3 days ago
Shane Warne Stand rebuild still on the agenda; MCC members back rules to crack down on card fraud
Construction work to replace the MCG's Shane Warne Stand won't begin any earlier than 2030 or 2031, the Melbourne Cricket Club says, confirming that a slate of major events at the iconic Melbourne institution will impact the timing of the proposed major stadium overall.
Plans to rebuild or refurbish the stand – which covers half the MCG and was built in 1992 – have been in the mix for some time, as it had an anticipated lifespan of about four decades and is considered an ageing asset.
The Victorian government and the MCC have already completed a feasibility study to determine the future of the 45,000-seat stand – previously known as the Great Southern Stand – which caters for nearly half the stadium's capacity.
MCC chief executive Stuart Fox told the club's annual general meeting on Tuesday night that the Warne stand overhaul would 'certainly be challenging' and would require additional public and private funding support as the club 'wouldn't be capable of doing that on our own'.
This masthead reported three years ago that the Victorian government, emboldened by its agreement with the AFL to host every grand final until 2057, would be expected to foot the majority of the bill.
The MCC has recorded a net profit of $38.35 million for the financial year ending March 31. The latest result came after the club posted a net profit of $32.1 million last financial year. The club has also reported having cash reserves of nearly $80 million.
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Fox and MCC president Fred Oldfield told the meeting that the project remained a high priority.
'We've done the initial work on the Shane Warne Stand, and that was in conjunction with the Victorian government,' Fox said.
