Radical roof plea for Suncorp Stadium as NRL Magic Round test awaits
Rain is threatening to disrupt this week’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium but it wouldn’t matter in future years if a leading powerbroker gets his way.
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As Suncorp Stadium faces the threat of a rain-marred Magic Round, a leading rugby league administrator has started a push to put a roof on the iconic venue.
Suncorp Stadium has been nominated by the Queensland Government as the preferred host of the 2032 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies which would see the venue renovated and expanded.
Long-serving QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher, a key figure in the last major upgrade to Suncorp, believes the next renovation should include a roof which would insulate it from the threat of Brisbane’s volatile weather.
“We are becoming a genuine international city and if you are going to host international events you have to have the facilities,’’ Hatcher told this masthead.
“Brisbane should have an arena like Suncorp which has a roof on it. It is worth the investment long term. If you have an international event which is impacted by weather it never reaches great heights.
“There’s event like concerts and boxing matches which you want to be able to hold at any time of the year.
“It would help attract more big events and once you have a roof you would attract a lot of minor sports who could use it as well.
“The renovation of the ground for the Olympics is a great opportunity for Brisbane to do something special.
“It would be perfect for the Olympics. My view is that it is a public asset. There is a lot of history there and it is close to the city. A capacity of around 65,000 (currently 53,000) would be good.’’
The frequently-used Suncorp Stadium surface will face its biggest week of the year this week as it hosts the women’s State of Origin match on Thursday before the eight NRL fixtures which make up Magic Round.
Rain is forecast for Thursday, Friday and Saturday which could make things challenging for grounds staff.
Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium is the only major football stadium in Australia with a roof but the plan for Tasmania’s new AFL team is to have a stadium with a retractable roof.
The venue for the Olympic opening ceremony will be decided after October’s State election.
Both major parties have delayed making a final call until after the election after realising that the issue is so divisive that a strong call either way could cost them the election.
Suncorp has become the “last man standing’’ after both parties ruled out a major redevelopment of the Gabba or a new stadium at Victoria Park.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett is a strong supporter of Suncorp hosting the Olympic opening ceremony.
“The important thing about a Suncorp redevelopment is that the benefits of it not just help rugby league but many other sports and even areas beyond sport,’’ Bennett told this masthead.
“This could be a great opportunity. There’s soccer and rugby union to be considered and it’s a bigger venue for concerts.
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