the Raiders training field at Bruce is the most uninspiring environment to train in. A barren field beside a main road with a few dull buildings on one side, that’s exactly what the Brumbies don’t need.
The Griffith HQ can be improved or pushed over and rebuilt. I doubt the building is heritage listed, the field and surrounding parkland is. the Brumbies would still mix up where they train to keep it interesting for the guys, jezz everything is close in Canberra, all points of the city are within 20 minutes of the CDB.
I really think if the ACT government misses the opportunity to bring a pro sports stadium into the civic quarter they will miss a massive opportunity to support the hotels and businesses in the central area and encourage local tourism. And loose opportunity revitalize the city.
Look at Sydney’s Homebush everyone hates going there, because its barren, has no personality and few businesses around it to give it any real life even after 13 years. The opposite is Melbourne with its sports grounds located close to the CBD. They’re well patronized because their proximity to the city, i.e. MCG, Tennis centre, FI track and the new rugby stadium. All the city businesses and hotels benefit from this and employs plenty of Melbournites to make it all happen. ACT need to build on this model for Canberra. Another remote decentralized stadium would be ridiculous and no real asset to the city. Bruce stadium struggles to pull crowds now mainly because it is remote, open and cold and lifeless.
