|
Post by wheezer on Dec 11, 2010 16:26:25 GMT 10
As the league expands into future seasons, do you think the Showgrounds will remain the Aces homefield?
Let's imagine after 3-4 years we have a 90s ABL size following...
The only long-term issue I could see is a lack of room for expansion. Seats, food stalls/retail, toilets, even standing room could get pretty tight as numbers grow.
|
|
|
Post by skinny on Dec 11, 2010 18:07:25 GMT 10
Wheezer, I think it would be perfect. those seats sit 4500 ( so i have been told ). you are close to the action and believe you me, If you got 4500-5000 at a game every week, it would be a success. and from experience, there is nothing more intimadating than a large, noisy home crowd. Parry field used to have that effect.. but if the crowds do get larger, then another option would need to be found.You could possibly put a stand out at LF that could hold 500 or more..not sure but cant wait to see a crowd of 4500 there
|
|
|
Post by 6for8 on Dec 11, 2010 19:20:05 GMT 10
if the only issue the ABL has in the future is fitting the fans in the venue... well... i guess some of the $800,000 dollars that would be raised from the ticket sales of a sold out season would buy a pretty nifty grandstand.
|
|
|
Post by bigal14 on Dec 13, 2010 15:12:53 GMT 10
This should be the home of the ACES
|
|
|
Post by Chardy on Dec 13, 2010 15:39:09 GMT 10
Countdown for someone to complain about the water which "should be fenced off so that kids don't drown in it" or "that water would be a haven for Mosquitos"
|
|
|
Post by Youngman92 on Dec 13, 2010 15:52:31 GMT 10
I enjoyed the feel of the showgrounds on the weekend, small and close to the action. My only question is. Can it be sustained as a long term option considering the Aces aren't the only tenants. Would it be on Baseball Victoria or the ABL's radar to build a new 'Altona' somewhere more central eg: Albert Park or Gosch's Paddock, so we have an exclusive home for the Aces and a new state centre for Victorian baseball that we can be proud of.
|
|
|
Post by bigal14 on Dec 17, 2010 8:17:29 GMT 10
Countdown for someone to complain about the water which "should be fenced off so that kids don't drown in it" or "that water would be a haven for Mosquitos" Ill get you a bottle of aeroguard for your mozzi's if we could have a haeven like that park.
|
|
|
Post by stockley on Dec 17, 2010 8:34:43 GMT 10
I enjoyed the feel of the showgrounds on the weekend, small and close to the action. My only question is. Can it be sustained as a long term option considering the Aces aren't the only tenants. Would it be on Baseball Victoria or the ABL's radar to build a new 'Altona' somewhere more central eg: Albert Park or Gosch's Paddock, so we have an exclusive home for the Aces and a new state centre for Victorian baseball that we can be proud of. That topic has been talked about in the past. It all comes down to 2 simple things. Money and land. There is no land available to build a baseball stadium. There is no money to build a stadium. We are a minority sport, and we're not going to be given things like a centralised Altona until we can prove that we deserve it.
|
|
|
Post by bigal14 on Dec 17, 2010 8:58:19 GMT 10
I enjoyed the feel of the showgrounds on the weekend, small and close to the action. My only question is. Can it be sustained as a long term option considering the Aces aren't the only tenants. Would it be on Baseball Victoria or the ABL's radar to build a new 'Altona' somewhere more central eg: Albert Park or Gosch's Paddock, so we have an exclusive home for the Aces and a new state centre for Victorian baseball that we can be proud of. That topic has been talked about in the past. It all comes down to 2 simple things. Money and land. There is no land available to build a baseball stadium. There is no money to build a stadium. We are a minority sport, and we're not going to be given things like a centralised Altona until we can prove that we deserve it. Take it out of the crap that was spent on Myki - I guarantee there will be plenty of change ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by wyatt33 on Dec 17, 2010 11:20:28 GMT 10
Gosch's paddock is getting handed to collingwood I think, and I'm sure there's nit much land avail at Albert park. My idea is what about at the state netball and hockey center. The infrastucture is there(power water carparks etc) building a 5000-8000 seat stadium would create another world class fascility for the greatest city on the world, and it's even more central than the showgrounds, and has okay access to citylink and a tram line. How much would it cost? Probably talking 5 to 10 million. With the sale of altona surely that money can go back into a new ground. Might only be 1 .5 mil but it's a good start. Plus we could sell tickets to watch altona being destroyed. Like that time they scuttled that ship in Perth a few years back. Or that Canberra childrens hospital!
|
|
|
Post by perfeckt on Dec 17, 2010 20:19:11 GMT 10
I see today that AFL's Bombers are on the move. Not ideal location but still suitable space and facility.
|
|
GMBC17
Junior Member
Posts: 17
|
Post by GMBC17 on Dec 21, 2010 21:47:01 GMT 10
We are a minority sport, and we're not going to be given things like a centralised Altona until we can prove that we deserve it. whats the latest on the new stadium that was meant to be built at doncaster? is it sill going ahead? wasnt it meant to be the new altona/geelong for the metro area?
|
|
|
Post by Chilli Wil on Dec 21, 2010 22:11:50 GMT 10
From what I last heard, the council has provided the land, and that is about all they can afford (or are willing) to contribute. Considering the land values out that way, fair enough!!
