MCC boss Stephen Gough proposes massive revamp of Melbourne’s sporting precinct, including a retractable roof on the MCG

7 November 2016

A ROOF could be built over the MCG to weatherproof Australia’s greatest stadium in one of the biggest stadiums redevelopments ever attempted in world sport.

MCC boss Stephen Gough has proposed installing a lightweight retractable roof over the MCG and believes the technology required to complete the major project was ready to roll.

“I think technology is on our side here and the engineers are working on all sorts of solutions about that,” he said. “And that would be something the MCC would have to look at. Do we want a covered roof and should it be retractable because we go back to those great sunny days for a big open air stadium?”
Such a plan is likely to divide sports fans who believe the stadium’s open structure is sacrosanct and others who see it as an obvious advantage.

Soccer giant Real Madrid has approved a €400 million retractable roof for its Santiago Bernabeu headquarters with construction to commence next year.
Mr Gough said the MCG needed to keep pace not only as a leading stadium in terms of capacity, events, environmental impact and turf quality but as “the benchmark” globally.

“You could have a lightweight, retractable roof if it was felt that was what we wanted to have,” he said. “I think the opportunities are quite enormous.”

 

Source:heraldsun.com