If a substantial but unroofed concrete stand and an open wooden stand are counted, there have been 14 grandstands erected at the MCG since the first Members Pavilion of 1854. From early photographs this appeared to have a seating capacity of about 60.
A more substantial edifice for the members was built in 1881. It was extended in 1886 at a cost of just under £6000 and demolished in 1927 to make way for the third and most famous Members Pavilion, which was completed in 1928 at a cost of £60,000. This structure survived until 2004, when it was replaced as part of the northern redevelopment finished in 2006.
The first grandstand on the MCG's northern side was built in 1876 but was destroyed by fire seven years later.
A fine new structure, which came to be known simply as "The Grandstand", replaced it. This stand catered for 450 members and 4500 public patrons. Another deck, added in 1897, doubled capacity. It was demolished in 1955 for the Northern (now Olympic) Stand which had a capacity of 43,200 before a series of modifications from 1984 reduced standing room and some seating areas to accommodate dining rooms, corporate suites and a second scoreboard.
To the western end of the stadium was the Grey Smith Stand (1906) which was demolished in 1966 for building of the Western (now Ponsford) Stand. The Harrison Stand (1908) and Wardill Stand (1912) made way for the 1936-37 construction of the Southern Stand, a huge project which accommodated 48,000 spectators, 18,200 of whom were seated under cover. This stand saw an explosion in attendances as a sports-hungry population emerged from the Depression years.
Its eventual replacement, the Great Southern Stand of 1991-92 and boasting a similar capacity, has had an even bigger impact with superb sightlines, comfortable seating and provision for public and corporate dining and entertainment facilities. This $150 million project was completed on time and below budget and, despite many site difficulties, only one football grand final had to be transferred away from the stadium and no major cricket fixtures were forfeited during the construction period.
In late-2002, work commenced on demolition of the Ponsford and Olympic Stands, along with the Members Pavilion, to make way for one grandstand that encompasses the entire northern side of the stadium. Complete with improved sightlines, amenities and comfort, the redevelopment was completed in time for the Commonwealth Games in March, 2006.
Members Pavilion
First Pavilion
- Erected 1854 (clock gable added in 1860s)
- Removed 1882
Second Pavilion
- Erected 1881(foundation stone laid by Prince George and Prince Edward, July 4, 1881)
- Extended 1887
- Total Cost £5928
- Demolished 1927 for the building of the third Members Pavilion
Third Pavilion
- Erected 1928
- Total Cost £60,000
- Current capacity 6431 (seated 4311; standing 2120)
Northern Stand
First stand
- Erected 1876
- Destroyed by fire 1884
Second Stand ("The Grandstand")
- Erected 1884
- Extension (double deck added) 1897
- Demolished 1955 for building of Olympic Stand
Third Stand
- Erected 1956
- Cost £700,000 (£100,000 from government funds)
- Capacity 23,723 (seating for 22,213; dining rooms 504; corporate boxes 1006)
- Renamed Olympic Stand in 1987
Open Wooden
- Stand Erected 1907
- Demolished 1936 for building of Southern Stand.
Grey Smith Stand
- Erected 1906
- Cost £15,700; capacity 2084
- Demolished 1966 for building of Western (now Ponsford) Stand
Harrison Stand
- Erected 1908
- Cost £1850
- Capacity 4000
- Demolished 1936 for building of Southern Stand.
Wardill Stand
- Erected 1912
- Cost £5256
- Capacity 8000
- Demolished 1936 for building of Southern Stand.
Concrete Stand
- Erected 1926
- Cost £9842
- Capacity 10,000
- Demolished 1966 for building of Western (now Ponsford) Stand.
Southern Stand
- Erected 1936-37
- Cost £100,000
- Capacity 48,000 with 18,200 seated under cover
- Demolished 1990 to allow for construction of the Great Southern Stand.
Western (then Ponsford) Stand
- Erected 1967-68
- Cost $2.3 million
- Capacity 22,707 (all seated)
Great Southern Stand
- Erected 1991-92
- Opened March 25, 1992
- Budgeted cost $150 million; actual cost $142 million
- Capacity 44,696 (Seated 40,178; standing 3506; corporate suites 1012)
- Floor area of 81,000 square metres is roughly equivalent to that of a 75-storey office building.
- The uppermost seats are about 28 metres above ground level and the roofline is almost twice as high as the old stand.
- There are 23 food halls and/or self-service bars, seven dining rooms and two major bars in the new stand.
- There are seven gates and major dining rooms in the Great Southern Stand named after our sporting heroes - Dick Reynolds, Bill Woodfull, Sid and Gordon Coventry, Don Bradman, Haydn Bunton, Ron Barassi, Tom Wills, Keith Miller, Jack Ryder and Lindsay Hassett.
Northern Stand Redevelopment
- Erected 2002-2006
- Opened February 17, 2006
- Budgeted cost $434 million
- Encompasses the Ponsford and Olympic Stands and Members Pavilion.
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