The Gabba

[Sir Rols]

On 1/29/2023 at 1:04 AM, yoshi said:

Lol I know the Gabba is iconic - I can't deny that a small part of my thought that a bigger stadium could be better comes from a desire to turn the telly on one November evening in the 2030s to see Jimmy Anderson (let's be honest, it'll still be him) opening the bowling at the first Ashes Test in front of a wall of 80k baying Queenslanders  I guess though if you're haven't got a site like the Lea Valley near the middle crying out to be an Olympic complex, then a rebuild of something that's there makes sense. I'm also quite surprised that 50k is considered plenty for Brisbane, when you look at what other Aussie cities have. Might be a useful message to send for the IOC though, easier to find uses for 50k than 80.

Hmmm - so higher capacity is an option

[yoshi]

Oh, now that looks better, 65k is more like what you'd probably expect from an Olympic stadium in one of Australia's largest cities - is it feasible? Also is it in any way official as part of the feasibility studies or just the work of a (clearly very good) amateur designer?

[Brekkie Boy]

It's as if the plan really should be put together before the games are awarded.  Although the final plan is never the final plan at least an open bidding process enables alot of the issues to be raised before the games are awarded, even if they're not rectified.

 

As for the Gabba - as much as the games need scaling back a 50k Olympic Stadium is very much cut price - 65k sounds more reasonable, and it seems like Brisbane could probably sustain a 55k or so stadium post-games too.    Always though slightly an issue when you've an existing stadia in the city rather than the luxury of building a new one in the centre of the Olympic Park - kind of makes the venue feels a bit disconnected from the rest, but ultimately once the show gets going that doesn't matter hugely.

 

Still struggling to get excited for these games in the way as an innocent teenager I always knew Sydney would be a superb venue.   As much as the games needs to not limit itself to the big international cities when they're overlooking the biggest two cities in a country the size of Australia there is always going to be a danger they might end up being third rate.    I guess that's the point though - Brisbane wants to stand out internationally in the way Melbourne and Sydney do rather than be in their shadow so it'll be interesting to see whether these games achieve that long term or end up as a costly leaving present for Coates paid for by Queenslanders for generations.   At the moment though it's feeling a bit Atlanta-esque.

[AustralianFan]

This is just a good amateur designer.   Haven’t seen any sign of a shift to above a 50,000 capacity stadium as yet but its food for thought.

The Gabba Olympic Stadium design will go out to Tender . Among the strong applicants for that tender can expected to be internationally renowned venue design firm Populous  who opened their Asia Pacific headquarters in Brisbane in early 2021.

 

[AustralianFan]

8 hours ago, yoshi said:

Oh, now that looks better, 65k is more like what you'd probably expect from an Olympic stadium in one of Australia's largest cities - is it feasible? Also is it in any way official as part of the feasibility studies or just the work of a (clearly very good) amateur designer?

This is just a good amateur designer.   Haven’t seen any sign of a shift to above a 50,000 capacity stadium as yet but it’s food for thought.

The Gabba Olympic Stadium design will go out to Tender . Among the strong applicants for that tender can expected to be internationally renowned venue design firm Populous  who opened their Asia Pacific headquarters in Brisbane in early 2021

[baron-pierreIV]

So, Saudi Arabia will be financing Brisbane '32 from the Kaaba?  

[yoshi]

Shame it's not official, someone at BOCOG should really look into whether it's possible to make it a viable design. As Brekkie says I can't imagine they'd have any problems utilising it with 65k instead of 50. 

...also it's looking like having the best options come from completely unconnected people is something of a theme for 2032, between that B32 logo and this version of Gabba 

[Rob2012]

One point I'd overlooked about this is that the track will run east-west, which is different from the IAAF recommended north-south.

Of course, it's the perfect orientation for its main sport of cricket.

But all these little things which are now compromised on in the name of sustainability, reuse etc are interesting.

