Aurora Stadium | |
Location | Launceston, Tasmania |
---|---|
Coordinates | 41°25′33″S 147°08′20″E / 41.42583°S 147.13889°E |
Owner | Launceston City Council |
Operator | AFL Tasmania |
Capacity | 20,000 |
Field size | 175 x 145 m |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Broke ground | 1919 |
Opened | 1921 |
Construction cost | $AU23.6M (redevelopment) |
Tenants | |
Tasmanian Devils Football Club (VFL) (2001–2008) Hawthorn Hawks (AFL) (2001–present) St Kilda Saints (AFL) (2003–2006) North Launceston Football Club (NTFL and TSL) (?–present) |
York Park is a sports ground located in the Inveresk and York Park Precinct, Launceston, Australia. It holds 20,000 people, the most of any stadium in Tasmania. It has been known as Aurora Stadium under a six-year naming rights agreement with Aurora Energy since 2004. Primarily used for Australian rules football, its record attendance of 20,971 was set in June 2006 when Hawthorn played Richmond in an Australian Football League (AFL) match.
The area was originally swampland before becoming Launceston's showgrounds in 1873. Work started on transforming the area into a sports venue in 1919 and was completed within two years. In the early years, it was exclusively used for North Launceston and state football games. Australian rules football and other sports such as cricket, tennis, bowling, cycling and foot-racing have been played at York Park since 1923. The Hawthorn Football Club has played 2–5 AFL matches a season since 2001, and the St Kilda Football Club played two games a year from 2003 to 2006. In 2007, the Tasmanian Government signed a AU$16.4 million, five-year sponsorship deal with Hawthorn, under which four home and away season games and one National Australia Bank Cup pre-season match will be played at the venue each year. On 21 February 2009 the ground became home of the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame. Throughout its history, York Park has hosted major pop concerts and other entertainments. York Park has hosted international sports events since 2001, and a redevelopment at a cost of $23.6 million was completed in 2005.
History
The area now known as York Park was originally "swampy, sour, and choked with weeds". After European settlement, it was used for landfill before becoming the Launceston showgrounds in 1874.[1][2] By 1881, 47 acres (0.19 km2) of land (now York and Invermay Parks) had been taken over by the council "for the purpose of recreation, health and enjoyment". The area was ready to be used for two cricket games by the end of 1886. Even though cricketers were in "full [...] praise" of the ground, footballers were unable to use the facility as winter rain caused it to become waterlogged.[1]
At a council meeting in July 1901, Alderman Storrer proposed that Inveresk Park be renamed York Park in honour of the Duke of York (later to become King George V), who visited Tasmania during the Federation celebrations of 1901. The proposal was passed 4–2, although Alderman Salder noted that "Launceston was well known as a loyal community and did not need to change the park's name" to prove their fidelity to the monarchy. A bowling green and tennis courts were completed by 1910, along with the main oval, which was used for state school sports. In 1919, the council staged a competition for the design of the York Park sports ground, and the winner received £20. Two full sized tennis courts, a bowling green, cycling track and a cricket and football ground with dressing rooms and accommodation for spectators had to be included in the final design.[3]
York Park was officially opened by the St Andrews Caledonian Society on 1 January 1921. A cycling track surrounding the perimeter fence was in use by September of the same year.[4][5] By the start of the 1923 football season, a "spacious" grandstand had been completed. The Examiner noted on 4 May that, "Work on the grandstand was completed for the opening of the 1923 football season when the game was transferred from the NTCA Ground to York Park. Work on the grandstand and the seating round the oval has been proceeded with at top speed, and spectators at the game tomorrow should have little to complain of."[3] The first game between the northern and southern halves of Tasmania took place at the oval in August 1923 in front of a crowd of 9,441. A reporter from The Examiner noted, "The oval is in good order and well grassed and the new motor mower copes with the latter very effectively under favourable conditions. The whole five acres can be cut in six hours, as compared with twenty hours by the horse mower."[3] When harrowed, glass and other debris would surface and John Orchard later remembered, "they'd line up a whole group of people, perhaps thirty or forty players, and we'd go along with a container alongside each other and we'd pick up everything that was likely to hurt a player; a stone or something... With all this tip underneath, when it rained the rain went straight through the top surface: it was the best rainwater ground in Australia."[3]
Heavy floods in 1929 substantially damaged the ground and destroyed the cycling track, which was consequently rebuilt.[3] The floods also delayed the start of the Northern Tasmanian Football Association (NTFA) season by a week.[6] The North Launceston Football Club won six consecutive premierships in the 1930s before World War II intervened. Matches were canceled in 1941, not to resume until the 1945 season, which began with two minutes of silence in memory of the 12 NTFA footballers who lost their lives during the war. Three years later, 12 ornamental trees were planted in their memory.[7]
