So politics has “won” and the politicians are doing their best to ruin the 2032 Olympics with their parliament games, highlighted with the saga over renovating the Gabba which now has Australia’s Olympic guru poo-pooing the idea. So since it looks like the Gabba refurb is dead, we let our Wooden Spooners team open up the discussion on 2032 Brisbane Olympics Stadium Alternatives.
Although, it does seem like a shame not to renovate the Gabba, which by the time the Hobart AFL team comes into the competition will be the sixth best cricket ground in Australia and doomed to have only test matches featuring Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Australia A.
OK, so maybe the Gabba makeover shouldn’t cost more than $1B and take out a school which will probably still only have a few hundred students by the time the 2032 Olympics comes around as only the 200 wealthiest Queenslanders will be able to afford to rent within 10 kilometres of the CBD, and those Rental inspection lines will be longer than a Taylor Swift concert ticket. Ironically, if Brisbane turned the Gabba into a decent venue they might be a better chance of getting Taylor Swift. Or maybe she will be old enough for the Twin Towns crowd by then. Who knows.
But it’s not up to us, we are just mere Queensland residents who are still excited by the 2032 Olympics, and just hope that the games aren’t ruined by elected buffoons. And since no one asked for our opinion, here is our 2032 Brisbane Olympics Stadium Alternatives.
And for something else Oympics related that no one asked for, here is our offering of 2032 Olympics Trial Sports for Brisbane.
2032 Brisbane Olympics Stadium Alternatives
QEII Stadium
Old is new again. Thank God the people against re-working the Gabba would prefer the Old White Elephant to become the new White Elephant.
The convenient location of Nathan with no train line is much better than having a brand new-ish underground station right next door like the Gabba. Or a dedicated walk all the way into the CBD and Milton.
Why stroll along the river when you can dart in and out of Kessels Road. Not far away is Sunnybank. And a Bunnings. We presume.
And by the time Governments stop arguing the South East Freeway will need another three lanes each way to ensure a 45 minute drive from the CBD to find a park.
RNA EKKA OVAL
If we are going to upgrade a current stadium, why not do one that is close to town, will have a train station nearby (ironically on the same line as the Gabba would have had), and will actually be used for a week and a half a year after the Olympics.
Lord knows the RNA Showgrounds Main Oval could do with an upgrade, as long as they keep some of the great heritage features.
And who knows. By 2032 Sheepdog Trials may have taken off and you’ll need a 50,000 seater stadium to quench the thirst of Bordie Collie v Sheep action.
And the Brisbane Bandits baseball deserve a bigger stadium too.
And with Archerfield Speedway closing, what are some people going to do at Seven O’Clock, this Saturday Night (Be There). The RNA ground is perfect, if you exclude the potential noise complaints. Which will come.
CARRARA
It wouldn’t be the first time that something meant to be in Brisbane is based on the Gold Coast.
It’s there, and it’s not the Gabba. So currently qualifies under Brisbane Olympic Stadium Alternatives.
Who wouldn’t want to see an Opening Ceremony featuring Warwick Capper. Preferably in the gold hot pants and mayor sash from his unsuccessful tilt at mayor,
ALBION PARK
If there is a sport that gets less government attention than Harness Racing, it’s probably Greyhound Racing. We think unfairly so, as we love both codes. But the reality is Governments don’t care.
Which is why Albion Park is a great Brisbane Olympic Stadium alternative.
Close enough to town, a McDonalds nearby, plus one of Brisbane finest pubs, it is a venue worth serious thought.
Plus, you could even take Silks to the world as the former Seafood Buffer phenomenon is revamped as the official caterer of the new Olympic Stadium. Throw another shrimp on the barbie one could say.
Where will the Harness and Greyhound codes go? Well maybe they could go back to the Gabba as it will have less to do now it’s not the Olympic Stadium.
WELLCAMP COVID FACILITY
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-30/wellcamp-quarantine-facility-process-lacked-transparency/102540862
Since people don’t like the amount of money wasted on the Wellcamp Covid Facility, why not turn the 2032 Brisbane Olympics Games into a Regional event with the main events in Toowoomba.
And with the airport nearby, how convenient for people to fly in, and of course fly out even quicker.
Since people don’t actually care that the stadium isn’t close to town, why does it matter if it is not in Brisbane at all now.
PINKENBA COVID FACILITY
Slightly less unpopular with public because the local News Ltd media tell them not to be because it was built by a conservative federal government is the Pinkenba Covid facility.
Pros are it can use an area that is currently being under used. And what an athlete’s village it would.
Cons are Pinkenba is a bit of a sh!thole currently. But on the flip side having the Olympic Village there may take our some of the romance of the allegedly very active athlete’s village.
It may be further out of town than the Gabba, but the remnants of the old Pinkenba train line exists. Even though they couldn’t be arsed electrifying all of it back in the day. As good as the return of the silver carriages of the Diesel-led beauties would be, the Pinkenba line is primed for a Fast Train service. Pinkenba to CBD is five to ten minutes. If governments could not argue about the route. Which they will.
DOBOY STATION
While we’re suggesting abandoned train lines, what about an abandoned train station.
Ignored for too long as most trains ran express past, Doboy Station was eventually dismantled all together in the 1990’s.
But since no one wants a Gabba stadium, how about the chunk of land near the Gateway Bridge and revamp Doboy Station in a mega transport hub for the new Olympic Stadium.
Doboy Station would also be ship ready as the Port of Brisbane is nearby. And if plane travel prices keep soaring, and/or climate change forces change in travelling habits more and more countries might need to send their athletes to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics in Shipping containers. How convenient.
And with Inghams Chicken nearby, catering is all sorted as the 2032 Brisbane Olympics becomes famous for the best Chicken Chippies ever.
SYDNEY
Still if the various governments in Queensland can’t help themselves, the AOC and IOC eventually give up and give the games back to Sydney, who know how to do it.
