After a century of sport, Gabba to be demolished for good
One of Australia’s most famous stadiums, not long ago proposed as the centrepiece of a future Olympic and Paralympic Games, is set to be demolished.
The 130-year-old “Gabba” will be torn down after the Brisbane 2032 Games, by which time a new, larger venue on the other side of the river at Victoria Park is due to be completed.
Housing will likely fill the existing stadium site, under plans to revitalise the inner-south area, with a privately funded arena for concerts planned on an adjacent block.
The Gabba is expected to reach the end of its “useful life” in six years.
The former Queensland Labor government abandoned a planned rebuild of the stadium, and an independent review undertaken for the current LNP government found it was too late to rebuild the venue in time for the 2032 Olympics, was overly risky, and would not deliver sufficient benefit for Brisbane.
That was despite the Gabba being one of Australia’s best-known stadiums, and a local landmark.
“I love the Gabba,” said former Test cricketer Michael Kasprowicz, who holds the record for the most wickets at the ground.
Fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz warming up for Queensland in 2006. Credit: Fairfax
“It’s been a massive part of my life, to the point where I think I might have even said to a couple of people that when I pass, I want my ashes sprinkled just short of a good length at the Vulture Street end.
“I’ve got to find another venue for that now.
Rusted support beams at the Gabba in Brisbane.Credit: William Davis
“I know there’s plenty of history, but … ultimately, you know, things change.
“Having done home renovations before, it’s always easier starting new than having to renovate an old Queenslander.
“Being pragmatic about it, I think that’s the best result. Get the new stadium – it’ll be fantastic.”
The Gabba – officially called Brisbane Cricket Ground but nicknamed after the suburb of Woolloongabba – has hosted cricket matches since the 1890s, including 67 Tests.
It is also among the few national stadiums to have never been rebranded with a commercial name, and is one of the last two Test venues, alongside the SCG, to have a permanent pitch.
However, its future has long been uncertain, with successive governments declining to deliver any major upgrades, despite rising maintenance costs and the stadium no longer meeting accessibility standards.
A Victoria Park stadium render released by the Queensland government this week.Credit: Queensland government
Premier David Crisafulli sees Brisbane’s sporting future at Victoria Park, where Queensland cricket and the Brisbane Lions will move after the Games.
A last hurrah is planned for the Gabba, with the ground set to hold the T20 cricket final at the 2032 Olympics if the sport is included.
“The vision our government has beyond the Games includes the Gabba coming down to make way for urban renewal beside a world-class arena,” Crisafulli said on Tuesday.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final – the Gabba’s swan song?”
Crisafulli appeared to have some affinity for the Gabba and the proposal to rebuild it – he admits breaking his election promise not to build a new stadium – but said it “can’t be done within the time period that we have left”.
“It would have been great to get cracking a few years ago. I just point to the fact that we are here now, and we’ve got a plan … we are serious about getting on with it,” he said.
The LNP leader believes the new 60,000-plus-seat stadium at Victoria Park will secure the future of cricket and AFL in Brisbane for another generation.
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