MCG on track for footy season

The MCG's $430 million reconstruction is on schedule and one-third completed.

Demolition of the western half of the Olympic Stand began yesterday, with the second part to be torn down after this year's AFL Grand Final.

The historic MCC Members' Pavilion has been completely torn down, leaving the stadium with a capacity of just over 70,000 for the upcoming AFL season.

A Grand Final capacity of 80,000 will depend on the progress of work in the new pavilion.

Fans will welcome a second giant electronic scoreboard to be installed in the new Ponsford Stand in April.

The MCC's 80,000 members are on the move again and will be relocated temporarily into the first two levels of the Ponsford Stand for the 2004 footy season.

Television, radio and print media have also been shifted into corporate boxes in the eastern end of the Olympic Stand.

AFL members will remain in the Great Southern Stand.

Grocon project manager Steve Richardson said work was on track for completion in time for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

"It's moving along extremely well. It's a big and complex project, but so far we're meeting expectations," he said yesterday.

Grocon's 400-man workforce has begun installing seats in the second and third tiers of the Ponsford Stand and will fit out the top deck throughout the year.

The construction giant is contracted to complete its work by late next year, allowing Games organisers time to fit out the stadium before the opening ceremony on March 15, 2006.

Capacity at the MCG for the Commonwealth Games will be about 97,000 -- boosted to more than 100,000 after the Games.

The AFL season kicks off on Friday, March 26, when Richmond meets Collingwood under lights at the MCG.

The MCC expects some new corporate boxes and dining rooms in the Ponsford Stand to be ready by Round 1.