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Ballymore Redevelopment

JRugby2

Bill McLean (32)
So if the Mens team move they're relegated to doing push ups and sprints outside on XXXX hill then?
 

Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
You'd think they'd move both to the same location. Would be benefits to them training out of the same location. Also, easier (cheaper) to find a place to live in Brisbane compared to Eastern Sydney.
 

sunnyboys

Bob Loudon (25)
So the Reds are back to square one for funding phase two. Stuck with a condemned grandstand sucking money out of them, but not enough money to demolish the damn thing.
what a bloody mess.

what odds the reds and roar getting pointed in the direction of the RNA main show ring as the answer to a boutique stadium for their games ??
How the hell does a livestock and car stunt show oval get funding for 25000 seats and the Reds and the Roar get zilch??
 

Adam84

John Eales (66)
RNA is a different kettle of fish, word from sources close is that they were facing the real prospect of the EKKA been cancelled in the next 2 years and insolvency given the state of many of the RNAs buildings.

they have the eastern stand x10 what Ballymore has(in terms of age/issues) and heritage listings as well. Which they simply couldn’t afford to repair/replace and couldn’t legally keep using them give the state other.

not just a charitable handout though, RNA and the arena is a pretty functional place for events and festivals, even if it won’t have a dedicated sporting team. It’s also right next to a brand new train station
 
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PhilClinton

Paul McLean (56)
Yeh the RNA is a pretty useful and central multi functional space.

They hosted a 4WD and camping expo there recently and it was absolutely chockers.

The lack of direct public transport routes to deal with mass commuters to Ballymore is always going to be a huge red mark when looking for funding vs other venues.
 

sunnyboys

Bob Loudon (25)
Wasn't suggesting Ballymore as a boutique stadium. That ship has well and truly sailed. Reds are now just trying to get someone to pay for the demo. They must be gutted to be overlooked as an olympic venue.
Likewise QLD Football had its Perry Park plans ignored. With the focus being on the Olympics it's going to be hard to see any change in those arrangements for the next decade.
Not sure where that leaves phase 2 for Ballymore.
 

Adam84

John Eales (66)
Dave Hanham spoke about it, he said there's still a focus on Ballymore as a training facility and getting the women's 7s program there as well, which might be a catalyst for some investment to tear-down and replace the eastern stand.

It should be noted that the plans to host the Hockey at Ballymore never came with any funding to tear down the Eastern Stand, that was initially pitched as been useable, QRU/RA were still chasing funding for that and that's why they were dangling the carrot of relocating the Women's 7s program.
 

SouthernX

John Thornett (49)

Another nail in the Ballymore coffin

it’s a pretty nice coffin having the main stand renovated

sucks we won’t get the woman’s 7s HQ as part of Olympic funding so that is definitely a setback
 

Adam84

John Eales (66)
They’re kidding themselves if they think Bakkries is going to fund it, this argument will continue
 
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Wilson

John Eales (66)
My need more specifics to try and answer this:
- just train stations or bus/citycat stops as well?
- just the rugby stadiums (Ballymore and Suncorp), all stadiums (e.g. the Gabba, Perry park, etc.) or all the club rugby grounds (Brothers, Wests, UQ, etc.)?
 

Lindommer

Simon Poidevin (60)
Staff member
Major grounds only, and not bus stops. I can't stop thinking why the train station at Wilston isn't/hasn't been considered as the major transport conduit for Ballymore. Many years ago when I lived in Brisbane there was a pedestrian bridge over Enoggera Creek at the north-west corner of the ground (probably a sop to pissed Jeeps supporters to get them back to their club house at Finsbury Park...). My rough calculation has the distance some 500m along Murray Street to the other side of the creek. Which is a bit shorter than the distance from Ascot station to the racecourse in Berkshire along a dedicated laneway. I was considerably younger when I did that one but it wasn't onerous. At other times I've walked from Suncorp back to my digs in Turbot Street, from AAMI Park back into Melbourne CBD and from Murrayfield to the North British Hotel above Waverley station (about 2km). In Sydney the distance from the new tram stop at Moore Park to Allianz would be about 600/700m. These are all longer distances than from Wilston station to Ballymore.

That's why I asked for the distance spectators have to walk to major grounds in Brisbane.
 

Adam84

John Eales (66)
Yeah i agree, i don’t necessarily buy the argument Ballymore is inaccessible when access from Wilston Station could be done very easily if they spent the money with improved paths and a new bridge across the creek(a small cost in the broader scheme of things). Historically the trains in Brisbane, even for Ferny Grove line haven’t had the greatest frequency, but they’re better these days.

Even running a shuttle bus service from RBWH Busway station on matchday is another easy solution for crowds for those coming via busway/metro.
 

dillyboy

Colin Windon (37)
I think the problem with this plan (which I agree is a good one) is that the people of Wilston didn't want the foot traffic in their streets ..

Which shows the short memories as it's as you say & there used to be a bridge through to the Wilston side
 

JRugby2

Bill McLean (32)
This is what used to happen and was part of the problem. Narrow streets - now narrower thanks to population growth and proclivity towards sharehousing in the area leading to more cars on the streets, and opposition from residents. If Ballymore was ever redeveloped to become a working stadium hosting multiple major events - I'm guessing buses would be part of the solution but not the main ingredient - like they would at most event precincts required to have multiple exit points.

And absolutely with investment in the pathway, station and rail-line Wilston Station is a perfectly workable solution. With investment quite a lot of things are possible - but it's just so hard to see anyone giving it a look in considering the relative distance to the station vs Perry Park which has a major transport hub already built across the road. Why would planners bend over backwards to retrofit a suburb and build a stadium, when they could just build a stadium?

It's clear none of these things are completely unworkable for Ballymore - more so are they smart considering the pros and cons of the alternative?
 

Adam84

John Eales (66)
Perry Park isn't without its issues... the precinct is a complete knock-down and rebuild, none of the exsisting infrastructure is useable.

Bowen Hills stadium is over the road from Perry Park, but, Abbotsford Road is an arterial road that would require a pedestrian concourse across, similar to Milton Road/Suncorp Stadium, which would all add to the cost. Side bar Bowen Hill Station will also lose the Beenleigh/Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast lines from 2027 when CRR opens.

I'd say the other element is Ballymore is marketed as a training/community/stadium facility, whereas Perry Park is exclusively a stadium aimed almost purely at football, which plays a political aspect as well(for better and worse).. Cost wise for Perry Park you're looking at $250 million minimum for a boutique 10-15k stadium, which is largely taretted at a sport/team which currently draws 5k on average to Suncorp.
 

Strewthcobber

Michael Lynagh (62)
Many years ago when I lived in Brisbane there was a pedestrian bridge over Enoggera Creek at the north-west corner of the ground (probably a sop to pissed Jeeps supporters to get them back to their club house at Finsbury Park...).
How long ago are we talking Lindommer? I'm trying to remember if I ever used this - my memory is I only ever used the narrow one east of the ground with the water pipe, connecting Noble St.

Back in the glory days, with the big crowds the bus to Easts from up on Butterfield St was my go to

The last big crowd at Ballymore I went to was a soaking wet night in 2010. That walk to Wilston station after getting flogged by the Blues felt very long and very wet with a long wait at the station.
 
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