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The New South Wales government has had enough of ploughing funds into stadiums that are starting to show their age.
NSW Sports Minister Graham Annesley wants to direct resources to major venues rather than local grounds and it makes sense.
Western Sydney is home to several boutique venues that cost time and money to keep open.
Annesley is looking at a dwindling pile of cash and although Parramatta Stadium and Leichhardt Oval might bring out the sporting romantic in all of us, budgets are based on the reality of the landscape.
Codes are starting to mine the goldfield created by Sydney’s urban sprawl and it’s time a world class solution was put in place to service the area.
Over the next three months the state government will investigate whether a new stadium should be strategically placed in western Sydney.
The region is crying out for a 40,000 seater rectangle stadium and it needs to happen soon.
It wouldn’t be a giant white elephant sitting dormant and gathering dust.
In winter, the Wests Tigers, Parramatta, Bulldogs and Penrith could all make use of the new arena with some creative scheduling.
Location would be hotly debated and its final resting place wouldn’t please everyone, but the alternative is to play at ANZ Stadium.
Part of the magic of live sport is atmosphere.
ANZ Stadium is as lively as any other arena in the world at State of Origin and grand final time, but it’s not the answer during the home and away season.
It’s a good alternative for regional blockbusters, but surely in time, one stadium would make more logistical and financial sense than three.
Importantly, the stadium would have a tenant during the summer.
The Western Sydney Wanderers have turned Parramatta Stadium into a red and black fortress.
Singing and chanting punctuates the game day experience with a wide demographic filling the seats.
They’ve exceeded expectations in their first season in the A-League and growth will follow on the back of this unexpected success.
The club has managed to engage the region in a way that would’ve surprised even the biggest footballing optimist.
If the Wanderers continue on their current trajectory will they still be able to fit into Parramatta Stadium in 10-years?
Negotiating a good stadium deal should also be easier with so many teams potentially wanting to use it.
Leaving behind a home ground doesn’t mean abandoning identity.
The Wests Tigers currently train at Concord and play at the Sydney Football Stadium, Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown.
The constant wandering could be considered more harmful than helpful to the brand.
Things clearly can’t stay the same. The government won’t allow it.
Change is coming. It’s time everyone got on board.
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