In 1960, York Park was the venue of a football match in which Tasmania defeated Victoria for the first time. The match was attended by a record crowd of approximately 15,000.[8][9] Four years later, the southern stand (demolished in 2004) was completed, leading to a "building spree". In the 1970s, another stand capable of holding 650 spectators—along with kiosks and the match room committee—was built. According to a council publication, " [...] this was a domain for women: the mothers and sisters and wives who were the committees. They ran the kiosk and raised money with stalls and dances. And a lot of mothers and girlfriends and wives of players who are put on the field are tied up the whole time behind the bench, often out of sight of the ground, and they slave all the afternoon with saveloys and sandwiches, washing up and so on, and they often don't see their boys play."[7]
Until 1999, York Park remained a suburban-style sports ground; according to ground manager Robert Groenewegen, supporters were able to "park [their] car next to the boundary fence".[4] Before the 1998 federal election, the local member of parliament (MP) representing the Division of Bass, Warwick Smith—a minister from the ruling Liberal Party—promised to fund the re-development of York Park if he was re-elected. Although Smith lost his seat, the Liberals retained power and kept the promise.[4] The $6.4 million re-development completed in 2000 was the first major redvelopment phase in the process of raising the ground to Australian Football League (AFL) standard. This included the construction of the Gunns Stand—a two-level grandstand that originally held 2,500 (now 5,700), as well as corporate facilities,[10][11] five Template:M to ft 1400-lux (units of illumination) television standard light towers, a watering and drainage system able to disperse up to 100 millimetres (3.9 in) of rain an hour and 85 in-ground sprinklers capable of rising 15 cm.[10][12][13][14][15][16]
In 2003, the Government of Tasmania allocated $2 million to erect a roof above 6,000 seats, in readiness for the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup; this meant that almost all of the seating area was protected from the weather.[17] In 2004, the ground became known as Aurora Stadium as the result of six-year naming rights sponsorship deal with Aurora Energy.[2] During 2006, the state government supplied $150,000 for new gates and ticket boxes at the stadium entry. The gates were later named after recently deceased Premier Jim Bacon.[18]
In March 2008, a deliberately lit fire destroyed part of the heritage-listed Northern Stand, causing between $300,000 and $500,000 damage. The insurance payout from the fire will determine whether the venue is expanded.[19][20] The gates and Northern Stand have been placed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register and are protected as they are deemed to be culturally significant to the state.[21]
There has been a $7 million proposal by the Launceston City Council for the development of a new Northern Stand. The project is also set to include the relocation of the Northern Stand's heritage roof into part of the redevelopment of facilities at Invermay Park. The old structure will be replaced with a 2,125-seat grandstand, which will include corporate boxes, official areas for 800, and new change rooms, increasing the ground seating capacity to 13,825. The Australian Government is set to contribute $4 million, the Tasmanian Government $2 million and Launceston City Council $500,000. The Hawthorn Football Club are currently asking for a "sizeable" contribution from the AFL towards the development, and Inveresk Precinct Authority chairman Robin McKendrick has indicated that a contribution of $1 million was possible.[22][23][24][25]
Events
Australian football
Australian rules football is the main sport played at the stadium, which is the long-term base of the North Launceston, and thus hosts regular Tasmanian State League matches.[26]
The stadium has hosted AFL games since 2001, when the state government started paying interstate clubs to relocate their home games. Hawthorn played one game in 2001, two in 2002 and they were joined by another Melbourne-based team, St Kilda, in 2003. In 2004, it was estimated that each game cost the government between $300,000 and $500,000, but Premier Jim Bacon stated that the government was making a profit on its investment, estimating that each game injected between $1 million and $1.5 million into the Tasmanian economy.[27][28]
The number of matches peaked in 2006, when Hawthorn played three home games and one pre-season game, while St Kilda played two home games. The games drew an average crowd of 17,108, with a record sttendance of 20,971 for the match between Hawthorn and Richmond. The ground also hosted occasional Tasmanian home games in the Victorian Football League from 2001 until their demise in 2008.[29]
The April 2006 AFL siren controversy occurred in a game between St Kilda and Fremantle at York Park. Fremantle were a point ahead when the siren to end the game sounded during a stoppage for a ball-up, but the umpire in charge of the ball was oblivious, and resumed play despite the reactions of the nearby Fremantle players.[30] While play continued for several seconds, St. Kilda levelled the scores. However, that score was annulled because a St. Kilda player was felled after the ball was kicked, earning a free kick. This gave St Kilda a chance to score a goal (six points) to win the game, but they only managed a behind, again levelling the scores. After a protest, the AFL Commission convened and overturned the result, awarding Fremantle the victory. The stadium's sirens have since been replaced, and the ones will be put on display at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.[30]
