Lang Park
Lang Park (The Cauldron) | |
 | |
 | |
| Former names | Lang Park Suncorp-Metway Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | Milton, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Owner | Queensland Government |
| Operator | Ogden IFC (Brisbane) Pty Ltd |
| Capacity | 52,500 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1911 |
| Opened | 1914 |
| Closed | Open |
| Demolished | Redeveloped 2001-2003 |
| Construction cost | $280,000,000 (redevelopment) |
| Architect | HOK and PDT |
| Tenants | |
| Brisbane Broncos (NRL) (2005 avg: 30,300) Queensland Roar FC (A-League) (2005/6 avg: 14,899) Queensland Reds (Super 14) (2006 avg: 23,154) Queensland Maroons (State of Origin) (2005 avg: 52,460) | |
Suncorp Stadium, formerly known as Lang Park, is a rectangular sporting stadium located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia. Built on the site of a cemetery, the stadium has been the home of rugby league in Queensland since 1957 and today also hosts rugby union and soccer matches.
History
Origins
The site of Lang Park was originally the North Brisbane Burial Grounds, and until 1875 was Brisbane's primary cemetery. By 1911 the area was heavily populated, so the Paddington Cemeteries Act (1911) was introduced and the site was redeveloped as a recreational site. In 1914 it was fenced off and named Lang Park after John Dunmore Lang.[1]
In 1953 the Brisbane Rugby League (BRL) amalgamated with the Queensland Rugby League (QRL). QRL secretary Ron McAullife negotiated a 21 year lease of Lang Park from the Brisbane City Council in order to give the QRL a financially viable base of operations. The park had only the most basic facilities, and the QRL contributed £17,000 to its development.
Lang Park hosted its first game of first grade rugby league in 1957. In 1958 it hosted its first Brisbane rugby league grand final in which Brothers defeated Valleys 22 points to 7.[2]
As the ground was used increasingly by the QRL it became no longer viable for use as a public recreation facility. In 1962 the Lang Park Trust was created under an act of Parliament. This allowed for the construction of the Frank Burke Stand (1962), Ron McAullife Stand (early 1970s) and the Western Grandstand (1994). The Trust had on its board one member from the Queensland Government, one member from the Brisbane City Council, two members from the Queensland Rugby League and one member from the Brisbane Rugby League.[3]
From the 1960s Lang Park hosted interstate and international rugby league, including the inaugural Rugby League State of Origin match. During the 1970s it was the home ground of the Wests Panthers and from 1988 to 1992 it was also the home ground of the Brisbane Broncos.
Redevelopment
In the late 1990s it was decided that Brisbane needed a state of the art football stadium, and after much debate about the location Lang Park (now known as Suncorp Stadium) was chosen as the site.
At a cost of $280,000,000 the redevelopment was completed in 2003. The redeveloped stadium's first event was a National Rugby League match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Newcastle Knights on 1 June 2003. The only remaining stand from before the redevelopment is the Western Grandstand. The extension of the facility resulted in the demolition of a number of buildings along Milton Road, including the former Brisbane City Council trolley-bus depot.
The stadium design allows most spectators to sit close to the field. Following its redevelopment, questions were raised about the standard of the surface, which was soft underfoot and sandy and was blamed for a spate of injuries to footballers using it (temporarily earning the stadium the nickname "Sandcorp Stadium" [4]). Prior to the redevelopment, the stadium was known as "The Cauldron", and Queensland fans developed a reputation for vocal support of their teams, adding to this mythology.
Much of this mythology centred around the Queensland State of Origin Team who play their home games at the stadium. The Maroons were viewed as almost unbeatable in front of their fanatical home supporters, however the first games played after the redevelopment of the stadium ended in victories to the visiting team. While the home fans are beginning to reassert themselves, many believe that the aura of invincibility that home teams have at the stadium has been permanently lost.
Today
Although the stadium has been the traditional home of rugby league in Queensland, it has also become the state's premier venue for rugby union. Suncorp Stadium hosted games at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, however it reverted back to the name Lang Park for these games due to IRB restrictions on stadium sponsorships.
In 2006, the stadium became the new home of the Queensland Reds Super 14 team when they moved from their former home at Ballymore Stadium.[5] This move caused some disquiet amongst rugby traditionalists however was accepted by Queensland Rugby Union CEO Theo Psaros, who said that "our hearts may be at Ballymore but our heads say it's time to move."[6].
The football (soccer) team Queensland Roar FC of the A-League also play their home games at Suncorp Stadium.
On July 29, 2006 the Bledisloe Cup clash between Australia and the All Blacks returned to Brisbane for the first time in over a decade for the 2006 Tri Nations Series. Though Australia narrowly lost the match, the game saw a new ground record set.
The stadium will host a friendly football (soccer) game between Australia and Paraguay in October 2006.
Popular culture
In the 1980s Wally Lewis became known as The Emperor of Lang Park after his performances in Rugby League State of Origin matches played at the ground. Brisbane-based beer XXXX, which is brewed at the nearby Castlemaine Brewery, ran a television advertisement celebrating this title in song.
- Here's to Wally Lewis for lacing on a boot
- Sometimes he plays it rugged, sometimes he plays it cute
- He slices through a backline like a Stradbroke Island shark
- There's glue on all his fingers, he's the Emperor of Lang Park[7]
The stadium has been nicknamed Fortress Suncorp for the Wallabies due to their impressive record at the redeveloped venue.[8]
Accessibility
| Walking | Pedestrian access
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| Bus | Bus access
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| Train | Train access
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| Car | There is no available parking at the Stadium, however, parking stations are available within easy walking distance of the Stadium. |
Facts
| Record crowd | 52,498 - Rugby union, 29 July 2006 2006 Tri Nations Series (Bledisloe Cup) - Australia v All Blacks |
| Video screen | Yes |
| Lights | Yes |
| Sports played | Rugby league, Rugby union, Football (soccer) |
| Annual events | State of Origin, Queensland Cup Grand Final, ANZAC Test |
| Historic events | 1968 Rugby League World Cup 1975 Rugby League World Cup 1977 Rugby League World Cup 1980 Rugby League State of Origin 2003 Rugby World Cup |
References
- ^ Gallaway, Jack Origin: Rugby League's Greatest Contest 1980-2002 University of Queensland Press, 2003 ISBN 0-7022-3383-8
- ^ McGregor, Adrian King Wally University of Queensland Press, 1986 ISBN 0-7022-2037-X
- ^ Mallory, Greg "Key 'Milestones' Affecting Community and Administration in the Brisbane Rugby League: 1922 -1987" retrieved December 7, 2005
- ^ Suncorp Stadium History retrieved December 5, 2005
- Suncorp Stadium by the Queensland Government Major Sports Facilities Authority, retrieved December 6, 2005
- Suncorp Stadium Redevelopment retrieved December 6, 2005
- ^ Time to deliver accessed July 19, 2006.
External links
- Suncorp Stadium - Official site
- Lang Park at Austadiums