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  1. #31
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Quote Originally Posted by bulldogtragic View Post
    Already much, much better than Spotless Stadium.

    The front row seats are going to be right over the action.

    They might want to work on the surface a bit.
    Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?


    I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite

  2. #32
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    It looks great but we've already outgrown it.
    They need to complete the whole stadium not 3 quarters of it.
    Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

  3. #33
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Quote Originally Posted by SlimPickens View Post
    Went to a game at Spotless last year and thought it was a great venue! Although the result may lend some bias
    The ground had allocated two seats in every row of the cheer squad (inc. mine), but they were the stairs so we had no seats. Staff were borderline calling us liars and wouldn't simply walk down the stairs, wouldn't give us seats initially and told us we couldn't sit on the stairs where we were allocated. They forced dogs members far and wide across the ground in the end after we started to get antsy. Including sending frail old ladies to the top of the grandstand. I got to sit in the cheer squad in the end, but with one scoreboard, and sitting low we couldn't a see a fair bit of play down the other end, or we had to sit with back to play. Beer sold out before half time at the Bulldogs end. I can't even joke about the venue or staff being ok. The only upside was getting a lot of us pissed off and then us giving it Heath Shaw who was nice to give us daggers and flick us the bird surupticiously from time to time. It's nice to know he heard us, in between getting crazy gestures and sprays from Libba.

    Seriously shit venue.
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

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  5. #34
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Not to mention what the hell are they building in the Bulldog pocket?
    Looks like a friggin mountain bike course.

  6. #35
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Quote Originally Posted by redders70 View Post
    Not to mention what the hell are they building in the Bulldog pocket?
    Looks like a friggin mountain bike course.

    In all seriousness the other day on the telly they said it was an obstacle course. It looks like an obstacle course.
    Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?


    I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite

  7. #36
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Quote Originally Posted by bulldogtragic View Post
    The ground had allocated two seats in every row of the cheer squad (inc. mine), but they were the stairs so we had no seats. Staff were borderline calling us liars and wouldn't simply walk down the stairs, wouldn't give us seats initially and told us we couldn't sit on the stairs where we were allocated. They forced dogs members far and wide across the ground in the end after we started to get antsy. Including sending frail old ladies to the top of the grandstand. I got to sit in the cheer squad in the end, but with one scoreboard, and sitting low we couldn't a see a fair bit of play down the other end, or we had to sit with back to play. Beer sold out before half time at the Bulldogs end. I can't even joke about the venue or staff being ok. The only upside was getting a lot of us pissed off and then us giving it Heath Shaw who was nice to give us daggers and flick us the bird surupticiously from time to time. It's nice to know he heard us, in between getting crazy gestures and sprays from Libba.

    Seriously shit venue.
    No wonder you and my dad got on so well. It's exactly the sort of thing he works himself up about too. "Did you see Bont's goal dad?" "No, I've been glaring at a bloke over there. He was shouting too loud"
    Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?


    I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite

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  9. #37
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Quote Originally Posted by SlimPickens View Post
    Went to a game at Spotless last year and thought it was a great venue! Although the result may lend some bias
    Loved spotless as a venue to watch footy.

  10. #38
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Quote Originally Posted by Twodogs View Post
    The front row seats are going to be right over the action.

    They might want to work on the surface a bit.
    The surface is fantastic, you wouldn't find a better surface anywhere.


  11. #39
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Quote Originally Posted by GVGjr View Post
    It looks great but we've already outgrown it.
    They need to complete the whole stadium not 3 quarters of it.
    Okay we ought to not get too excited about five minutes of sunshine last season and the honeymoon carrying into this year. Our membership and game attendances have recently spiked on the back of Premiership success last yeat, but consider that if we misfire this season and even get knocked out early in the finals (if we make it ... in consideration that only three games separate #14 on the ladder and #3).

    The competition is a lot tighter now and I would expect that if we don't perform as well as perhaps many expected us to this year then we might expect that some of the band-wagon jumpers may fall away. It is likely that our memberships will stabilise and grow steadily after the recent surge, but if on field performance is not meeting supporter expectations then attendances will likely drop again, take North Melbourne and Hawthorn as cases in point. Their attendances in Tassie this year have dropped off spectacularly with average crowds of 9,000 and 13,000 respectively in grounds that hold 20,000.

    The WBFC originally asked for a 15,000 seat ground, beyond the two AFL games per-season that we are guaranteeing Ballarat, there is no likelyhood that the ground would ever be filled beyond 15,000 at any other time (short of Ballarat reaching the 150,000 population milestone). To build a 20,000 capacity ground for the sake of 2 AFL games per-year in a city of 102,000 is an unrealistic and unfair demand to put back on rate-payers.

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  13. #40
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Eureka Stadium now officially 'Mars Stadium':

    Local Ballarat international confectionery giant 'Mars' has been announced as the new naming rights sponsor of Eureka Stadium in Ballarat. The newly-renovated venue, which will host its first AFL game in round 22, is now known as Mars Stadium.