Needs some combo of BV/State/Federal funding to actually build the stadium. At least, that is what I heard last.
|
|
|
Post by the_snail on Dec 21, 2010 22:19:47 GMT 10
We are a minority sport, and we're not going to be given things like a centralised Altona until we can prove that we deserve it. whats the latest on the new stadium that was meant to be built at doncaster? is it sill going ahead? wasnt it meant to be the new altona/geelong for the metro area? Last I heard, still going ahead, plans have been drafted, but whether they're finalised and approved I'm not sure...
|
|
|
Post by deadfish on Dec 22, 2010 7:35:08 GMT 10
We are a minority sport, and we're not going to be given things like a centralised Altona until we can prove that we deserve it. whats the latest on the new stadium that was meant to be built at doncaster? is it sill going ahead? wasnt it meant to be the new altona/geelong for the metro area? I wouldn't have thought of Doncaster as a "centralised Altona". It's not much closer than Laverton to the CBD. If the Showgrounds isn't a long term proposition, I don't like Doncaster as an alternative.
|
|
GMBC17
Junior Member
Posts: 17
|
Post by GMBC17 on Dec 22, 2010 8:35:46 GMT 10
I wouldn't have thought of Doncaster as a "centralised Altona". It's not much closer than Laverton to the CBD. If the Showgrounds isn't a long term proposition, I don't like Doncaster as an alternative. your right, in terms of melbourne as a whole its not more centralized but in terms of baseball in victoria and where clubs are geographically located its a lot more practical and not located in the middle of nowhere. im having a complete stab in the dark here so please correct me if im wrong but wouldnt there be a lot more clubs east of melbourne rather than west (if you split it down the middle with the cbd as the centre point)? with eastlink now travelling in the east is a breeze (no pun intended) but travelling to the west on the westgate or the ring road is like pulling teeth
|
|
|
Post by the_snail on Dec 22, 2010 9:26:16 GMT 10
I wouldn't have thought of Doncaster as a "centralised Altona". It's not much closer than Laverton to the CBD. If the Showgrounds isn't a long term proposition, I don't like Doncaster as an alternative. your right, in terms of melbourne as a whole its not more centralized but in terms of baseball in victoria and where clubs are geographically located its a lot more practical and not located in the middle of nowhere. im having a complete stab in the dark here so please correct me if im wrong but wouldnt there be a lot more clubs east of melbourne rather than west (if you split it down the middle with the cbd as the centre point)? with eastlink now travelling in the east is a breeze (no pun intended) but travelling to the west on the westgate or the ring road is like pulling teeth I'd say your right, i think the thought with doncaster is that its on the city end of eastlink so it's sort of part way between the east and the west... i think the main reason for this push is because the council seems to want these grounds to go ahead... why not try and make it as big as possible
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Dec 22, 2010 9:29:47 GMT 10
I think it would be a big step forward. Get that done, and further develop Dandenong and the mid-weekers will become much easier to schedule! Although that is getting away from the ABL focus of this thread.
|
|
|
Post by stuartcapel on Dec 22, 2010 11:29:49 GMT 10
What's the train and tram service like out Doncaster way?
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Dec 22, 2010 11:57:09 GMT 10
Stu, the public transport issue is important - but in the old ABL at waverley, crowd numbers weren't too bad were they?!? Waverley Park had no trains, no trams.
Linton St Moorabbin maybe?!
|
|
|
Post by stuartcapel on Dec 22, 2010 12:47:55 GMT 10
Ace,
With the wife at work yesterday, to ensure we didn't have to take two cars and pay two lots of parking, I caught public transport.
Now, it was very helpful to be doing so in a peek hour situation, to have a bus stop right outside my front door and a tram line that could drop me 150 meters from the gate at The Show, however that still took an hour 45 minutes. And there was little waiting for PT to arrive as I could walk out the front when the bus was coming down the street, essentially walked onto a train at Mordialloc, switched to a Cragieburn train at Flinders Street (after being treated to Whitey on his gee-tar from Highett to Flinders St - seriously, an awesome ride) which took less than five minutes train to train, and then once at Newmarket, about a 7-8 minute wait for a tram.
Keep in mind that's at peek hour.
Now, if we are still demanding Thursday & Friday's at 7.30 and a Saturday double header with a late game, and we go until past 10.30, that AT BEST gets someone like me home at 12.15 in absolutely perfect conditions, and at that time of night, no way would I be that quick. It would be closer to, and in some cases AFTER 1am when travelling on a train line that has had some violent incidents on it in 2010. Would I wish to do this? No.