(On the flipside, London Stadium being built as a narrow-ovalled athletics stadium means it can't host cricket as the outfield isn't large enough E-W)

 

 

Edited February 18, 2023 by TheOtherRob

[Sir Rols]

5 hours ago, TheOtherRob said:

One point I'd overlooked about this is that the track will run east-west, which is different from the IAAF recommended north-south.

That’s the first I’ve ever heard of that requirement. Why north-south? What’s the reasoning? Does the earth’s magnetic field impact the running? I’m genuinely puzzled.

[Rob2012]

Sun direction and how it affects both athletes (sun in their eyes) and broadcasters (shadows on the field). Same with football stadiums.

The pitch itself in cricket is also n-s to avoid problems with setting sun for the bowlers/batters.

[Sir Rols]

3 minutes ago, TheOtherRob said:

Sun direction and how it affects both athletes (sun in their eyes) and broadcasters (shadows on the field). Same with football stadiums.

The pitch itself in cricket is also n-s to avoid problems with setting sun for the bowlers/batters.

Hmmmm. Thanks. Interesting, never knew that.

[yoshi]

I wouldn't want to be facing Jimmy Anderson at full pelt while also being dazzled by the light of the Sun 

[Gonzo]

10 hours ago, TheOtherRob said:

its main sport of cricket.

The Gabba's main sport these days (and the one that brings in most revenue) is Aussie Rules

[Sir Rols]

Anger at school closure to rebuild the Gabba for Brisbane 2032

Queensland State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been told that her Government's consultation process is a "sham and a farce" after announcing that a local school is to close to allow demolition and rebuilding of the Gabba for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"East Brisbane State School (EBSS) will not be able to continue at its current location beyond December 2025," a Government statement said.

"I always said we would carry out consultation with the school community as soon as we knew more about the impact of the Gabba redevelopment on the school," said State Education Minister Grace Grace. 

"There has been significant anxiety in the community about the fate of the school," Shadow Minister for Education Christian Rowan responded in a statement.

"The community has been demanding consultation since the Premier first made the announcement about the Gabba, however the Premier clearly revealed her Government has already made up their mind and the entire consultation process is nothing more than a show, a sham and a farce," he added.

"This is a fake consultation with the fate of the school already sealed."

… more at ITG

 

[Rob2012]

The Gabba got a mention on the radio this morning (30 mins)

https://player.fm/series/fighting-talk-1301417/eleanor-oldroyd-guvna-b-thom-gibbs-tez-ilyas?t=1800

 

[AustralianFan]

Gabba Rebuild Options Revealed

Credit: Courier Mail

—————————

From original post on skyscrapercity.com

[AustralianFan]

1 minute ago, AustralianFan said:

Gabba Rebuild Options Revealed

Credit: Courier Mail

—————————

From original post on skyscrapercity.com

From Nathandavid88 on skyscraper city.com:

“The article (Courier Mail) says that Option 1 was the chosen option, with all options designed by Populous.”

[Sir Rols]

A Senate inquiry now going on into the 2032 plans. Interesting piece here about the squabbles/negotiations going on behind the Gabba plan, and whether it actually is needed for he games at all:

Federal government rejected Queensland’s funding request for Gabba rebuild, inquiry told

[yoshi]

Surely the Gabba as it is is too small for an Olympic Stadium though. I thought the only argument was about which stadium gets the expansion, or whether a completely new one gets built, not whether they'll be able to get away with what they've already got...

[Australian Kiwi]

Yeah the Senate inquiry is heating up and now taking a bit of a torch to a lot of the assumptions underpinning Brisbane's 2032 bid. Interesting that it appears Canberra is doing the work Lausanne should have been doing themselves. Will be very interesting to see how this plays out - AOC pres now conceding a Gabba rebuild is not required for 2032 which contradicts what BOCOG and the Queensland Government have stated. 