In 2007 a five-year, $16.4 million sponsorship agreement began to make the state government Hawthorn's primary sponsor. Under the agreement, Hawthorn played five matches a year (one pre-season and four premiership games) at York Park.[31] Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has expressed interest in his club playing higher profile teams such as Collingwood at the stadium.[10]
Other uses
York Park has hosted one National Soccer League match along with three A-League pre-season games.[11] The first national league match at the stadium occurred when Melbourne Knights and Perth Glory played during the 2001–02 NSL season.[7] In July 2006, the stadium hosted Tasmania's first A-League match when Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United played in the pre-season competition. In 2007, 8,061 attended the match, which has been repeated every year.[32][33] Inveresk Precinct Authority chairman Robin McKendrick has stated that ground authorities are attempting to win hosting rights for national team matches at York Park.[34]
Before its redevelopment, the stadium hosted an Ike & Tina Turner concert as well as a Billy Graham religious revival meeting.[4] York Park hosted its only international sporting event when Romania and Namibia played in front of 15,457 spectators during the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup. The Crusty Demons performed at the stadium during 2006 and March 2008.[35][36] Elton John also performed at York Park during his Rocket Man Solo Tour at the end of 2007, in his only Tasmanian appearance as of August 2009.[37]
Structures and facilities
York Park is an oval-shaped grassed arena surrounded by several different stands, the largest being the two-tier Gunns Stand on the ground's western side. The stand originally had a capacity of 2,500, which was increased by an extension in 2005 to 5,700.[12][38] The 5,700 capacity stand has two corporate box areas, the Gunns Function Centre and the Corporate Function Centre.[39] Immediately north of the Stand is the Aurora Function Centre, which houses coaches' boxes along with a function centre.[40][41][42] Next to Aurora Function Centre is the heritage listed Northern Stand, which connects the Northern, Southern and Eastern Terraces. The stands have a collective capacity of 6,000, bringing the ground's total seating to 11,700.[11][43] The Railway Workers Hill is a small, uncovered stand located at the eastern side of the ground between the Northern and Eastern Terraces. The ground has a parking capacity of approximately 2,500 because of large grassy areas at the adjacent Inveresk site, with an option of street parking.[44][45]
York Park has often been criticised for its large playing surface, which is blamed for producing low-scoring football, which is regarded as unattractive. The highest score at the ground is 17.15 (17 goals and 15 behinds) (117), recorded in 2002. Prior to the start of 2009, only 11 of 28 matches saw a score beyond 100.[46] For a pre-season match in 2009, 13 metres of width was removed from the outer wing "in a bid to produce more attractive games."[47] Before the match, Groenewegen said, "Because that outer wing was so wide, once they [a team] chipped wide out there it was very easy for teams to flood back because you were so far away from the goals."[47][46] The ground is also known for its strong wind,[48] which hinders the accuracy of long-distance kicks that are propelled high into the air.
A grant of $50,000 from the Tasmanian Community Fund in 2005 helped the Launceston City Council and AFL Tasmania construct a permanent Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame at York Park. The ground was chosen as the site because it is regarded as the home of Australian Rules Football in Tasmania.[49] AFL Tasmania initiated the Hall of Fame nomination process, and since 2005, various clubs, players and grounds have been inducted.[50] The Hall of Fame opened to the public on 21 February 2009.[51] As of May 2009, $23.6 million had been spent re-developing the stadium.[11][13]
Record crowds
Season | Average |
---|---|
2009 | 17,420 |
2008 | 17,528 |
2007 | 17,403 |
2006 | 17,108 |
2005 | 15,772 |
2004 | 16,615 |
2003 | 16,707 |
2002 | 16,589 |
2001 | 17,460 |
Total | 16,867 |
The ground's record attendance is 20,971, recorded in an AFL match between Hawthorn and Richmond on 18 June 2006. This match occurred before the Northern Stand was damaged, decreasing the stadium capacity.[53] An AFL match between Hawthorn and St Kilda on 8 August 2009 saw a capacity crowd of 20,011—the largest crowd since the fire.[54] The stadium's lowest AFL attendance is 12,465, recorded in a match between St Kilda and Fremantle on 3 April 2005.[52]
The highest recorded attendance for a soccer match is 8,061, when Melbourne Victory played Adelaide United on 16 July during a 2007 A-League pre-season Challenge Cup match.[55] A Billy Graham religious revival meeting on 17 March 1959 was attended by 17,000, a record for a non-sporting event.[56][57]
Notes
- References using The Examiner may require registration for access.
