The historic "Bryan Mace Grandstand" at Frankston Park has been destroyed by the fire this morning. Reports say a passing motorist noticed the fire in the grandstand around 2:30am today and called the firefighters and when they arrived the grandstand was well ablaze.
It is believed to have caused $1million damage. Arson is suspected.
Very sad news?
Forums
6 30am news 3aw ( grandstan belonging to St Kilda football club burnt down in Frankston) I thought Frankston Dolphins used this ground. Bloody media.
Will Frankston still play thier this year? No change rooms for umpires and opp, as well up to a 1000 people would sit thier on a good day, Frankston ovel would have trouble fitting a good crowd in now.
Sad day prob one of the local bogan groups that have no value of anything.
One of my favorite grandstands but I always thought it being totally made of wood that it was vunerable to a fire one day.
:cry: Yes a football icon and to replace that will take a lot of money and time. Stand was good viewing and just been refurbished and a good place if wet. Lots of memories some good and some not.
go zebs
zebra :wink:
Terrible news when I heard this on the radio this morning. As critical as I was at times about the viewing obstacles in the stand, it had a lot of character and when sitting in it you'd know it was a very historical structure. It also provided an awesome backdrop covering the entire wing and peaked on the hill it was an icon easily viewable by passers by along Nepean Hwy. Won't be the same without it there.
I have posted up an article on the front page from The Age.
Terrible news... I'm sure the Dolphins are devastated by this damage. To hear it may be arson just makes it worse.
Footyman,
You will be pleased to know that the only thing left standing are those posts at the front that you loved so much.
(Somes days you just need a laugh :cry: )
The culprits should be hung by the balls.
The old grandstand was an icon and irreplaceable.
That'd be right!!! I always knew they were strong.
In all seriousness, I agree with vfa, no replacement will have the same charm as that old stand did. I believe few homeless people lived in there, someone I knew rocked up early for the reserves game one day and got a good seat in the 'empty' grandstand, but got the fright of their life when some dero stumbled to his feet in the back row and started getting abusive.
There will be a lot of very, very sad Frankston people, VFA people and community football followers today. :(
Hopefully Frankston and their local council are more proactive than Coburg were after their fire and are quick to rebuild. And hopefully it doesn't lead to St Kilda's facilities being constructed in its place.
I've never seen under the stand - how much irreplaceable memorabilia was kept in there? What will be the impact on Frankstons season ahead?
Was there much damage to the playing surface?
I heard that no memoribilia was kept there.
Big relief that.
Hopefully Frankston can re build a stand with similar charm and be much more pro active than Coburg after its fire.
There are now photo's posted on the Frankston site of whats left of the Grandstand.
http://www.frankstonfc.com.au/photos.php