Royal Melbourne Showgrounds
Encyclopedia
The Melbourne Showgrounds is located in the inner north-western suburb of Ascot Vale, Victoria
, Australia
, next door to Flemington Racecourse
. Is the home of the annual Royal Melbourne Show
, as well as major exhibitions, trade shows, and music concerts.
It is commonly used for large music festivals – as of 2010, it plays host to Soundwave, Creamfields
, Stereosonic
and was the former home of the Big Day Out
(which is now held at the adjacent Flemington Racecourse
). Part of it is often leased out during the year.
It has also been used to film numerous TV commercials.
It also was used on the last show on The Police
's Synchronicity Tour
, their last world tour, before they re-united briefly to play three concerts for the Amnesty International
A Conspiracy of Hope Tour
and reuniting in the studio.
The 30 acres site at Ascot Vale was given to the National Agricultural Society of Victoria (predecessor of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria) in 1882. The first Show held the next year and over the next few decades a number of pavilions were erected on the site. During both World War I
and Word War II the showgrounds were requisitioned for military purposes. During the 1970s the first major attractions were built, such as the 1,800 foot long chairlift, with 112 chairs that covered the journey in 7 minutes. In 1977 the new Government Pavilion was completed, costing $1,800,000 and covering an area of 2,839 square metres. The iconic "Pie in the Sky" was also built the same year, and was heritage listed in 1999.
.
In March 2004 a list of the three short-listed consortia was announced, with the winning applicant revealed in December that year: PPP Solutions – a consortium of financier Babcock and Brown, Multiplex Constructions, Multiplex Facilities Management, Spotless Services and Daryl Jackson Architects. The contract with PPP Solutions was signed on 22 June 2005, and required the consortium to design, build, finance and maintain the showground facilities for a period of 25 years.
Costing $146 million, the government provided $101 million for the project, the Royal Agricultural Society $16 million, and the remaining $29 million will come from lease revenue and management fees. Two-thirds of the 27 hectare site was redeveloped as a venue for the Royal Melbourne Show, while 'non-core' land along Epsom Road and Langs Road to be given over to other uses.
The works were completed as planned by the 2006 Royal Melbourne Show, and included the following new works:
The following heritage buildings were also restored:
Before the redevelopment the main arena had a 15,000 capacity, with the new basic rectangle arena opened for the 2006 Royal Melbourne Show. Around the same time the rest of old arena was demolished.
In 2008 the development of the Epsom Road site was announced, with Coles Group
building a $40 million neighbourhood shopping centre, featuring a Coles supermarket, 1st Choice Liquor superstore, 30 retail spaces ranging in size from 50 square metres to 600 square metres, and a not-for-profit child care centre able to accommodate up to 120 children. The heritage listed Woodfull Pavilion was also incorporated into the development, which opened in August 2009.
side the Melbourne Aces
from the 2010-11 season. $300,000 was spent to transform the ground to a baseball arena giving the Showgrounds its first sporting tenant. The Showgrounds was notorious for being a batter-friendly park with its short fences. In 20 games at the ground, 96 home runs were hit, accounting for over 42% of the leagues total home-runs and well above the rest of the leagues ballparks average of 26 home runs for the season.
on the Flemington Racecourse line, only open for the Royal Melbourne Show and other special events.
Extra trams
are also run to the Showgrounds for the duration of the Royal Melbourne Show, running along route 57
.
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, next door to Flemington Racecourse
Flemington Racecourse
Flemington Racecourse is a major horse racing venue located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is most notable for hosting the Melbourne Cup, which is Australia's richest horse race. The racecourse is situated on low alluvial flats, next to the Maribyrnong River...
. Is the home of the annual Royal Melbourne Show
Royal Melbourne Show
The Royal Melbourne Show is an agricultural show held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds every September. The Royal Show began in 1848. The focus of the show is the display of rural industry, including livestock and produce. There are associated competitions and awards...
, as well as major exhibitions, trade shows, and music concerts.
It is commonly used for large music festivals – as of 2010, it plays host to Soundwave, Creamfields
Creamfields
Creamfelds is a large dance music festival featuring DJs and live acts. It is held annually on the August Bank Holiday weekend in Daresbury, Cheshire, England, just outside of Liverpool where it had previously been held for a number of years. It is renowned for being headlined every year by the...
, Stereosonic
Stereosonic
Stereosonic is an annual music festival held in Australia in early December. From its humble beginnings, Stereosonic has become a relatively big music festival in Australia. Stereosonic is held in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne. Stereosonic is a collaboration of two major Australia...
and was the former home of the Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
(which is now held at the adjacent Flemington Racecourse
Flemington Racecourse
Flemington Racecourse is a major horse racing venue located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is most notable for hosting the Melbourne Cup, which is Australia's richest horse race. The racecourse is situated on low alluvial flats, next to the Maribyrnong River...
). Part of it is often leased out during the year.
It has also been used to film numerous TV commercials.
It also was used on the last show on The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
's Synchronicity Tour
Synchronicity Tour
The Police Synchronicity Tour was a 1983–1984 concert tour by The Police.During the early tour dates, the band resided at a mansion in Bridgehampton, New York and were flown to the concerts.-Regular setlist:* Can't Stand Losing You...
