The members' pavilion at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is to be knocked down, as part of a $A28million redevelopment scheme. The plan is to replace the whole northern side of the ground with one huge stand to eyeball the existing Great Southern Stand. When work is completed in 2005, in time for the following year's Commonwealth Games, the MCG will be a huge concrete bowl. A feasability study was carried out to try to establish whether the existing pavilion could be retained, but it was eventually decided that it would be too difficult and costly to accommodate. The plan also includes the replacement of the stands which flank the pavilion – the Olympic Stand, built in 1956, and the Ponsford Stand (1967). The new stand will cover 55% of the ground perimeter.

The cosy, plush-carpeted pavilion, which dates from 1927, will be replaced by improved facilities for Melbourne Cricket Club members, including a high-ceilinged "members' atrium" and an area similar to the current Long Room. Members have been assured that the new arrangements will have "a definite `club' feel, with timber panelling, fine artworks and a magnificent seven-metre-wide tapestry depicting the ground's development since 1853".

Work will start in April 2002. It will proceed in five stages, to ensure that ground capacity never falls below 70,000. Eventually the ground will accommodate over 100,000 spectators.

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