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New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
April 7, 2014 - 8:14PM
An artist's impression of the development of Ballarat's showgrounds.
A new multimillion-dollar proposal to redevelop North Ballarat’s showgrounds precinct has rekindled the prospect of AFL games at Eureka Stadium.
As the state opposition planned on Tuesday to unveil the $20 million-$30 million scheme around the stadium once mooted as a second home for North Melbourne and Cricket Victoria, it has emerged that the AFL has also earmarked Victoria’s western corridor as holding a pivotal place in its game development, potentially involving the Western Bulldogs, who remain without a second home-fixture stronghold.
While the Kangaroos on Monday night reaffirmed their interest in playing home-and-away games at Eureka Stadium, it is understood there has also been a push for the Western Bulldogs to target Ballarat and its surrounds as part of that club's efforts to extend its boundaries.
Both North and the Bulldogs continue to struggle to make a profit with their stadium deals at Etihad.
St Kilda, another struggling Etihad tenant, has turned to New Zealand as a home venue.
Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews is expected on Tuesday to unveil his Eureka Stadium proposal in one of Victoria’s most marginal seats as part of Labor’s campaign to win back government in the November state election.
Former premier John Brumby joined forces with North Melbourne in 2010 when he announced a proposed redevelopment of the precinct, but that plan was abandoned when Labor lost the election.
The Kangaroos had looked at playing four games annually at a redeveloped Eureka, but the club is now also committed to two home-and-away games each year at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena.
That deal finishes at the end of 2014, but North boss Carl Dilena said the club expected to open negotiations soon with the Tasmanian government, adding: “We’re still supportive of the concept of playing football in North Ballarat.”
The Kangaroos drew 7800 people to its 2014 NAB Challenge clash against Carlton at the stadium in February.
The biggest AFL attendance at the ground was in a 2012 pre-season game between North and the Bulldogs.
After Ted Baillieu’s government rejected the development, the City of Ballarat, the stadium’s owner, formed a committee in a bid to keep the prospect of a redeveloped community sporting precinct at the showgrounds alive, involving key stakeholders representing Australian football, netball, basketball and cricket.
It has been estimated that a total of $80 million would be required to develop the precinct and transform Eureka Stadium into an AFL venue with a 15,000-spectator capacity.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...#ixzz2yCXqPFxK
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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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
We will play there for a few years and then Broken Hill.
Seriously, being an AFL nomad trying to busk for coins where ever we seem to be is a little frustrating.
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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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
What a horrible place to play football. Hope we don't end up playing there.
The curse is dead.
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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
Originally Posted by
chef
What a horrible place to play football. Hope we don't end up playing there.
No love for Ballarat?
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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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
Originally Posted by
bornadog
No love for Ballarat?
Ballarat in July would make Waverley seem like the tropics
Park that car
Drop that phone
Sleep on the floor
Dream about me
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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
Originally Posted by
The Underdog
Ballarat in July would make Waverley seem like the tropics
Try living here, brother.
Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.
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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
Originally Posted by
The Underdog
Ballarat in July would make Waverley seem like the tropics
Whitten Oval is pretty cold in July. Ballarat isn't the worst option.
"Did someone say Ballarat?"
image.jpg
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
C'mon Comrade, it is much better than it was 20 years ago.
There is no parking and no public transport at that ground. It is also a proxy oval at best.
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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
To me this just reads as a veiled threat to Etihad Stadium management. If they want to play hard ball on the purchase price of the ground we'll find somewhere else for now and take the stadium for $1 in 2025.
Western Bulldogs: We exist to win premierships
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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
Originally Posted by
The Underdog
Ballarat in July would make Waverley seem like the tropics
The coldest main city in Australia
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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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
It would be good at least to have the option.
Ticket pricing would have to reflect the regional setting. The NAB game in 2012 was packed out and very festive. There were that many people the AGE journos were having to climb over fences to get to the box.
If this could be sustained is another question.
We are a tough club, and I think we can handle the cold mornings
Last edited by Ghost Dog; 08-04-2014 at 12:03 PM.
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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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
Originally Posted by
bornadog
No love for Ballarat?
I went to school there and have played on the oval.......soooooo cold and muddy. Arse end of the earth for me.
The curse is dead.
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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
Originally Posted by
bornadog
The coldest main city in Australia
Yep, it certainly is.
The curse is dead.
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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
Originally Posted by
chef
Yep, it certainly is.
The very high elevation makes it very cold in the winter months.
"Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"
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Re: New proposal for AFL games in Ballarat
Canberra is not overly warm either!
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