AFL chief Gillon McLachlan favours revamp of Etihad Stadium, says two stadiums enough for MelbourneJON RALPH
Herald Sun
March 19, 2016GILLON McLachlan says the league doesn’t need a third boutique stadium at Punt Rd, clearly favouring a future refurbishment of Etihad Stadium.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale have both put forward alternative stadium proposals in recent weeks.
McGuire wants a 60,000-seat stadium to replace the Docklands venue and the Tigers believe Punt Rd could be a 40,000-seat boutique third stadium.
AFL chief executive McLachlan seems to favour the cheaper version — sprucing up Etihad Stadium after buying it for the right price in coming years.
He put State and Federal governments on notice they must step up with funding for stadium enhancements.
But he does not favour Gale’s model, believing a two-stadium model for the city is enough.
“At Punt Rd the debate is around a third boutique stadium, having a 25,000 or 30,000-seat stadium,’’ McLachlan said.
“My personal view is that two football venues is enough. But it is a worthwhile debate and that is what Brendon and Richmond’s proposal is about.
“They are an excellent candidate if you went down the path of a boutique venue.”
McLachlan said an upgrade of Etihad Stadium could see the AFL “open up the stadium and have it face out as much as in,” in a relatively cheap renovation.
He says for Melbourne to remain relevant as a major sporting town governments need to continue pumping money into infrastructure and venues.
“What this discussion recognises is this is a major events and sports town. It is a big industry and big business in Melbourne and Victoria,’’ McLachlan said.
“We are a $3 billion industry with major events and sports and we need to continue to invest in facilities.
“The NSW government is about to spend $2 billion in the next 10 years on stadia.
“The new Perth stadium is about to come online in 2018. The Adelaide Oval has been a sporting and economic success for Adelaide.
“So upgrading facilities is the right debate for a city like Melbourne to have.”
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