Cricket Australia and Tasmania raise concerns of Macquarie Point stadium roof

Dark shadows hang over the viability of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium to host international cricket matches and meetings are being held today to address the growing concerns.

Hobart's proposed stadium at Macquarie Point. Picture: Macquarie Point Development Corporation

Australian and Tasmanian cricket officials want to see the proposed roof on Macquarie Point Stadium redesigned or risk having no games played at the venue.

The concerns surround the effects of shadows cast by the roof’s supporting structure over where the centre wicket would be.

“We are in constant dialogue with the Tasmanian Government about the design for the Macquarie Point stadium,” a Cricket Australia statement said.

“We want to ensure the stadium is fit for purpose for all forms of cricket so we can bring the best possible international and domestic cricket to the stadium and maximise benefits for all Tasmanians.”

It is understood that the current design of the stadium will mean the ground will unlikely be able to host test match cricket and could also struggle to host One Day Internationals and T20 matches.

The ABC reported on Wednesday morning, Cricket Tasmania boss Dominic Baker and Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley wrote a joint letter to the Tasmanian Government earlier this month raising “significant concerns”.

“We are of the view the current roof design will mean the stadium is unlikely to be conducive to hosting test matches and could also be challenged in hosting One Day (50 over) and T20 (20 over) fixtures,” the letter said according to the ABC.

It’s understood there is a meeting between CA and the state government today.

A roofed stadium with a 23,000 seat capacity is a key factor in the Tasmanian Government’s deal with the AFL to become the competition’s 19th team.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government was “working through all those challenges”.

“Most importantly this is not just an AFL stadium, it is a multi purpose stadium that needs to cater for events, other codes of sport including cricket and of course AFL,” Mr Rockliff said.

“There will be design challenges in accommodating that but through very sensible conversations, working together, we’re committed to a roof and we are continuing with designs to cater to every eventuality.

“I have always said it’s not just about AFL but it is a multi purpose stadium for multi users, multi events and multi sporting codes and thats what will bring and ensure the success of the stadium.”

The AFL today reaffirmed its position that the stadium must include a roof.

“There has been no change to the conditions contracted for a 19th AFL team licence in Tasmania which includes the commitment of a 23,000-seat, roofed stadium at Macquarie Point,” AFL Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs, Government and Communications Brian Walsh told the Mercury.

Originally published as Cricket Australia and Tasmania raise concerns of Macquarie Point stadium roof