There has been plenty of talk about sporting venues in Sydney and its surrounds.
Some of the plans for some sporting venues in Sydney are great, some of them need work, and some of them need more explaining, especially in visual form to help convince me that they are viable projects.
Here is an explanation of planned stadium redevelopments, and my views on the proposed stadium redevelopments for sporting venues in Sydney.
ANZ Stadium
ANZ Stadium, also known as Stadium Australia, is planning a redevelopment that is a very futuristic, yet very realistic project that will certainly change the game in terms of what a stadium can offer its patrons and visitors.
In summary, they are planning to create a lively precinct that would be used on game days, as well as for daily use.
The stadium would have moveable end stands, which means the spectators at each end of the ground will be much closer to the action for rugby league, rugby union and football matches.
There would also be a state-of-the-art retractable roof, which can open and close in around 20 minutes, new public fan concourses, a members’ vertical village, and new experiences for corporate spectators.
Adding to this, theming of the stadium in home team colours on the outside of the stadium, and improved technology, with the ability to connect with fans over the internet, as well as order food right from your seat, creates a great experience for all sporting fans alike.
All of this is aimed at creating a much more intimate atmosphere for spectators and players, with the crowd capacity kept to its current standing of 80,000-plus spectators.
Adding to this, the new transport developments around ANZ Stadium will allow for much improved access to a stadium that will be regarded as one of the most technologically advanced multi-purpose stadiums in the world.
It would be the home of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs, host for State of Origin games and NRL grand finals, a home ground for the Wallabies and Socceroos and a possible home ground for the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants. It would also be a home ground for the Sydney Thunder and a host ground for Twenty20 internationals.
It would also be a ground that can host marquee and exhibition games for many different sports, and is capable of hosting world-class events, such as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championship, due to the ability to reconfigure the stadium.
Looking at the plans, it is something that I have never seen before, and I think it is the best thing I have ever seen.
This is a project that must happen, and if it does happen, ANZ Stadium could well become the best stadium by far in at least the southern hemisphere, if not the world. It could well be the best thing to happen in Australian sport.
Western Sydney
Despite the plans for ANZ Stadium, there is still the craving for another big stadium in the western suburbs of Sydney, with a seating capacity of more than 40,000 that can cater for your rectangular sports, such as football, rugby league and rugby union.
Many people have backed Pirtek Stadium, also known as Parramatta Stadium, as the perfect location. However, the estimated cost for the redevelopment of Pirtek Stadium is over $300 million.
Another option that almost everybody has seemed to have forgotten about is a proposed stadium at Blacktown. Blacktown Stadium, one of the proposed stadiums as a part of the failed 2022 FIFA World Cup bid, appears on paper to be a stadium that would meet the demands of the western suburbs of Sydney, a big stadium with a seating capacity of more than 40,000 that can cater for all of your rectangular sports.
However, the big unknown would be the cost to build a new stadium in Blacktown. If it costs equal or less to build a new stadium compared to redeveloping an existing stadium, such as Pirtek Stadium, it might be better building a new stadium, and creating new modern infrastructure instead of adapting old infrastructure to meet the demands the future may bring.
In my view, the proposed Blacktown Stadium is my preferred choice for a second big stadium in the western suburbs of Sydney. I believe that the Western Sydney Wanderers deserve their own modern stadium with their huge fan-base, regularly filling the smaller and less modern Pirtek Stadium to capacity.
The stadium would be primarily the home stadium for the Wanderers, and be another stadium that can host finals matches and occasional regular season matches in the NRL and other associated rugby league competitions, as well as host rugby union matches.
This plan can work.
Allianz Stadium
Seemingly in competition to the ANZ Stadium proposed redevelopment, there is a great push to redevelop or build a totally new stadium at the site of Allianz Stadium, also known as the Sydney Football Stadium.
However, there seems to be a conflict between key backers of a proposed redevelopment project for Allianz Stadium.
Some are saying that the seating capacity should be kept at its current figure, and are in favour of a clear transparent roof, likely made of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or ETFE, similar to the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin in New Zealand, creating a dome-like stadium and allowing for perfect weather conditions for each and every match.
Others are saying the seating capacity should be increased to 65,000, either through redevelopment, or by building a whole new stadium on the site of Allianz Stadium. It is not clear whether the stadium would be a dome, or have a retractable roof, or neither of these options.
However, what is clear is the desire to create an experience for fans of any sport, which was explained well by Ben Gibbon on The Roar earlier this year.
My view on the proposed project is that it could be a good project for this area of Sydney, however, it is probably not as good as the proposed ANZ Stadium development. I think the Allianz Stadium project details needs to be made clearer to everyone interested, and the plan fully showcased to convince people that the project is viable.
It appears clear that the main person driving for this project to go ahead is NRL boss David Smith, who wants rugby league’s biggest games to return home to a location closer to the Sydney CBD.
However, no matter which way they decide to go with this project, Allianz Stadium will be the home to the Sydney Roosters in the NRL, Sydney FC in the A-League, the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby and finals matches in rugby league.
