The location of the athletics track for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics is ever more important considering the recent resurgence in support for running.
For example, the Maurie Plant Meet this weekend in Melbourne is one of the most anticipated in ages. 2000 and Sydney had Cathy Freeman. 2032 will be the same. Gout Gout will be there… and so will Sam Ruthe.
Suddenly it’s actually important where we have the stadium because we’re in with a huge chance of athletics medals. Victoria Park looks good.
I watched Sam Ruthe break the 4 minute mile live the other night. This is huge. I went to school where the centrepiece was an oak tree, a sapling of which was presented to Jack Lovelock after winning gold in the 1500m at the 1936 Olympics. Then we had Peter Snell, Murray Halberg and of course, John Walker. Middle distance running for Kiwis has a storied history.
Sam Ruthe will be there at Victoria Park in 2032 and I’ll be there cheering him on.
In a letter to the Tasmanian government, obtained by the ABC, Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia raised “significant concerns” about the effects of shadows cast by the roof’s supporting structure over the centre wicket, and their ability to stage fixtures at the venue.
“We are of the view the current roof design will mean the stadium is unlikely to be conducive to hosting test matches and could also be challenged in hosting One Day (50 over) and T20 (20 over) fixtures,” the letter reads.
"This is not an outcome that either CA (Cricket Australia) or CT (Cricket Tasmania) wants, and CT will be strongly challenged by its members to advocate for an alternate solution.
“For this reason, we would like to discuss with you what opportunity there is to consider a stadium design option that does not have a roof, or that has an operable roof.”
Realising that although it’s design is primarily about AFL & funding is also coming from the AFL, I still find it difficult to believe that CA or CT were not consulted in the initial design/planing stages of this so called ‘multi purpose’ stadium.
The AFL is refusing to budge on its demands for a stadium in Tasmania, despite formal opposition from Cricket Australia and Tasmania.
AFL says if there is no roof there is no team.
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The AFL is refusing to budge on its demands for a stadium in Tasmania, despite formal opposition from Cricket Australia and Tasmania. @tommorris32#9Newspic.twitter.com/QTHUffXrYt
A fixed roof stadium is a bit different than the specific design proposed here. The wooden slat design certainly looks like it would cast horrible shadows, to the point you’d need artificial light inside all the time to correct for that.
The problem is if you build it and in practice it’s bad, then it’s not possible to undo.
There’s no way you can keep Bellerive up to test standard long term if it’s not hosting events year round.
My prediction would be the roof will end up being translucent rather than transparent to avoid the harsh shadows (also keeps the place cooler in summer).
Similar to what happened at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas (but that was more for temperature control).
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Real life
Lights will probably end up being on for everything, but that’s not that unusual these days, all test/shield cricket would be played with a pink ball, footy with a yellow ball.
A Tasmanian Planning Commission panel has released a scathing draft report that slams the proposed Macquarie Point stadium on economic, planning and social grounds.
It describes the roofed stadium as “overbearing”, that it risks Tasmania’s credit rating, has minimal social and community benefits, and does not serve a purpose as an urban renewal project.
This masthead has obtained artist impressions of the $40 million redevelopment of the suburban ground, which includes a new grandstand on the northern hill and a significant renovation of the western grandstand.
The project is expected to begin at the end of the 2026 season, with plans for the Tigers to return to the upgraded Leichhardt at the beginning of the 2028 campaign.
Why are they even bothering. Leichhardt has had its day. It’s in a shit location, poorly covered by public transport, bugger all parking. Turn the land into well maintained units for essential workers.
Just move the Tigers to Campbelltown full time and call them the Magpies. Wests own 90%, may as well just do it.
