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.
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”.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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”.
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.
But for now, and from artist impression, the venue looks likely to return to the international heights that it began at in 2000.
Craig Watson
Guest
The Olympic Stadium is a world class sports stadium. I was lucky enough to see several sports live in Sydney 2000 and I will cherish this as one the highlights of my life. I was so proud of our spectacular stadium then and will remain so in the future.
Craig Watson
Guest
If cricket is not played at the Olympic Stadium it is a waste of money putting on a roof. Cricket is the only sport where wet weather can call off play. All other proposed sports are unaffected by rain.
Renegade
Guest
Obviously you're not great readers, AR and co. Clearly stated above if the upgrades go ahead.... it would be the best stadium going around. "If it looks as good as the photos, it will regain its previous status as the best stadium in Australia" If my 4 year old nephew can understand that, I'm sure you lot can.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
" Proper sporting atmosphere requires a playing surface surrounded evenly by grandstands. " this will happen under this proposal- quoted from the proposal: Because of the flexibility of moving the end-stands, the front row of seats behind the dead ball or goal line will be closer than that at Allianz Stadium, Suncorp Stadium and the iconic Emirates and Wembley stadiums in London. and The new end-stands will offer significantly improved viewing as they are steeper than the current seating at the Stadium.
AR
Guest
"Best stadium for Football and Rugby" Well, you guys must be the only people in Australia that think ANZ is a better rectangular stadium than Suncorop or AAMI Park.
Ken
Guest
I live on the upper North Shore, I can tell you that Moore Park is a nightmare for me, I have to really, really want to see the game to brave that mess. Eastern suburbs folk would prefer Moore park, of course they would, it's right next door to them, they are only a fairly small % of Sydney though and they get plenty go their way so we can probably live with them missing out here.
Ken
Guest
'Other venues like the SFS and Parra have been waiting for major upgrades since the 1980s' At the risk of nitpicking, both of those venues were only opened in the second half of the 80's. I suppose you could make a claim that they've needed major upgrades since opening...
Ken
Guest
It's in the demographic and geographic centre of the biggest city in the country, not the back of Bourke
Rob9
Guest
That wasn't meant to be taken literally. I'm very aware of the snowballs that would need to set up shop in hell for the AFL to move their grand final out of Melbourne. Just pointing to the fact that there is nothing on the calendar that suggests Sydney needs to cater for an 'oval event' that would attract a crowd in excess of what the SCG can handle.
Rob9
Guest
I'm not and I wasn't comparing CenturyLink Field to ANZ, but what you're describing for your ultimate fan experience ('a playing surface surrounded evenly by grandstands') is nothing like the case at CenturyLink Field which has the reputation for the best atmosphere in the NFL.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Ahh, The Roar subeditors. Headline says 'ANZ Stadium to undergo $350 million redevelopment' Actual story ... ANZ Stadium owners have hired designer to do design, money not yet found. Fire them now.
Shaun
Guest
Doesn't address the real issue with ANZ, most of the seating is too far from the field. This won't fix it. Look at Newlands rugby stadium as an example, so much better.
Shouts Chen
Guest
The thing is the low crowds at ANZ Stadium for AFL Matches.
Mitcher
Guest
Equally astonishing that anyone is so devoted to defending the honour of a hunk of concrete they had no responsibility in building.
melbourneterrace
Guest
The MCG is rubbish for everything that isn't AFL or Cricket
Martin
Guest
Don't worry about the AFL moving their grand final match to Sydney whilst Victoria has two more teams than the other states combined. The Victorian clubs have a majority and wouldn't want to sacrifice the economic benefit the event gives to Melbourne.
yewonk
Guest
This is not going to happen the fans have voted totally against this stadium in the last ten years.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yes very familiar with CenturyLink. The design is very very different to Olympic in the sense that the two side stands are much closer and steeper. Also, the seating very nearly goes all the way around at a considerable height, again different to Olympic. Stadiums like Millennium in Cardiff, Bernabeu in Madrid, Allianz Arena in Munich, Old Trafford in Manchester and Schalke's home in Gelsenkirchen are the standard setters for rectangular stadiums. I won't even start with US football stadiums. The difference in design and quality between those stadiums and the Olympic Stadium is enormous. Sydney is one of the few cities where 3 rectangular field sports are very popular (arguably the top 3), we deserve one of the best rectangular stadiums in the world. What we have now and what we might have after $350M is nowhere near that level.
Domitian
Guest
Best stadium for Football and Rugby, is it really that hard to comprehend?
Rob9
Guest
Looks great! Agree with those who are in favour of a permanent rectangular seating formation. Unless the AFL decides to move the grand final to Sydney, the SCG has got the city covered for those major events requiring an oval. I don't believe it's worth sacrificing the atmosphere and the level of crowd fulfillment at the huge number of rugby league, rugby union and soccer games played there each year for the odd Swans game that manages to crack 50,000. Talking of grand finals, if ANZ is offline for the duration of the 2017 season or the seating is cut while renovations occur, I hope the NRL takes the opportunity to hold a GF at Suncorp. The last time a grand final (of sorts) was held north of the border it involved my team and they haven't been in one since so hopefully a Brissie GF is a good omen.... plus Suncorp's much more handy to me these days.