, their last world tour, before they re-united briefly to play three concerts for the Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
A Conspiracy of Hope Tour
A Conspiracy of Hope Tour
A Conspiracy of Hope was a short tour of six benefit concerts on behalf of Amnesty International that took place in the United States during June 1986. The purpose of the tour was not to raise funds but rather to increase awareness of human rights and of Amnesty's work on its 25th anniversary, and...
and reuniting in the studio.
Establishment
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and Word War II the showgrounds were requisitioned for military purposes. During the 1970s the first major attractions were built, such as the 1,800 foot long chairlift, with 112 chairs that covered the journey in 7 minutes. In 1977 the new Government Pavilion was completed, costing $1,800,000 and covering an area of 2,839 square metres. The iconic "Pie in the Sky" was also built the same year, and was heritage listed in 1999.
Redevelopment
By the early 2000s the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds had become dilapidated, especially when compared to other Australian venues such as the Sydney Showgrounds at Homebush. As a result the State Government announced a redevelopment of the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds site, to be carried out as a joint venture partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and private sector investors, with demolition commencing in June 2002, and all work to be completed by the 2006 Royal Melbourne ShowRoyal Melbourne Show
The Royal Melbourne Show is an agricultural show held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds every September. The Royal Show began in 1848. The focus of the show is the display of rural industry, including livestock and produce. There are associated competitions and awards...
.
In March 2004 a list of the three short-listed consortia was announced, with the winning applicant revealed in December that year: PPP Solutions – a consortium of financier Babcock and Brown, Multiplex Constructions, Multiplex Facilities Management, Spotless Services and Daryl Jackson Architects. The contract with PPP Solutions was signed on 22 June 2005, and required the consortium to design, build, finance and maintain the showground facilities for a period of 25 years.
Costing $146 million, the government provided $101 million for the project, the Royal Agricultural Society $16 million, and the remaining $29 million will come from lease revenue and management fees. Two-thirds of the 27 hectare site was redeveloped as a venue for the Royal Melbourne Show, while 'non-core' land along Epsom Road and Langs Road to be given over to other uses.
The works were completed as planned by the 2006 Royal Melbourne Show, and included the following new works:
- A 8,000-square meter Grand Pavilion,
- A new 10,000-square meter Exhibition Pavilion, which can house livestock,
- A new 4,300-seat outdoor arena, capable of holding two horse competition rings,
- A Grand Boulevard linking the grassy spaces and events areas, and
- The new headquarters for the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.
The following heritage buildings were also restored:
- Centenary Hall, an art-deco hall built in 1934 and now restored to its original condition,
- The heritage-listed Public Grandstand, built in 1915 with new seating,
- Pie in the Sky, the heritage-listed and popular meeting point which was built in 1977.
Before the redevelopment the main arena had a 15,000 capacity, with the new basic rectangle arena opened for the 2006 Royal Melbourne Show. Around the same time the rest of old arena was demolished.
In 2008 the development of the Epsom Road site was announced, with Coles Group
Coles Group
Coles Group Limited was an Australian public company that operated numerous retail chains. It was Australia's second-largest retailer, behind Woolworths Limited...
building a $40 million neighbourhood shopping centre, featuring a Coles supermarket, 1st Choice Liquor superstore, 30 retail spaces ranging in size from 50 square metres to 600 square metres, and a not-for-profit child care centre able to accommodate up to 120 children. The heritage listed Woodfull Pavilion was also incorporated into the development, which opened in August 2009.
Melbourne Aces
The main arena is the home ground of Australian Baseball LeagueAustralian Baseball League
The Australian Baseball League was a baseball league, established in 1987 and disbanded in 1999.-Formation:Before the formation of the Australian Baseball League, the Claxton Shield, established in , was Australia's premier baseball tournament...
side the Melbourne Aces
Melbourne Aces
The Melbourne Aces is a professional baseball team in the Australian Baseball League based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.On Friday, 20 August 2010 it was announced that ex-Australian Baseball player Philip Dale would take up the head coaching role at Melbourne Aces.On Tuesday, 12 October 2010,...
from the 2010-11 season. $300,000 was spent to transform the ground to a baseball arena giving the Showgrounds its first sporting tenant. The Showgrounds was notorious for being a batter-friendly park with its short fences. In 20 games at the ground, 96 home runs were hit, accounting for over 42% of the leagues total home-runs and well above the rest of the leagues ballparks average of 26 home runs for the season.
Public transport
The Showgrounds has its own railway stationShowgrounds railway station, Melbourne
Showgrounds is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Flemington Racecourse railway line in the suburb of Flemington, adjacent to the Melbourne Showgrounds....
on the Flemington Racecourse line, only open for the Royal Melbourne Show and other special events.
Extra trams
Trams in Melbourne
The Melbourne tramway network is a major form of public transport in Melbourne, the capital city of the state of Victoria, Australia. , the network consisted of of track, 487 trams, 28 routes, and 1,773 tram stops. It was therefore the largest urban tramway network in the world, ahead of the...
are also run to the Showgrounds for the duration of the Royal Melbourne Show, running along route 57
Melbourne tram route 57
Tram route 57 is a public transport service in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It runs from the corner of Flinders Street and Elizabeth Street in the city centre to West Maribyrnong in the inner Western suburbs....
.