[Australian Kiwi]

Also expect a much higher degree of federal scrutiny on 2032 compared to 2000. NSW taxpayers funding 95% of Sydney 2000 - Queensland is relying on the rest of Australia (a sweet 50% contribution) to fund its Olympics. 

[Victorian]

3 hours ago, Australian Kiwi said:

Yeah the Senate inquiry is heating up and now taking a bit of a torch to a lot of the assumptions underpinning Brisbane's 2032 bid. Interesting that it appears Canberra is doing the work Lausanne should have been doing themselves. Will be very interesting to see how this plays out - AOC pres now conceding a Gabba rebuild is not required for 2032 which contradicts what BOCOG and the Queensland Government have stated. 

If people dig a bit deeper, they will see what the AOC is saying that a Gabba rebuild is not required if it is only for the 2032 Olympics but because it will be mainly used by the AFL and cricket which requires an updated Gabba, the rebuild is justified.

[Australian Kiwi]

19 minutes ago, Victorian said:

If people dig a bit deeper, they will see what the AOC is saying that a Gabba rebuild is not required if it is only for the 2032 Olympics but because it will be mainly used by the AFL and cricket which requires an updated Gabba, the rebuild is justified.

Fully disagree. 

Are extensive renovations required? Yes. Is a complete rebuild of a stadium that was rebuilt as recently as 2005? No. Its an incredible waste of federal taxpayer money that could be better spent on other elements of the Games (including security which the feds will also be largely footing). 

If the AOC (and by extension IOC) is not putting this pressure on BOGOC/Qld Government, then it's clear it's their own vanity. We've learned from Vic 26 that State Governments can and do mould business cases / options analysis to fit their own agenda and its kind of becoming clear that that is the case here too.

Also, the AFL has nothing to do with it whatsoever - it's a home ground of a single team. 

[Australian Kiwi]

Also for the IOC and their "new norm" -- "Yes! In Brisbane we supported the tear down of a 20-year-old stadium that could have been refurbished and replaced with a multi billion dollar new stadium". 

Lets be real, Brisbane could not have afforded to do any of this at this scale if it were not underpinned by 50% infrastructure contribution from the federal government. Very few --- if any --- other cities in the world of its size would have access to that kind of financial underwriting (meaning that it won't help the Olympic Movements bigger issues around attracting viable / sustainable hosts). 

[AustralianFan]

1 hour ago, Australian Kiwi said:

 

Also, the AFL has nothing to do with it whatsoever - it's a home ground of a single team. 

Incorrect.

The current and legacy users of the Gabba/Olympic Stadium are:

• AFL
• AFLW
• Test Cricket
• Sheffield Shield Cricket
• Big Bash League
• Women’s Big Bash League
• Mega Outdoor Events: eg concerts, of the ‘Adele’ scale

Player’s/Athletes Facilities are Run-down

The Gabba has undergone some renovations yes, as do aging stadiums from time to time, but the conditions of the changing rooms and facilities for athletes, players, etc are old, sub-standard and an embarrassment and well known.

Dimensions

The Gabba will not fit required IAF athletics track etc  right now so would require infringement into the current permanent seating area to accommodate.

Mass People Movement

By 2025, Gabba will have it in spades with completion and opening of the Cross River Rail, no question:

• Underground train station at it’s door step
• Brisbane Metro Network connected - long articulated light tram style vehicles on rubber wheels
• Suburban Buses
• Well connected pedestrian access to South Bank, Brisbane CBD, Queen’s Wharf

Location

The Gabba Olympic Stadium is in a prime central location, well connected by public transport and pedestrian access to other Olympic Venues in South Bank and Brisbane, MPC, IBC.

Funding

The Stadium rebuild project is funded and going ahead. 

The stadium rebuild is happening and thank goodness the current and legacy users as well as athletes, spectators, officials and the media  of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will have a excellent standard facilities in a new high-tech stadium, which the current old dog, the Gabba is sadly lacking.