Barry Maranta says Olympics could learn from big Broncos call on stadium

The Broncos happily called QSAC Stadium home for a decade but the man behind the move has a different view on the Olympics.

THE Broncos godfather who led the club’s stampede to QSAC Stadium three decades ago believes Brisbane cannot return there for the 2032 Olympics.

Foundation Broncos owner Barry Maranta says the venue known as QEII Stadium (now QSAC) which was the Broncos home base between 1993-2003 should not be the main venue for the 2032 Olympics as proposed by the Labor Government.

And nor, according to Maranta, should it be the “choked’’ Gabba which appears to be the favoured choice of the seemingly soon-to-be-elected LNP.

Maranta believes the proposed super stadium at Victoria Park is a possibility or any potential start-from-scratch site which has space and rail connections close by.

“Even though it was great for us you couldn’t go back there (to QSAC) for the Games – you have to think ahead,’’ Maranta said of the stadium which would be renovated into a relatively small 40,000 seat venue under current plans.

“Your main stadium is your pride and joy. It is going to be an awkward time if we don’t pull our finger out.

“And the problem with the Gabba is has no space around it on any side. They had to cantilever over Vulture Street. You go to Lord’s cricket ground in London or The Oval and they don’t have a stadium overhanging the street. It doesn’t look good.

“I don’t know how the Lions survive there. It looks choked.’’

The Queensland government-planned home of the 2032 Olympics at QSAC. Picture: Stephen Archer

Maranta believes decision makers, poised to be at the mercy of a 100-day stadium review if, expected, the LNP wins this month’s state election, can learn from the Broncos bold and swift decision to leave an ageing Lang Park (now Suncorp Stadium) for a decade in 1993.

“When we realised Lang Park (now Suncorp Stadium) was not right for us we made the hard decision to get out. You can either sit around and talk about it or make the tough call and do something. You just have to make decisions. We went to QEII and never looked back. We got up to 55,000 people there.

“You need to work back from the basic requirements crowds demand of a modern venue and the serious architects, for which Brisbane is blessed, will do the rest.

“If you have transport and space you can do anything. A city like Brisbane should have the space and our venue architects will incorporate the mod cons of modern stadiums.

“Sadly, many of our decision-makers have never actually graced a top-class stadium, let alone know their functionalities.

“I have been following American football for 30 years and most of the stadiums have space around them.

“A lot of the ones I have been to like the Mile High Stadium (in Denver) have a lot of space around them. We are blessed with land and space in Brisbane. Someone has to make a decision.’’

Originally published as Barry Maranta says Olympics could learn from big Broncos call on stadium