- ^ a b Green (2006), p. 41.
- ^ a b "Naming rights for Tasmania's Home of Football to Tasmanian company". Aurora Energy. 2004-09-27. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
- ^ a b c d e Green (2006), p. 42.
- ^ a b c d "The making of Tassie's biggest sports icon". The Examiner. 2006-09-03. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "A Short History". Launceston City Cycling Club. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ "Northern Bombers History 1921-1930". North Launceston Football Club. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
- ^ a b c Green (2006), p. 43.
- ^ "Relive Tassie football's glory days". Australia Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ "A History of Tasmanian Football". Government of Tasmania. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ a b c "No takers on $10m stadium expansion plan". The Examiner. 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ a b c d "Launceston City Council / York Park & Inveresk Precinct Authority Submission" (PDF). Launceston City Council. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ a b "York Park upgrade is flowing ahead". The Examiner. 1999-11-06. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) Cite error: The named reference "York Park upgrade is flowing ahead" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ a b "The forum - Hopes still alive for a State team" (Press release). The Examiner. 2009-04-02. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
{{cite press release}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Coast's turn to take the events praise". The Examiner. 2000-02-22. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Future concept for stadium revealed". The Examiner. 1999-09-28. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "York Park Story". Aurora Stadium. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ "Council welcomes York Park seating boost". ABC News. 2003-04-07. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
- ^ "York Park gates to be named after Bacon". ABC. 2006-08-16. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
- ^ "AFL gives Aurora all clear". Yahoo!7 Pty Limited. 2008-03-30. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
- ^ "Grandstand fire 'deliberately lit'". The Australian. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Tasmanian Heritage Register. "York Park Entrance Gates and Grandstand". Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
- ^ "Aurora Stadium Upgrade" (PDF). Launceston City Council. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
- ^ "Aurora Stadium plan expected by Christmas". Launceston Times. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
- ^ "Hawks to lobby AFL for Aurora upgrade". The Examiner. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Launceston City Council welcomes funding for the Northern Stand" (PDF). The Examiner. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Tasmanian State League Business Plan" (PDF). AFL Tasmania. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- ^ "Tas footing big bill for York Park match". ABC News. 2004-06-10. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ "York Park kicking goals for Tas economy". ABC News. 2003-09-24. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ "Aurora Stadium". Australia Football League. Retrieved 2009-02-191.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ a b "Sirengate". Launceston City Council. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
- ^ "Hawks confirm Tasmanian deal". The Age. 2006-09-01. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ "Football spreads its reach". A-League. 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ "Melbourne wins friendly". The Age. 2009-07-27. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
- ^ "Socceroos could play at Aurora". The Examiner. 2007-07-21. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Crusty Demons 2008". Launceston City Council. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ "Crusty Demons 2006". Launceston City Council. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ "Elton John (8 December 2007)". Launceston City Council. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ "Reserved seats sell well for Anzac Day - AFL at Aurora". The Examiner. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Aurora Stadium - Event Hospitality". Aurora Stadium. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ^ "Aurora Function Centre". Aurora Stadium. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ "Gunns Function Room". Aurora Stadium. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ "Corporate Suites". Aurora Stadium. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ "$4m in federal funding for Aurora Stadium". The Examiner. 2009-04-24. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Technical Information". Launceston City Council. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
- ^ "Aurora Stadium". Australian Football League. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ a b "Aurora changing shape". Herald Sun. 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ a b "No more winging flood at Launceston's Aurora Stadium". Adelaide Now. 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
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: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Lewis to beef up Hawks for 'Dogs duel", The Age, 2008-05-30, accessed 2009-09-28
- ^ "Tasmanian Community Support Fund", AFL Tasmania, 2008-05-30, accessed 2008-12-31
- ^ "2008 Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame Inductions". AFL Tasmania. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Tasmanian legends revealed to public". The Examiner. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ a b "Best Crowds/Worst Crowds". AFL Tables. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
- ^ "York Park hosts first ever sell-out". ABC. 2009-08-09. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
- ^ "Crawford given chance to cap 300th". Australian Football League. 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
- ^ "Why not Tasmania?". Fox Sports. 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
- ^ The Examiner, p. 1, 1959-03-18
- ^ The Examiner, p. 1, 2007-12-09
References
- Green, Anne (2006). The Home of Sports and Manly Exercise : Places of Leisure in Launceston. Launceston City Council. ISBN 0-9596090-7-5.