Nov 6th, 2016

Nov 6th, 2016

The Melbourne Cricket Ground could be about to undergo another facelift with a retractable roof being proposed for the famous stadium.

MCG boss Stephen Gough has suggested installing a lightweight roof over the iconic venue in order to remain as “the benchmark” in Australian sport.

“I think technology is on our side here and the engineers are working on all sorts of solutions about (a roof),” Gough told the Herald Sun.

“And that would be something the MCC would have to look at.

“You could have a lightweight, retractable roof if it was felt that was what we wanted to have.

However, the proposal faces major difficulties with the MCG one of the largest – 173.6m long and 148.3m wide – stadia in the world and a new roof would not necessarily add to the capacity of the ground.

Also to be considered is public perception with the MCG arguably the country’s most beloved stadium.

However, Gough believes the benefits of a retractable roof outweigh any backlash.

“I think the opportunities are quite enormous,” he said

Gough also said there could be major changes in the future for the precinct surrounding the stadium with a number of areas earmarked to benefit from any new construction.