Ballymore Redevelopment

[Adam84]

Mate, every sport that isn't handed a bucket of money out of the Olympics is jealous/pissed off at those who did... Currently, every code/sport in QLD is throwing out proposals to justify further funding.

The reality is that many of those sports don't have enduring demand to justify stadiums being built for them or don't have facilities in locations conducive to hosting Olympic events, with hockey being one of those. QLD Hockey wouldn't be happy with a Perry Park solution either because it's temporary and doesn't deliver a direct legacy to them.

 

[KevinO]

I get that not every sport has the demand, but Qld hockey has a pretty strong case. They won both Mens and Womens national title in 2023, Kookaburras just won the FIH pro league for 2023 and they can't even host a international game in the state capital. Also JDH is behind QLD hockey and has some influences in the right places.

 

[Adam84]

The recent review requested by the new Premier acknowledged Hockey's bid but still recommended sticking with previous proposals.

Doesn't mean there wont be upgrades to infrastructure at Queensland Hockeys current facilities between now and then, it just mean's they wont be hosting the Olympic events at the state hockey centre... which is the right decision IMO.

Unless Hockey Australia agrees to shift the national hockey centre to Brisbane(similar to what RA have done with 7s and Wallaroos), it will struggle to get much traction.

 

[KevinO]

I know the state hockey center in Brisbane is crap to get to by transport, but hasn't local council done a lot of upgrades out that way lately? Have not been there in years but had friends there for some hockey recently and said there kids loved the new park near by.

 

[Adam84]

QLD Hockey's own recommendations were that the existing location at Colmslie probably isn't fit for purpose for going forward, lack of local amenities, poor transport and access to health facilities. They were scoping out other locations, including those outside of Brisbane including Logan and Moreton, but hadn't identified anywhere practical.

Alternatively upgrading the Gold Coast facilities(which were upgraded recently for 2018 Comm Games) and making those the primary state facilities.

 

[Wilson]

The reality is if hockey had a good case to make for a specific facility they would've made it along time ago. At the moment they are making as much noise as they can to get a piece of the pay which is understandable, but they're yet to put forward a particularly compelling argument or even commit to a single strategy. Their own infrastructure review acknowledges that Ballymore has plenty of advantages as the chosen hockey facility and is in line with the modern Olympic approach of utilizing existing venues over the development of purpose built ones.

I think their more realistic hope is to get investment in synthetic pitches across the SEQ area and possibly see Downey park used in conjunction with Ballymore that could then potentially become a permanent venue going forward, though even that looks like a reach at this stage.

 

[Slayer!]

Hockey's old timers bleating about needing their own stadium are almost as bad as the foolish old QRU Life Members who tried to stop the Ballymore redevelopment to "bring the Reds back".

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Can we not knock off one of the few music festival venues Brisbane has? We don't need to stick a white elephant of a stadium in the showgrounds on behalf of a couple relatively unfollowed sports.

King St and that north part of the valley/south part of bowen hills will develop organically on its own as Brisbane's population grows. Just look at all the apartment blocks going up in the valley at the moment.

 

[Ignoto]

Surely it can be made multi purpose? Having it along with the Vic Park precinct with a round oval would hugely benefit potential festivals.

Add in the Roma Street entertainment area that's been proposed and the future looks bright for festivals and large scale events. I would imagine the biggest showstopper is the cost of running these festivals rather than the lack of location?

 

[dru]

You describe where I live. I think developing Perry park is entirely consistent with this local growth. Ditto the show grounds.

 

[PhilClinton]

People keep trying to make King St a thing but I am not sure it will get there. I could be wrong but hasn't there been something like 70% of businesses that have opened in that area since it was re-developed have since gone under? It's pretty bare bones at the moment.

You need more than just residential apartments to make an area flush with bodies who want to use the facilities.

Until the business district makes a notable shift into that area, I am not sure it will ever thrive with entertainment options.

 

[Wilson]

Covid put the brakes on what was a a pretty reasonable push to get more office occupancy and day time trade through the Valley and into Bowen Hills. It's left Brisbane a bit overstocked with office space as a whole after demand dropped right back and it'll take time to course correct. Not entirely sure they've quite worked out the direction there at the moment, but long term it's almost inevitable given the options available and centrality of the area. Probably waiting on cross river rail to unlock it as an option for more commuters.

 

[Wilson]

Interesting to see the NSW Blues were training at Ballymore today, not sure I've seen them there before. Benefits of having the training centre as well as the stadium itself.

 

[Sully]

Interesting to see the NSW Blues were training at Ballymore today, not sure I've seen them there before. Benefits of having the training centre as well as the stadium itself.

As long as they are paying.

 

[PhilClinton]

As long as they are paying.

Triple rates I heard.

 

[Adam84]

To be fair, QRU are using these training sessions from visiting teams and codes as marketing opportunities to justifying the ‘multi-sport’ aspect of the precinct, thus deriving their own value from it.

 

[dru]

To be fair, QRU are using these training sessions from visiting teams and codes as marketing opportunities to justifying the ‘multi-sport’ aspect of the precinct, thus deriving their own value from it.

It's still uncomfortable.

 

[LeCheese]

It's still uncomfortable.

I'd much rather the Reds were in a strong financial position than make the venue off-limits to people south of an arbitrary line on a map.

 

[Ignoto]

Do visiting teams still get sent out to the Grammar fields these days? I remember seeing the ABs out there but unsure if that's changed?

 

[dru]

I'd much rather the Reds were in a strong financial position than make the venue off-limits to people south of an arbitrary line on a map.

My discomfort is not based on borders. I'd hope the resulting income justifies the discomfort.