Whether it will host bigger events in the future, such as State of Origin and the NRL grand final remains to be seen.
Brookvale Oval
Another interesting project being proposed is one at the home of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Brookvale Oval.
Manly club chairman Scott Penn wants to replicate AT&T Park, which is the home of the San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball in the United States on the current Brookvale Oval site.
Although I’m not sure that they could actually replicate AT&T Park exactly, the vision from Scott Penn of a multi-purpose stadium that can have a seating capacity of 40,000, with additional features, such as cafes and restaurants, as well as facilities underneath the stadium, is clear.
“I’ve been to San Francisco and spent a lot of time there and have been through the stadium,” Penn said.
“They created a precinct. In baseball they play a lot more games, about 60 TO 70 home games, so they get good utilisation. You don’t want a white elephant. You want to use it.
“We need to have 20,000 undercover seats. You want facilities underneath the stadium. There is a need for additional retail and commercial space. A residential hotel. We have to look at what makes it financially viable.”
This proposed project has great support from not only the Sea Eagles, but also the Central Coast Mariners and the North Harbour Rays in the National Rugby Championship.
I feel that this could potentially work. It may be hard to replicate AT&T Park, but the vision is there, and the proposed project has got support from key stakeholders in that area. So with the right treatment and support, this project can work.
Final thoughts
I think each of these options are viable, or with more work can be viable in the future. My favourite idea is the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium, but I think each of these options can work with the right infrastructure, finances and support.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Two things Cashola - i.e., they get a better deal ANd somewhat secondary a lot of their traditional fans have moved away from south Sydney itself as it becomes more and more gentrified.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Spot on about the cars thing. Our government isn't that interested in trying to persuade us out of them either. I am personally happy to walk long distances, and in fact at times I have walked either to concord or Flemington or homebush from Olympic park to avoid the big crowds at the train station there. The residential thing is key and gives it it's main potential I agree. However even if that is more developed, it will be still on the fringes of the precinct, i.e., not in the route of the majority of people coming by train or car. As I said above, maybe it's just me, but there is something about community that you get on the walk from parra to the stadium there or the walk through surry hills to the sfs that is difficult to just replicate.
AR
Guest
Cheers.
ZRock
Guest
Being from Perth I am not too well-versed in rugby league, but can anyone tell me why the Rabbitohs play their games at ANZ Stadium and not Allianz Stadium, when Allianz is much closer to their original fanbase?
tha Funkapotamus
Guest
40,000 seats at Brookvale? Maybe they are going to use them for advertising space? They could try that at Allianz also.
melbourneterrace
Guest
I've been there heaps and i will never go again unless it's an absolutely huge game. You've clearly never been to a good stadium if you think ANZ has any Great seats. It's utterly dreadful compared to Suncorp or AAMI Park and overseas stadiums of similar size like Westfalonstadion, Allianz Arena, the Bernabeu and Old Trafford (which is not great to start with)
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
My preference - sell off ANZ - sell off Allianz - rebuild Parra stadium to 40,000 - new 60,000 stadium at Barrangaroo
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I hear you. There's plenty of parking around the Olympic Park precinct, Even during state of Origin P1 will be full to capacity, but there are car parks nearby. The main issue is that these are all expensive. I also think Sydneysiders tend to have a bit of a love affair with cars. I know so many people that would rather drive for over an hour, than sit on a train for 40 minutes. This is a mindset that needs to be changed. As for your comments regarding the entertainment. I think SOP is being under utilised in this regard. If it had shopping centres, theatres etc, it could be a real hub for the West. With all the residential development going on in the area, I don't think it's that far-fetched to make happen.
ciudadmarron
Guest
From memory AZ is from B'Town, I'd be interested on his thoughts also. For mine, I think it would be great and I wouldn't complain. But I would prefer to remain at Parra because of the neighbourhood and what is there and how that is on gameday, even if it meant incremental upgrades (which, just quietly, is all we need at this stage and will help in keeping the demand stimulated while letting more people in). Not that blacktown town centre has quite the same ambience of parra anyway, but the Blacktown proposal was not near that anyway and would require an even bigger effort that what is needed at homebush to give the surrounding areas facilities that would cater for a gameday crowd suitably.
