First Olympic legacy project to begin as soon as Ekka is over
While the improved 20,000-seat arena would not host any competitions in 2032, due to its proximity to the adjacent athletes' village and the subsequent security overlay, the venue has been touted as a key Olympic legacy project.
Crisafulli said work would begin on the historic John MacDonald and Ernest Baynes stands, built in 1906 and 1923 respectively, as soon as this year's Ekka was over.
'To see the work happening on those stands is something that will fill the community with hope about taking this venue to the next level,' he said.
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RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said the character of the heritage-listed stands would be maintained.
'The Ekka has been changing for the past 150 years, and we evolve – we have to evolve,' he said.
'If you look at our grandstands now, there's no accessibility.
'Now, that wasn't an issue a hundred years ago when they were built, but obviously today, that's not acceptable.
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