MCC boss Stephen Gough proposes massive revamp of Melbourne’s sporting precinct, including a retractable roof on the MCG
A ROOF could be built over the MCG to weatherproof Australia’s greatest stadium in one of the biggest stadiums redevelopments ever attempted in world sport. HAVE YOUR SAY
Future Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Future Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Future Melbourne: What’s it all about?
- Why Melbourne is still the most liveable city in the world
- In which direction will Melbourne grow?
- What’s planned for Melbourne’s CBD of the future
- New suburbs to grow from Melbourne’s industry ashes
A ROOF could be built over the MCG to weatherproof Australia’s greatest stadium in one of the biggest stadiums redevelopments ever attempted in world sport.
MCC boss Stephen Gough has proposed installing a lightweight retractable roof over the MCG and believes the technology required to complete the major project was ready to roll.
“I think technology is on our side here and the engineers are working on all sorts of solutions about that,” he said. “And that would be something the MCC would have to look at. Do we want a covered roof and should it be retractable because we go back to those great sunny days for a big open air stadium?”
Such a plan is likely to divide sports fans who believe the stadium’s open structure is sacrosanct and others who see it as an obvious advantage.
Soccer giant Real Madrid has approved a €400 million retractable roof for its Santiago Bernabeu headquarters with construction to commence next year.
Mr Gough said the MCG needed to keep pace not only as a leading stadium in terms of capacity, events, environmental impact and turf quality but as “the benchmark” globally.
“You could have a lightweight, retractable roof if it was felt that was what we wanted to have,” he said. “I think the opportunities are quite enormous.”
In a wideranging interview about the future of Melbourne’s world class sports precinct, Mr Gough predicted:
RICHMOND’S Punt Rd Oval could be used for more footy and major events.
THE RAILYARDS between the MCG and the CBD will be covered, allowing New York High Line style walkways, new parkland and decking to enhance events such as the Australian Open tennis.
THE NATIONAL Sports Museum now housed inside MCG could be moved elsewhere in the precinct and
AFL MATCHES will attract average crowds of 80,000 each week as Melbourne’s population increases.
Mr Gough said the capacity of the MCG would not necessarily increase beyond 100,000 if a roof was built over the stadium.
But its versatility as a host venue would be enhanced with fans protected from Melbourne’s unpredictable weather, particularly for concerts and during winter.
He said the sheer span of the stadium — 173.6m long and 148.3m wide from fence to fence — was an issue but not an insurmountable obstacle.
“There is no stadium that is that size that has a retractable roof,” he said.
“We are just thinking that the advances in technology of what you have seen with roofs on stadiums all around Europe and America, admittedly smaller, a lightweight structure would be the answer.”
He said a roof would also finally solve the problem of seagulls invading the playing surface during AFL and cricket matches at the famous ground.
The Herald Sun revealed earlier this year an MCG roof walk and zip line experience will be built at the stadium in the near future.
It is likely tourists will be able to conduct roof walks during sporting events once the infrastructure is complete.
READ MORE
Could Melbourne be the new Silicon Valley?
Melbourne has nearly matched Silicon Valley in a list of the world’s most innovative cities, boosting the city’s status as an innovation hub. This is where we ranked.
Local shopping strips that Melburnians love
Some suburban shopping strips are doing it tough, but it is not all doom and gloom. These are the Melbourne shopping streets that are bucking the trend and winning customers’ hearts and wallets.