Overall, it won't worry me as I will drive or get a lift to most games, but for those who can't drive for whatever reason, to put something where there's insufficient PT, we are essentially disqualifying them from attending.
|
|
|
Post by outsider on Dec 22, 2010 12:52:13 GMT 10
I reckon we stick with the showgrounds its close enough to the city, public transport whilst not fantastic is OK, remaining there provides some stability to the sport (see basketball for how much this can hurt a minority sport).
And if seating numbers becomes an issue (I certainly hope it does), sure some more behind left field but what about with some more time up their sleeves changing the structure of and getting some on top of the 'blue monster' in right field. That would make Melbourne one of the most imposing ball parks in the land, with parochial fans surrounding the field.
That would make Melbourne a tough place for visitors with no where to hide.
|
|
GMBC17
Junior Member
Posts: 17
|
Post by GMBC17 on Dec 22, 2010 13:04:59 GMT 10
the showgrounds is a good place to go to watch a game they just need to attend to the food and bar. having 1 area with minimal space for drinking alcohol is not ideal and if numbers grow (as they will now due to better weather alone) it will quickly become insufficient.
its also a rip off! reminds of the afl and telstra dome off the top of my head. rubbish food charged at high prices, alcohol charged at night club prices and (from what ive heard) the profits not even going back to the abl...its insane
|
|
|
Post by Marshy on Dec 22, 2010 13:17:23 GMT 10
I live in Doncaster.
Buses run from the city, along the Eastern Fwy directly to the ground (or there abouts) regularly.
You can also catch the train to Box Hill then a bus from there. It's pretty quick.
Stu, excluding you, how many people would REALLY consider "lack of public transport" as a show stopper?
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Dec 22, 2010 13:19:22 GMT 10
the showgrounds is a good place to go to watch a game they just need to attend to the food and bar. having 1 area with minimal space for drinking alcohol is not ideal and if numbers grow (as they will now due to better weather alone) it will quickly become insufficient. its also a rip off! reminds of the afl and telstra dome off the top of my head. rubbish food charged at high prices, alcohol charged at night club prices and (from what ive heard) the profits not even going back to the abl...its insane I hear ya!!
|
|
|
Post by stuartcapel on Dec 22, 2010 13:28:59 GMT 10
I live in Doncaster. Buses run from the city, along the Eastern Fwy directly to the ground (or there abouts) regularly. You can also catch the train to Box Hill then a bus from there. It's pretty quick. Stu, excluding you, how many people would REALLY consider "lack of public transport" as a show stopper? No idea, but currently crowds aren't very big, yet the product is winning and there's very little in life that's better than a day at the ball park, so perhaps even now it is an issue for some?
|
|
|
Post by stuartcapel on Dec 22, 2010 13:30:16 GMT 10
the showgrounds is a good place to go to watch a game they just need to attend to the food and bar. having 1 area with minimal space for drinking alcohol is not ideal and if numbers grow (as they will now due to better weather alone) it will quickly become insufficient. its also a rip off! reminds of the afl and telstra dome off the top of my head. rubbish food charged at high prices, alcohol charged at night club prices and (from what ive heard) the profits not even going back to the abl...its insane Let's hope they find the key to the toilets near the bar which I hear as been 'lost'.
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Dec 22, 2010 13:34:48 GMT 10
I live in Doncaster. Buses run from the city, along the Eastern Fwy directly to the ground (or there abouts) regularly. You can also catch the train to Box Hill then a bus from there. It's pretty quick. Stu, excluding you, how many people would REALLY consider "lack of public transport" as a show stopper? No idea, but currently crowds aren't very big, yet the product is winning and there's very little in life that's better than a day at the ball park, so perhaps even now it is an issue for some? Lets see how the numbers go with good weather. I was going to go a couple of times, but the weather interferred. This evening is the first time I have nothing on...and to that point at first I thought it was silly having mid-week games. But, tonight will be a good indication if it could work, given the weather and 2 games being played with a bit of notice and school holidays. Pretty much the ideal circumstance I suppose, short of being in the first 2 weeks of January.
|
|
GMBC17
Junior Member
Posts: 17
|
Post by GMBC17 on Dec 22, 2010 13:44:29 GMT 10
Let's hope they find the key to the toilets near the bar which I hear as been 'lost'. on that note, yeh pretty crazy the toilets are on the opposite side of the field from the bar but also last time i went 3 of the 4 entrances to the toilets were female. lets get serious, are they expecting the crowd to be 75% female
|
|
GMBC17
Junior Member
Posts: 17
|
Post by GMBC17 on Dec 22, 2010 13:54:43 GMT 10
we also had the issue at a double header where they called last drinks at 945pm. if it turned out to be on a night like when the game went extras then thats a long time between drinks.
|
|