  14. #41
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Funding boost for Mars Stadium

    Nov 13, 2018 5:14PM











    The Government made the announcement today, ahead of the State Election on Saturday, November 24.

    A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will deliver an $11.8 million funding boost for Ballarat’s Eureka Sports Precinct, with more than half of that dedicated to improving amenities at Mars Stadium.

    The Government made the announcement today, ahead of the State Election on Saturday, November 24.

    The game-day experience at Mars Stadium will be improved thanks to a $6.6 million injection which includes:

    • Additional accessible seating in the Western and Eastern stands.
    • Upgraded entrances with new ticket boxes.
    • Covered areas to make it easier and more comfortable for fans to enter the ground.
    • Permanent bathrooms to replace temporary toilets on match days.
    • Improved standing areas.
    • Permanent food and beverage areas.

    The Western Bulldogs, the Andrews Government and the City of Ballarat have enjoyed a strong partnership over the last three years, which has seen AFL played in the region for the first time.

    The Bulldogs have hosted three AFL games for premiership points at the venue, as well as played in JLT Community Series games and AFLW practice matches.

    The Club has also conducted its AFL Community Camps in the region in recent years, and delivered a suite of programs focused on schools, men’s and women’s health and youth leadership.

    “Today’s announcement is an indication of the Andrews Government’s commitment to enhancing the game-day experience at Mars Stadium and supporting sport in the region,” said Bulldogs’ President Peter Gordon.

    “The Club has made a long-term commitment to building its footprint in the west of Victoria, including Ballarat.
    “Each time we’ve played there we’ve learned something new. The last game was the first in which we struck really inclement conditions, and I promised our members that we would respond to ensure that the game-day experience would be better in future games, come rail, hail or shine.

    “We are delighted that the Andrews Government has taken this initiative so adeptly, and so responsively, for footy fans and the people of Ballarat.”

    The Andrews Government initially provided more than $38.5 million to upgrade the Mars Stadium Precinct, including $15 million to bring the stadium up to a standard to host AFL matches.

    Earlier this year it also invested a further $500,000 to start planning for the second stage of the Mars Stadium redevelopment.

    “We’re investing in the future of Mars Stadium to bring more footy, more visitors and more jobs to Ballarat,” said Premier Daniel Andrews.

    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.

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  16. #42
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    ^^^^^^

    A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will deliver an $11.8 million funding boost for Ballarat’s Eureka Sports Precinct, with more than half of that dedicated to improving amenities at Mars Stadium.

    The Government made the announcement today, ahead of the State Election on Saturday, November 24.

    The game-day experience at Mars Stadium will be improved thanks to a $6.6 million injection which includes:

    - Additional accessible seating in the Western and Eastern stands.
    - Upgraded entrances with new ticket boxes.
    - Covered areas to make it easier and more comfortable for fans to enter the ground.
    - Permanent bathrooms to replace temporary toilets on match days.
    - Improved standing areas.
    - Permanent food and beverage areas.

    .......

    Thank you Mr Re-Elected Premier for the $11,800,000 being wisely invested into making our club more profitable. Cheques to please go through Mr. A. Bains.
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

  17. #43
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Heated seats please.
    You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships every day. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity. ― Epicurus

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  19. #44
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    Upgrades underway for Mars Stadium

    Ballarat's Mars Stadium has commenced a $6.6 million upgrade that will see various facilities improved including new entrances to the regional venue.

    The upgrade works follow an $11.8 million pledge for the precinct from Labor leading into the 2018 state election, with $6.6 million dedicated to Mars Stadium and a further $5.2 million for the newly opened Ballarat Sports and Events Centre.

    Work at Mars Stadium includes the construction of two new permanent entrances, new food and beverage outlets, permanent toilets for the Southern end and upgraded unisex player change rooms.

    The City of Ballarat opened the tender process earlier this year in May and construction is now underway, with work expected to completed by late 2021.

    Since its major redevelopment in 2017, the Ballarat venue, formerly known as Eureka Stadium, has hosted five AFL premiership season matches, A-League matches as well as Super Rugby and Nitro Circus.

    The upgrades will improve facilities at the stadium for hosting elite sports and events, with the City of Ballarat believing the existing amenities could have become a sticking point to retaining and attracting such events.

    Work will also include improved disability access to seating in the western and eastern stands, while standing areas for spectators will be improved for viewing on the terrace.

    The AFL-sanctioned capacity is 10,700 fans and in 2018, City of Ballarat explored development options to expand AFL match capacity to at least 15,000 fans, according to the project tender outlines.

    The state government has confirmed Victoria's major stadia strategy recognises Mars Stadium's importance and value as a second-tier venue "to support the growth of emerging sports, promote sport to regional areas and support scheduling conflicts in Victoria's busy sports and events calendar".

    Meanwhile, planned stage two upgrades to the Ballarat Sports and Events Centre include permanent three-on-three basketball courts, a strength and conditioning gym and a new skin for the original build.
    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.

  20. #45
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    Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat

    I think we are onto a winner there. Regional Victoria just got a whole lot more attractive for people.

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