Dr.SHERRIN wrote:
TruBlueBrad wrote:
The chances of playing AFL football there again ended when we started the re-development.
The only way it could work is if North had a massive falling out with both Etihad and AFL and a scheduled 'Dome' game against a Freo was shifted to Visy. Of course for this to happen, Visy would still need $20 million to lift it to an acceptable standard.
For Carlton to play regular season matches there is a lost battle, however there's no reason why more NAB Cup, VFL reserves and TAC Cup games cannot be played there if the facilities are up to scratch. Getting a viable 3rd venue up to scratch as quickly as possible benefits everyone - but as already stated, there are many reasons as to why any private investment would stay well clear for now.
Meanwhile, Geelong hope Abbott can form government because he's promised $36 million to Kardinia Park (should we get the World Cup)...and the Kangaroos hope Gillard gets the nod as she's promised them a swag of cash for ground development which includes
new interchange benches, goal posts, fences and seating, as well as new boxes for timekeepers, coaches, and scorers.Did she think the 'Kangaroos' play matches there? I shook my head in disbelief when I read that - but my bigger concern was the fact that Carlton didn't have a word to either party about some federal funding for a proposed upgrade to bring Visy Park up to AFL standard. It goes to show you that whilst we think the men in suits on the Carlton board run Carlton, it's the men in suits at AFL House who control the Blues.
Hi Doc ! It seems to me that if we control our ground, we control our destiny.
I think it is entirely feasible for Carlton to play regular AFL home and away games at Princes Park (say Carlton v Gold Coast), provided that the development is right. For example, the existing Visy headquarters could be accomodated easily by modifying and integrating that building under a substantial grandstand that would overlay. Just a thought.
I consider that $20 million is not a prohibitive investment, considering that (1) the Federal Government is proposing to contribute $36 million of taxpayers funds for Geelong's ground and (2) If the commercial broadcast rights from the ground are captured and valued correctly by Carlton.