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ANZ Stadium to undergo $350 million redevelopment

19th November, 2014
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Will Sydney's stadiums be re-developed? (Image: ANZ Stadium)
19th November, 2014
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1893 Reads

ANZ Stadium, Sydney’s iconic Olympic venue, will undergo a $350 million redesign undertaken by international construction and engineering firm Laing O’Rourke.

The redevelopment is expected to begin at the conclusion of the 2016 NRL season and anticipated to conclude “in time for State of Origin 2018”, the Stadium has released.

It is estimated that more than 21 million punters have walked through the Stadium’s turnstiles since the opening of the Sydney Olympics some 14 years ago.

ANZ Stadium home team theming (Image: ANZ Stadium)

Yet, despite its impressive design and monumental capacity when first opened ANZ Stadium, has drawn criticism in recent years with many calling for improved facilities to match the best that the world now has to offer.

Arthur Stanley, ANZ’s Media Manager has indicated that “at the heart of the redevelopment, is the determination to dial out all the compromises of the Olympic design and address the issues that are all too commonly raised by [The Roar’s] loyal readers.”

Daryl Kerry, ANZ Stadium’s Managing Director surmised the current condition and perception of the venue indicating that “Sydney’s sporting infrastructure has fallen behind other states and major cities in the Asia-Pacific Region.

“While ANZ Stadium has served Sydney well it must undergo a significant redevelopment to ensure it continues to attract major events for Sydney and NSW and meet the expectations of today’s players and fans”.

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ANZ Stadium members' alfresco terrace (Image: ANZ Stadium)

The developments to the venue can be split into three parts.

Redevelopments to the stadium itself will see moveable grandstands that accommodate for a variety of field sizes, in doing so bring spectators closer to the action for cricket, AFL, rugby and football fixtures.

Fans will now sit around five metres from the sidelines, which ANZ indicate to be as close (and in some instances closer) to the action than Allianz and Suncorp Stadium front row seating respectively. The capacity will remain around the 80,000 mark.

Similar to the London Olympics, the stadium will boast an LED light solution to improve the atmosphere for smaller events. This, according to Stanley, “gives the stadium the ability to configure appropriately for small, medium and large events”.

This system also allows for ‘home team theming’ assisted by two 300square metre LED video screens (which will be Australia’s largest when built) and approximately 2000 IPTV screens spread throughout the venue.

ANZ Stadium improved atmosphere intimate mode LED seats and curtains (Image: ANZ Stadium)

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Most notable, however, is that the redeveloped stadium will feature a retractable roof – capable of opening and closing within 20 minutes – allowing for consistent playing conditions and spectator comfort all year round.

Undoubtedly, having a closed-roof, international standard stadium is a something that Sydney has needed for quite some years.

ANZ Stadium retractable roof closed (Image: ANZ Stadium)

Proposed development to the stadium precinct will see a proposed dynamic entertainment zone encircle the stadium with new bars and restaurants being added to create a “vibrant event destination”.

ANZ Stadium new public fan concourse (Image: ANZ Stadium)

It is expected that the stadium will be able to function during the redevelopments, however, this will most likely be at a reduced capacity.

However, it is not just the stadium venue that will undergo redevelopment – a significant part of the $350 million will see improvements added to facilitates outside of the stadium as well as new transport links to the venue.

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For many, however, accessibility has been the stadium’s predominant detracting factor. To counter this perception stadium administration has joined with the State government to provide faster access to the stadium.

Coinciding with Phase 1 construction of the $3.5 billion West Connex motorway, transportation to the venue from the CBD will be cut in half, reports indicate.

Moreover, it is reported that “the NSW Government is also considering a proposal for a Light Rail corridor between Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park”.

ANZ Stadium retail and hospitality precinct (Image: ANZ Stadium)

Not only is the redevelopment beneficial for spectators on game day, the venue also has lasting benefits for the state’s economy.

In a report based on ANZ Stadium data for expected events and attendance, accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers has estimated the venue’s annual contribution to NSW’s economy is forecasted to increase from around $300 million to $474 million with the increased functionality.

The proposed developments to the famous stadium are most certainly needed and on paper address all concerns.

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But for now, and from artist impression, the venue looks likely to return to the international heights that it began at in 2000.

ANZ Stadium entertainment precinct 1 (Image: ANZ Stadium)

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