Ausgrid Oval?

jamesgould

jamesgould

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Staff member
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http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/cricket/hsg-keen-for-a-bash/2419634.aspx?storypage=0

So a few people are trying to get a Big Bash side in Newcastle ... unfortunately there's no appropriate ground ... and their talking altering Ausgrid to make it possible.

This should be an absolute no-no in my opinion. We've finally got a RECTANGULAR groud that the region has deserved for years, that can be used for league and soccer ... why would you want to tamper with that and ruin the view for those sports?

Cricket needs it own ground. End of.
 
I don't think it's possible, but really the state government has spent 100 million + on Ausgrid, and if they can find a way to make money from it they should.

It would be nice to find 10s of millions to do up number one sportsground, which is a beautiful ground with a million times more character than Ausgrid and a spectacular location, but realistically we have seen all the state government money for sports facilities we are going to see for a while.
 
I would love to be able to walk down the road and see the likes of Gayle and Warner smashing it around Ausgrid and i dont see why putting temporary seating in to accomodate is a problem.
 
Billy said:
I don't think it's possible, but really the state government has spent 100 million + on Ausgrid, and if they can find a way to make money from it they should.

It would be nice to find 10s of millions to do up number one sportsground, which is a beautiful ground with a million times more character than Ausgrid and a spectacular location, but realistically we have seen all the state government money for sports facilities we are going to see for a while.
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Well retractable seats would not be possible, that would cost millions. I suppose to give them five metres more room on the field they would have to move one of the stands back five metres ... which is pretty close to impossible too, without a lot of money.

I think the sportsground has to be the answer.
 
Maybe Harker Oval could be something that could be developed by a consortium of Wests, HSG and government money.
You could use the existing parking at Ausgrid and Wests Leagues and Wests could use the ground for their team, as they do now.
The current stand is so run down you have to worry about the roof falling down when you go there and it's across the road from Wests Leagues.
I imagine if it was built to include function centres for Wests and gyms etc for HSG you could develop a decent commercial plan - throw in a multi story hotel and some retail outlets.
Maybe it wouldn't cost too much that way.
 
Billy said:
Maybe Harker Oval could be something that could be developed by a consortium of Wests, HSG and government money.
You could use the existing parking at Ausgrid and Wests Leagues and Wests could use the ground for their team, as they do now.
The current stand is so run down you have to worry about the roof falling down when you go there and it's across the road from Wests Leagues.
I imagine if it was built to include function centres for Wests and gyms etc for HSG you could develop a decent commercial plan - throw in a multi story hotel and some retail outlets.
Maybe it wouldn't cost too much that way.
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thats a good idea make a sporting precinct
tinkler should build the NCG newcastle cricket ground (test matches could be played there ) and maybe get an afl side as well
 
They wouldn't be able to make Ausgrid suitable for Cricket without tearing up metres each side of the Eastern and Western grandstands which would cost tens of millions and negatively affect the 2 pro teams that actually play there. Be much cheaper and make more sense to upgrade No. 1 sportsground.

Newcastle will never have an GayFL side.
 
It would be an absolute fail if not enough people turned up, money gone down the drain just to make a new franchise. I'm happy with the Jets and Knights, atm we don't need a cricket team.
 
For starters they shouldn't expand the BBL but that's a discussion for another time. They are mad if they think Ausgrid could become a cricket ground!! No way is that going to happen. The only option is No. 1 Sportsground.
 
Yeah number 1 sportsground would be a good option, a little stroll from the nearest train station but not that far. Also near pubs & clubs so that's important too aswell as the cbd factor. However upgrading harker oval would be good too, would support that since its close to where I live. Also across the road from wests leagues club so that gives fans like myself somewhere to go and drink & socialize before & after matches :)

What they need to do is have a 20,000 capacity with at least half the ground seated & at least 5000 undercover seating with up to date toilet & food & beverage facilities...ohh & corporate boxes.
 
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Theknightsrule7 said:
Yeah number 1 sportsground would be a good option, a little stroll from the nearest train station but not that far. Also near pubs & clubs so that's important too aswell as the cbd factor. However upgrading harker oval would be good too, would support that since its close to where I live. Also across the road from wests leagues club so that gives fans like myself somewhere to go and drink & socialize before & after matches :)

What they need to do is have a 20,000 capacity with at least half the ground seated & at least 5000 undercover seating with up to date toilet & food & beverage facilities...ohh & corporate boxes.
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The WACA had 17k for the tests atm with India, and the crowrd looked massive. Something above 17k would be ideal and wouldn't cost near as much as upgrading Harker.
 
If they upgraded the No 1 Sportsground and provided the sufficient facilities aswell as an alright sized modern grandstand or two, I think that would be enough. Have the capacity between 13 - 16,000, similar to Bellerieve Oval or (Blundstone Arena) down in Tassy.
 
Yeah 13-1600k sounds about right. It's hard to see Harker or No. 1 SG being upgraded to 20k.
 
Why not have a team playing out of the stadium ,on the news they said it would be much cheaper to play there than no 1 sports ground and that removable seats and fencing wouldnt be that expensive when they only have to gain 2 1/2 mtrs each side and only about 20 mtrs long on each side . Tinkler said he wanted all sports under the 1 banner why not a cricket team as well and the big bash is good to watch its obviously possible or they wouldnt have come up with it .Its not just the ground and stands at no1 that need refurbishing you have to have a big screen for replays as well ......Also it would help pay the rent . I would love to take my kids to a big bash game without having to go to Sydney.
 
laney said:
Why not have a team playing out of the stadium ,on the news they said it would be much cheaper to play there than no 1 sports ground and that removable seats and fencing wouldnt be that expensive when they only have to gain 2 1/2 mtrs each side and only about 20 mtrs long on each side . Tinkler said he wanted all sports under the 1 banner why not a cricket team as well and the big bash is good to watch its obviously possible or they wouldnt have come up with it .Its not just the ground and stands at no1 that need refurbishing you have to have a big screen for replays as well ......Also it would help pay the rent . I would love to take my kids to a big bash game without having to go to Sydney.
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Expect massive protests if they touch ausgrid stadium with this proposal. We have just spent alot of money upgrading it, it would ruin the pitch & would cause more injury problems. Plus it would unsettle spectator viewing.
 
I just thought. How would they put down a cricket pitch when the Jets play there as well? This puts Ausgrid completely out of the question
 
Joel said:
I just thought. How would they put down a cricket pitch when the Jets play there as well? This puts Ausgrid completely out of the question
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This is a problem in NZ with rugby union converging with the end of the cricket season, these days (and lots of multipurpose grounds in NZ). It is possible to have a drop-in pitch either put in or removed within a 24 hour timeframe.

---------- Post added at 08:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------

In fact at Eden Park there's going to be a double-header early this year with the Warriors playing on one day of the weekend and an NZ vs South Africa one-dayer on the other.
 
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