40k Proposal for Punt Road

Austadiums • Sunday 20th March 2016
Punt Road Oval redevelopment

Richmond has proposed a new 40,000-seat stadium as an alternate third Melbourne AFL venue in the wake of Eddie McGuire’s recent stadium proposal.

The plans are an up-sized version of the 18,000-seat stadium proposed by the AFL back in 2013 at the Punt Road headquarters of the Tigers.

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale told SEN radio on Friday morning that Richmond would not have considered playing at Punt Rd under the 2013 plans, but would do so if a 40,000-seat stadium were built.

"With the last few weeks [a Punt Rd redevelopment] has been put back on the agenda by Eddie principally, which I think is great," Gale said.

"We've said we've got to put this back on the agenda and explore the possibility of a larger venue.

"If that was the case, then we'd be very much in the frame (to play games there)."

Eddie McGuire proposed a new 60,000-seat stadium be built next to the MCG and that Etihad Stadium be demolished. The Punt Road proposal means the Docklands venue would stay.

The AFL will take ownership of Etihad Stadium in 10 years’ time, or sooner if the league decided to buy it early, and is expected to be $1 billion asset. AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has stated Etihad it a great asset but requires an upgrade.

There has been on and off talk about the need of having a smaller boutique venue to compliment the 100,000-seat MCG and 55,000-seat Etihad Stadium. Princes (Ikon) Park in Carlton was the last suburban venue however the lack of public transport proved a downfall for the then 30,000-capacity ground. Punt Road Oval last hosted Richmond matches in 1964 before they moved to the MCG.

The Punt Road Oval master plan also features a fan zone area between it and the MCG as well as a Richmond Station redevelopment. In 2013, the cost of an 18,000-seat stadium was put at $180 million. The new plans are set to cost a further $200 million.

Punt Road Oval

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Richmond has proposed a new 40,000-seat stadium as an alternate third Melbourne AFL venue in the wake of Eddie McGuire's recent stadium proposal.
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