright then why didn't they build the Olympic stadium on top of Central Station in Sydney?? Perfect location, trains running underneath to everywhere, and it's pretty much right in the city centre

[Paulns]

Because the Olympic stadium in Sydney was built within the Olympic precinct which required a lot of land and the closet avaliable to the city was at Homebush on an old disused Naval ammunitions depo. It's completly stupid to compare Sydney with Adelaide.... Anyone who's been to Sydney will realise that it's 4 times the size of Adelaide...

And that's not to mention Homebush has numerous modes of PT servicing it including the ferry service on the Parramatta River, a purpose built train line and various bus services, not mention taxi services, numerous purpose built carparks and the adjacent M4 Motorway which runs parallel to the Olympic precinct.

Sydney's Olympic precinct was designed specifically to be able to handle and move a large amount of people at once. Not just the stadium but the surrounding areas to support it. The reality for Football Park is that back in the 70's it wasn't designed like that for for us. Adelaide has grown significantly since then and will only continue to do so.

Once again it is completly stupid to compare Sydney with Adelaide......

[Tyler_Durden]

a week or two back, there was an article about how the AFL have established a clinic for young African immigrants living in Australia. At the end of the article, it said something around the lines of them 'hoping that these kids' kids will grow up with a football in their hand, rather than a soccerball at their feet'. Perhaps they'd like to think that over again because I for one can't see African kids (who love their soccer) growing up with Aussie Rules footballs in their hands.

I imagine back the 50s and 60s there may have been people saying the same things about our new immigrants then too. You know, those Italians, Greeks, Croatians, Britons, etc that were emigrating in huge waves from Europe. What do their kids and grand kids play now? They are into Australian Football just as much as they are into soccer. Look how many are represented at AFL level! Africans will be no different. The AFL are targetting them and they already participate in Aus Kick in healthy numbers.

[adam73837]

a week or two back, there was an article about how the AFL have established a clinic for young African immigrants living in Australia. At the end of the article, it said something around the lines of them 'hoping that these kids' kids will grow up with a football in their hand, rather than a soccerball at their feet'. Perhaps they'd like to think that over again because I for one can't see African kids (who love their soccer) growing up with Aussie Rules footballs in their hands.

I imagine back the 50s and 60s there may have been people saying the same things about our new immigrants then too. You know, those Italians, Greeks, Croatians, Britons, etc that were emigrating in huge waves from Europe. What do their kids and grand kids play now? They are into Australian Football just as much as they are into soccer. Look how many are represented at AFL level! Africans will be no different. The AFL are targetting them and they already participate in Aus Kick in healthy numbers.

Being of Greek descent myself (my grandparents migrated here in the 50s and 60s), I can tell you that despite the fact that there are many people that have descended from the European immigrants that are playing football, there are FAR more playing soccer. Besides, I think we're getting off topic here...

[aussie2000]

If soccer is more popular why do they all pull less crowds than an AFL game?

[crawf]

Anyone watch the report 'Stadium Wars' on Adelaide's own A Current Affair tonight?

The same thing applies to Mt Barker...
Meanwhile, all those things are growing in the CBD aren't they?

LOL Mount Barker