What you said about new Macquarie Point stadium designs

A timber roof has been pitched for a new Hobart stadium and it’s receiving mixed reviews. HAVE YOUR SAY.

Renders of Macquarie Point stadium. Picture: Cox Architecture.

The long awaited designs of the proposed new AFL stadium at Macquarie Point were revealed on Sunday morning.

The feature of the unique concept designed by Australian firm Cox Architecture was “the largest timber roofed stadium in the world.

The experienced designers, who have been involved in Australia’s last four major oval stadiums, dropped the first glimpses of the plan eight weeks after being awarded the $37.9m lead architect contract.

Sport and Events Minister Nic Street said it would be a welcoming, functional and uniquely Tasmanian multipurpose stadium.

“While developing this stadium is an important step in realising our dream of seeing our own AFL and AFLW teams running out on our own field, this facility will offer so much more,” Mr Street said.

A new Hobart stadium has been a boiling point in Tasmanian politics, with both major parties taking different platforms to the polls earlier this year.

The losing Labor Party changed its stance after Dean Winter took over the leadership, and now both major parties support a newly built AFL stadium at Macquarie Point.

The Greens and Jacqui Lambie Network MPs maintain their position against building the infrastructure.

The state government has capped its expenditure on the stadium at $375m, while the federal government has promised $240m for the Macquarie Point precinct.

Meanwhile, a second option has also been table by the Stadia Precinct Consortia, led by former premier Paul Lennon, at the regatta grounds.

See what you had to say and join the conversation >>>

Renders of Macquarie Point stadium. Picture: Cox Architecture.

WHAT YOU SAID

Being made of timber, should last ten years before it starts to fall apart! Is that laser lite too?

Stephen

Does the roof open? This design and use of timber is beautiful but.....getting workmanship to undertake the curves of each of the pieces of the timber will be very costly and take many many hours.. ..the budget...????

Jeanette

Looks amazing and will be an amazing investment for our state!

Nick

If you look really closely, in the stand at the back, you can see a tiny plaque saying “the last remaining brick of the goods shed is under here”

Tony

A timber roof is the best they can do?

Max

Will the roof be permanently closed. I would have thought on nice days it should be open to not only provide fresh air but allow the game to be played as an outdoor game which it is.

Gerard

Oh, ..... it didn’t turn out looking like a giant water tank. What a surprise!

Jon

Alastair Richardson director Cox Architecture, Stuart Harper director Cox Architecture, Anne Beach CEO Macquarie Point Development Corporation, Peter Walker director Cumulus Studio. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

What could go wrong with such a design?

Amanda

For anyone concerned about the natural environment, the Mac 1 stadium would be built on a previous industrial site now being rehabilitated. On the other hand, Mac 2 would require claiming 200-200m of natural Derwent River shore and underwater environment. Has there been an environmental impact study done on this area?

John

To quote the “guru”, “the stadium is dead and buried” LOL. Another “prediction” bites the dust.

Tess

With a closed roof the sound quality for concerts is likely to be rubbish I’m afraid.

Paul

Hmm, let me see.... just locally, the Dec. In Melbourne there is Rod Laver Arena and the Docklands stadium... all with a closed roof, all have concerts, all sound good.

Col

And where is the timber coming from or is there already a deal done here that we don’t know about

Charlie

Wow. This is better than we could have hoped for. Keep up the great work

Robert

How does this look from the Sullivan cove, I must admit I do prefer Mac 2 option it’s a bit like Adelaide oval and offers more to the life of Hobart when the stadium is not in use

Rohan

Cox are excellent Architects. I just want to see the engineering on that roof

Matthew

Renders of Macquarie Point stadium. Picture: Cox Architecture.

Fantastic – Please proceed

Robert

I have accepted that they will build the stadium come hell or high water. My only desperate hope is that it does not explode cost wise and delivers all the prosperity and productivity that has been promised. I can’t see much on how the rest of the site will be delivered and that is a condition of federal spending. Just a pity that everyone who wants this stadium has made the process so extremely poisonous and have tried to wedge others. Sad, very sad.

William

Shadow lines from the roof across the playing field?

Steve

But we have been told, relentlessly, by opponents that it will be a huge concrete edifice.

Roger

Is this design practical? Due to the fact that it doesn’t have a retracting roof, there needs to be some major mechanical way of cooling it inside. Suitable for winter use only as shown. Nothing more than a hot house!

Steve

The roof kind of reminds me of the Chadston shopping mall roof in Melbourne.

Jay

Beautiful

Alex

That is ridiculous

Jan

The use of timber in the roof and raw materials means the structure looks like no other in Australia and is easily identified as Tasmanian.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania - Amy Hills

Originally published as What you said about new Macquarie Point stadium designs