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It seems to me that we are all a bit concerned about where the funding for the MES upgrade is going to come from correct? I am pretty sure though that we all understand that an upgrade to MES would be much cheaper than a new stadium, let alone a bogus, no point, multi-purpose stadium that seems to be dead!
That in mind an upgrade to MES, preferably a quality upgrade to bring the stadium into line with say Suncorp (not as big put the same sort of functionality), to seat say about 30000 (would be nice to be nearly 40000, but don’t think that would happen) is probably what we would be looking for correct?
The MES website (http://www.membersequitystadium.com.au) actually states the following,
“Members Equity Stadium has plans for a further 3 stages of development, accommodating up to 35,000 patrons. State of the art design and world-class corporate facilities will place the venue as Australia's benchmark for sporting and stadium events.”
Now this tells me that they, ALLIA, are definitely looking to upgrade the stadium to a venue which the WF and the fans would be comfortable. Would be nice to know how long these 3 stages is planned to take???
As for funding the upgrade I am sure that ALLIA would most likely be working on this already and have drawn up some details. I do have some ideas myself, even though they might be crazy!!!
It is understood that John ‘the man’ O’Neil has come over to put the squeeze on the newly appointed government to get them to come to the party! Maybe he got the governments boogie on I don’t know, does anybody? So partial government funding could be available for the MES upgrade. I am sure this is a possibility; the government could put it under their publics work fund I guess? Some how make the stadium have say a nice park land area (even thought it may be small). Who knows?
Now I am sure the ARU would be nice enough to throw some money the way of the WF for a “new stadium” right? So maybe that is some more money? As for the other codes, football and league, I would assume that at least the ARL would be interested in giving some money to the Reds since they need a nice stadium to play at for the 2012 ARL season right? Now the FFA on the other hand doesn’t seem to have as deep pockets as say the ARU or ARL (even though those aren’t that deep either). They may however have at least something to give.
Now the money from the WF, Reds and Glory may be a combination of the money from their governing bodies, their sponsors and from the sounds of it possibly even members? Of course this money raised may not even amount to much.
The money raised from the government, the sporting codes and the stadium owners (there are owners right, I am not so sure on this), however, could be used as a deposit and a partnership could be forged with a monetary fund of sort (is Members Equity one of these right). This must be possibly right?
This of course is a big investment and deals would need to be worked out to ensure all parties got their fair share. Now I believe someone stated that they wouldn’t want to help pay for an upgrade because they don’t feel they would get their monies back from the MES stadium and the events that are held at the grounds. Now I don’t think this is a fair statement. Once the WF make the move that would 6-7 events (possibly 13 games when they expand the competition to home/away rounds), plus the preseason game/s, all the home games for Glory, eventually all the home games for the Reds plus any music acts that can be accommodated on top. To me that would seem like quite a lot of events right? Ok so in the first season at MES there would probably only be the WF and Glory games, maybe some Reds (non-ARL games) and some music; but wouldn’t it be cheap to see all of that for say $2000 a funding-ticket right? But then again not everyone is going to want to go to these events. I am just saying there are quite a lot of events and this fan funding idea isn't so crazy.
Of course these ideas could be, and I would think are most likely, already in the pipe work (at least some of them). I just like putting my two cents in even if I am a little behind the eight ball here, as has been pointed out to me!! All I can do is pray for a 35000 seater stadium with corners, two big screens either end, easy access to bars, enough bars, enough amenities and easy access to them and a nice view of the ground from every seat!!!
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). If ToV get screwed by the State Governmnet, we can go and riot at parliment house. 
Originally Posted by Fullback
Back to peaceful lobbying...
