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7:36AM Sunday 12 July, 2009

High price for second rate seats

12:00a.m. 15th January 2009

| By Amy Remeikis

High price for second rate seats

Broncos vs Melbourne Storm. Photo: Nev Madsen.

The Sunshine Coast’s lack of a permanent stadium continues to cost the community.

Rugby league fans are being forced to pay up to $40 to watch a pre-season NRL game from temporary seating with no weather protection.

To sit in a premium seat at Suncorp Stadium for a NRL match would cost just $5 more.

Last year, general admission at Suncorp would set you back $25 for a grandstand seat.

The same money will put you in the general outer – read standing – area for next month’s trial game between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm at Stockland Park.

Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles CEO Brett Winkler acknowledged that to some, the ticket price might seem expensive.

But he said that was the cost of not having a permanent stadium on the Sunshine Coast.

“What are we going to do? We have to get all the temporary infrastructure in, that costs tens of thousands of dollars just for the seating,” Mr Winkler said.

“BECAUSE we don’t have defined areas, we have to apply for a one-off licence to serve alcohol.

“We have to put on more security staff and we have to fence all the areas, which means we have to bring in all the temporary fences.

“We have to truck in between 60 and 70 portable toilets, which cost $110 each for the night. Then we have to hire someone to man them.

“And we have to pay for someone to come in and pump them out because there is no sewerage. To put on this one night, we are looking at at least $200,000 once you factor in staff as well as the rental costs of the venue.

“It is just phenomenal. There is a massive amount going into setting all of this up and it is down to the temporary infrastructure costs.

“If we had a stadium the cost of a ticket would be cheaper. No doubt about it.”

The February 28 game is the first event the Sea Eagles club has promoted.

Mr Winkler said last year’s pre-season game, marketed by Stockland Park, was sold on a “first in, first serve” basis, so while the tickets were cheaper, not everyone was guaranteed a seat.

He said the organisers had worked hard to make it affordable for families.

“We have a family pack, which is two adults and two kids, for $70 in the outer area and $120 for a family pack in the grandstand,” he said.

Mr Winkler said the Sunshine Coast deserved to have events of this calibre and a permanent stadium would attract more.

“This is just a situation the council have ignored for so long,” he said.

To join the fight for a permanent Sunshine Coast stadium become a member of the Give Us a Stadium group (GUS) on Facebook.

Recent Comments

Add a comment
Posted by chocbeach from kings beach
on 15 January, 2009 at 6:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
stay home in droves.tv is the go,premium seating,no weather or hoon problems,beer at the right price and very close to the couch.same with the loo.you can have as many viewers as you want,at the same price of $0
Posted by aussie_w from Maroochydore
on 15 January, 2009 at 7:28 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Lets remember the quote “If we had a stadium the cost of a ticket would be cheaper. No doubt about it.”

And if we actualy get a stadium see if this is the case. Doubt it probably more excuse to rip us off for a trial game.
Posted by shelley_winter from warana beach
on 15 January, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Maybe we could get complimentary tickets like the people that live near ausie zoo. we live a block from the park and have cars parked in our street and then have to listen to the drunken ruckus when they all leave.maybe we could charge for parking to pay for the expensive tickets!
Posted by Fojar from Caloundra
on 15 January, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I wonder how serious they would take a Facebook support group?
Posted by smeee from yandina creek
on 15 January, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hang on, they want to spend millins of dollars on a new stadium, for 1 game a year. Heres an idea, put the money in the bank, and with the interest hire a couple of buses and pay for a season ticket at suncorp stadium. Dont go wasting millions on a white elephant, that will then cost millions to maintain.
Posted by sav77 from Currumundi
on 15 January, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
If only it was a Qld team, and not Manly who have became partners with the Sunshine Coast League, than the stadium would of been built with a month of the partnership. Good old Qld mentality, 'we don't want NSW up here' Considering Manly are one of the most hated clubs, might also prove to be the stadiums downfall.
Posted by Fojar from Caloundra
on 15 January, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
On closer inspection of this facebook issue, The group is operated by Paul Munnings of the SCD and the writer of the story is a member. This news story is looking more like free advertisment for a support group rather then a news story. This website is truning more into a highschool news paper lol... But then again i still read it everyday, Hope this comment rallies more members for your cause Amy and Paul... Good luck *sarcastic giggle:)*
Posted by doctor49 from Battery Hill
on 15 January, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Good to see the usual myopic coast thinking in evidence. Left to some we'd still be debating the use of fire for cooking.
Posted by Munners from Kawana
on 15 January, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's no secret that I'm the man who started the GUS (Give Us A Stadium) campaign after continuing complaints from various Coast sporting codes and identities. You can read everything regarding the stadium issue in the number of columns that have been written and the stories on the topic covering all points of view on this website.
Posted by Munners from Kawana
on 15 January, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Smee, A Stadium would be used just about all year around, not just for one game.
It would be the home ground for the Sunshine Coast Fire, Sunshine Coast Stingrays and Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, as well as a venue for matches such as Broncos-Storm, A League pre-season and fixture matches, possible rugby super 14 matches and other fixtures, as well as an outdoor entertainment venue.
Posted by smeee from yandina creek
on 15 January, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Lewts get real. The brisbane roar need a minimum atendance at suncorp of 15000 to make it worth thier while. The reds have basically moved out of suncorp because they can;t get the minimum number. They were quoting 10 million in the paper last week for this stadium, with only about 500 seats, so that means even for this pre season game, you would still need all the temporary toilets and seating. Someone isnt tellig the full story or addingup the numbers. They just pig headedly want a stadium because without a stadium, then the coast obviously hasnt come of age. How many people turn up now to see the fire, the stigrays and the sea eagles. And I mean truthfully, don;t start counting in the players and coaching staff and ground attendants as attendees.
Posted by Munners from Kawana
on 15 January, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
A 500-seat grandstand would be ridiculously small. That is not what the Coast needs.
And the stadium would be used for much more than fire, stingrays and sea eagles..
Posted by havingasay from Wurtulla
on 15 January, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I believe the Council and Govt need to look at opening a Stadium on the Coast the same way as someone would look at opening a new business. It's not going to pay itself off over night, but if they build something decent it will attract decent events, and decent crowds, which will raise revenue and one day it may start making a profit, money talks. Maybe the Coast needs a Private Consortium to say "stuff the Council, stuff the Govt, I'm going to build a 5000 seat stadium, with room for future expansion, and I'm going to do it NOW"
Posted by atapro from Noosaville
on 15 January, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
In the end the Council will make the decisions on the stadium and from my experience they will fully examine the financial viability and ignore the publicity hype. And, as a ratepayer I would be quite concerned if they didn't.
Posted by smeee from yandina creek
on 15 January, 2009 at 1:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well munners, last week they quoted 10 mill for 500 seats. how many do you propose and what is the cost??? 50 million for 5000 seats?
Posted by Munners from Kawana
on 15 January, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
From memory, the original plan had many more than 500 seats for $15 million. I think it was 2000 seats.
The new Skilled Stadium on the Gold Coast, with 28,000 seats and all the bells and whistles was $160 million.
The Sunshine Coast does not need a Skilled Stadium, but something significantly smaller.
It must be remembered that the expense of setting up a playing surface has already been outlaid and there are floodlights installed...so we're not starting from scratch.
Posted by jboast from Buderim
on 15 January, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
May comment on the "financial viability" angle. Can someone detail to me the viability of the Cooroy Library at a council reported $1Mpa running cost to rate payers, in fact any library? Any of the council aquatic centres which get a council contribution therefore are technically not viable on their own?
If a pure "user pay" approach was applied to all council and government funded projects then I suggest the vast majority will fail the test. There is an incalculable benefit to the people via education, entertainment, health and enjoyment which all of these provide so just because you may not read many books or swim does not mean the facilities should not be made available to those who do?
So, you can not always judge a proposal by its numbers alone and that is where the tricky part starts.
Posted by Munners from Kawana
on 15 January, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The original stage two had a plan for 3000 permanent undercover seats...and the funding needed was around $16million
Posted by smeee from yandina creek
on 15 January, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Here are the direct quoted from the SCD last week.