ciudadmarron
Guest
It's an indictment on the whole thing that there are always a pile of people parking in the back streets of auburn or concord west and then electing to walk from there just so they don't have to deal with parking at the joint itself or getting the train out of there. I'm sure having some other entertainment options there might improve things. I know this is a personal thing and I have no idea if anyone else thinks this way. But in terms of "entertainment options", I prefer a proper living breathing neighbourhood that operates day in and day out rather than one that is created for big events only. So I happily go to parra, And I happily go to Cleveland st too for that matter, not just on game days. When people both live and work in the area, and frequent it even when there isn't an event on, it has a feeling and atmosphere that appeals to me - and come game day, it's even better. You are in a community and the event is part of that community. Whereas, at homebush, you just don't get that... and I don't believe we will. It's a wasteland. Putting an extra few pubs that have no-one in them except a few workers through the week and are built to deal with thousands of people for one off events, which no doubt will be expensive because they don't have to compete with anything else while people wait for trains or traffic to clear... I just don't see it.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Fine. Perhaps "fit-for-purpose" might not have been the best term. But you are wrong to say public expectation has nothing to do with it. When a big international event is looking for a venue, they are going to look for something that is not just big, but will do the event justice. New stadia and newly redeveloped stadia are being equipped with things such as roofs, wi-fi and "order to your seat" capabilities. It won't be long before these luxuries are considered standard, like availability of food and drink. If Australia's premier stadium can't offer these, then it is desperate need of an upgrade. I never said that the stadium is falling into disrepair, but if no body is spending money on it, then what do you think is going to happen? I disagree in regards to your view about government obligation. Our government is obligated to provide infrastructure that serves the Australian people. There is no question whether they will get equity for their investment.
AR
Guest
Look, without geting into semantics... "When I say ‘fit for purpose’ I’m referring to meeting what the public expects. This can include comfortable seating for example" - Sorry, public expectation has nothing to do with fitness for purpose. Perceived notions of comfort don't come into it at all. All seating at ANZ is perfectly fit for hosting 83,500 people at a sporting event. "So if ANZ stadium was falling into disrepair, you think the government would just say “hey, it’s not our responsibility…”?" - First, the stadium's not falling into disrepair. Second, the government may choose to commit some funding in exchange for equity (and it might be in their interest to do so) but it's not the governmen's *obligation*, that's the distinction I was making. The legal responsibility lies with the owner. This is all sounding a bit pedantic but I think it helps to clarify these issues.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Drummoyne Wharf is 15-20mins walk away. But I do agree that Victoria Rd is a nightmare.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I'd still rather get the train than drive. Traffic going into the ground is usually pretty horrendous, the parking is expensive and the queue to get out of the carpark rivals the train queue. If there were a few hotels around the place I'd be happy to have a beer or two before getting the train home.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
"they currently are fit-for-purpose, it’s just that people want them to be bigger and better" When I say 'fit for purpose' I'm referring to meeting what the public expects. This can include comfortable seating for example. Moreover, these expectations change over time. For instance, sitting on bench seating would've been perfectly acceptable 50 years ago, now not so much. If stadia are not continuously updated and modernised, they will not attract big events and fall into disrepair. "no, that’s the stadium owner’s obligation" So if ANZ stadium was falling into disrepair, you think the government would just say "hey, it's not our responsibility..."? They have a responsibility to ensure that NSW has a world class stadium. To use a comparison, the government is often expected to bail out private businesses, like Toyota plants or Qantas. These are privately owned enterprises, but they play an important role in the economy. Their demise has a flow on affect. Of course a Stadium's owner should come to the party, but the government has a responsibility to ensure the country's premier stadium does not fall into disrepair.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Epiquin: I couldn't agree with you more. The congestion around the station after a big game is horrendous - it would only take one or two people to fall and ...well I won't go there. I will never, ever take the train to ANZ. The worst infrastructure for any stadium in Oz I reckon & I am surprised more Roarers haven't commented on this before
Someguy
Guest
It might be generalizing but you can't deny that whenever the topic of ANZ comes up the negative comments always outweigh the positive. Case in point, this thread where there's only a couple of positive comments. I did say that ANZ is suitable for big events like the Super 15 and NRL finals because those are events that Sydneysiders will go out of their way to attend. To be honest no matter what happens with the Stadium strategy, unless there's also a cultural shift then crowds will remain average. Sydneysiders (besides maybe Swan fans?) just aren't passionate about attending live sport unless it's hyped up in the media.
AR
Guest
I won't rehash too much of this, cos weve debated this issue before. But 2 quick comments: "the government has an obligation to make sure stadiums are fit-for-purpose (they currently are fit-for-purpose, it's just that people want them to be bigger and better), even if they are privately operated (no, that's the stadium owner's obligation)" "If the government were to ask, say, the NRL to contribute, they would simply argue that if the FFA and ARU aren’t contributing, then why should they?" (the should because it would give the NRL, amongst other things - a) greater access and priority to the stadium; b) better tenancy deals for the clubs; c) a slice of concert revenue and other events; d) a stake in an asset that allows the NRL to borrow if it wants to; e) possibly a greater say in food/drink contracts.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Agreed. However I think there is an issue with queuing for the station after games. While people tend to filter in steadily before the game, having them all leave at once can be a bit of a downer after a great game. However I think this can be solved by: 1) more bars, restaurants and entertainment in the precinct. This would allow people to do something while they wait for the queues to go. 2) A second station for Olympic Park. If everyone travelling West went to one station, and everyone travelling East went to another, it could make the journey a lot easier. Perhaps eventually it could be linked to the North West rail link. I understand this is pretty pie-in-the sky stuff but a man can dream. 3) The proposed light rail between Parramatta and Strathfield via Olympic Park gives people another option.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Support as in "Sure. If you build a new stadium we'd love to come and play there..."