Richmond reveals grand plan for 40,000-seat stadium at Punt RdMARK ROBINSON
Herald Sun
March 17, 2016 8:00pmRICHMOND has proposed a glittering third stadium for Melbourne as an alternative to Eddie McGuire’s proposed 60,000-seat extravaganza across the railway tracks.
The Tigers’ Punt Rd Oval master plan centres on a new stadium with up to 40,000 seats and a fans’ zone area between the ground and the neighbouring MCG.
Importantly, Richmond railway station is part of the redevelopment plan.
“Is a third stadium worth exploring? I don’t know, that will be up to the AFL, but we want to be in the discussion,’’ Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale told the Herald Sun.
Former AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou was a key supporter of the plans when they were mooted in 2013 and the cost of an 18,000-seat stadium was put at $180 million.
A capacity increased to 40,000 would mean a blowout to an estimated $380 million.
It is understood senior AFL officials have seen architects’ drawings, revealed by the Herald Sun.
Funding would be expected to come from the AFL and the State Government and would not require the sale of Etihad Stadium, like the McGuire plan.
Gale said Punt Rd was an obvious choice for a third venue.
“We are in the process of developing a master plan for this precinct,” Gale said.
“Back in 2013, Demetriou was the driver of this and the attraction for them was having a lower capacity, lower cost stadium for smaller fixtures.
“And also stadium economics and finances are the biggest driver of disparity of wealth (among clubs) and we could try to address that by having a third venue.
“So, Andrew said ‘would you be interested in having a look at it for Punt Rd?’
“Punt Rd should be in the frame. It’s an existing venue, it wouldn’t require the selling of Etihad, and the Richmond railway station has been the agenda for a number of years and maybe this gives the government the opportunity to redevelop that.”
The debate ignited when Collingwood president McGuire suggested a new stadium on the Hisense Arena site prompted the Richmond senior management to put the Punt Rd plans back on the agenda at a meeting two weeks ago. The MCC was also briefed.
There is no State Government engagement as yet, but Gale believes Premier Daniel Andrews, who is also a supporter in principle of McGuire’s stadium plan, should be a substantial funds contributor.
“The economic impact of this game is huge, $3 billion, half a million members, how many fans are there in Victoria?’’ Gale said.
“This game is a huge driver of this economy. And I think we’re entitled to question the extent our government invests in football relative to other states.”
It is understood the AFL favours a refurbishment of Etihad Stadium rather than selling it and building at Hisense Arena, and Gale agrees.
“Our personal view is we keep Etihad Stadium,” he said.
“It’s going to be worth $1 billion and we’ve got an 18th share in that in 2026. It’s a huge asset for the competition.
“So, what’s attractive about this is the capacity of maybe 40,000, which would support the business models of some clubs.”
McGuire’s plan, which would cost an estimated $1 billion, has the support of several clubs and major events king Ron Walker.
But not everyone believes it would be the right move. Former Premier Jeff Kennett has said the idea was already “dead and buried”.
The Tigers have a lease at Punt Rd and would use it as club HQ and training ground.
They believe a redevelopment of the railway station, with a new stadium on the way to the MCG, would enhance one of the world’s best sporting precincts.
How a redeveloped Punt Rd Oval will look next to the MCG.
An architect’s impression of how Punt Rd Oval would look as a 40,000-seat AFL venue, with a rejuvenated Richmond station as part of the master plan.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-reveals-grand-plan-for-40000seat-stadium-at-punt-rd/news-story/1206f2549e5a4166381f96e5c70d162b