"The first option, costing $10 million, is a 500 seat grandstand that can not be expanded."

"The second option, priced at $16 million, would deliver the Coast a 1200 seat grandstand with seating for a further 800 people, as well as corporate and media boxes and change rooms."

that is well short of 3000. And then by time you add in cost blow outs, which always happen, you will be looking at in excess of 20 million.

It isnt like field of dreams where if you build it they will come. You wil build it and it will sit there empty for most of its life. I realise people out there enjoy thier league, but the bottom line is that not many people go to the state league games. And even less go as the tier goes down.
Posted by Munners from Kawana
on 15 January, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Smee, it's not just a league stadium and the original plan was 3000 seats for under $20 million.
Posted by atapro from Noosaville
on 15 January, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Fair point jboast. But just don't forget who is paying the bills for all of these projects. That includes you and me and everyone else who pays Rates.

Can I make a suggestion for the stadium supporters. Why doesn't someone send the Daily an article detailing all of the projected community benefits so that Ratepayers like me, who know next to nothing about the stadium, can get an understanding that their money will contribute to more than just reducing the cost of seats at footy games and port-a-loos.
Posted by fatbuilt from Twin Waters
on 15 January, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Smee, get a grip!

We can get them to put hitching posts out the front for your trip in from Yandina!

I have attended Rugby League, Union games at Quad park as well as concerts, Olympic torch relay, boat shows, circus, monster trucks / Motorcross, Home Shows etc etc etc

The fact is - we have a population base of approx 300K and growing and we have the sporting facilities of a backwater country town - NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

Munners please publish the original artist impressions from the original Quad Park Corp design
Posted by Munners from Kawana
on 15 January, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Atapro, may I suggest you read some of the many articles and columns you can find on the topic on this site. Last Saturday's paper featured 3 pages on the stadium issue, including comment from a number of sporting identities
Posted by atapro from Noosaville
on 15 January, 2009 at 5:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Thanks Munners. I don't normally read the paper copy of the Daily. I really don't care that much whether you get a stadium or not. It's just the tightwad in me which tends to oppose anything which is likely to increase our already exhorbitant Rates.
Posted by smeee from yandina creek
on 15 January, 2009 at 6:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
you can tell when people feel they are losing an argument. They stoop to name calling and derogitory comments.

Munners, you put up a good argument, however it is a shame those around you can't consturct an arugment for the stadium.
Posted by Munners from Kawana
on 15 January, 2009 at 9:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Smeee, Thanks for the kind words and I think over time, if the stadium or something like it gets built, we will see what an asset it can be in giving the community a sporting heart to be proud of.
Posted by doctor49 from Battery Hill
on 15 January, 2009 at 10:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
smeee
There are several communities in Australia (albeit with vision and imagination) with populations no greater than this area with first class stadium facilities. They had communities and leaders with courage, who were prepared to be visible and make them happen.

It's unfortunate the same effort isn't put into making things happen here as is put into making sure they don't.

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