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When NSW Premier Mike Baird put $1.6 billion on the table some months ago it was a genuine attempt to bridge the gap between Sydney and Melbourne sporting facilities.
Bridge the gap best describes the exercise, as Melbourne is the undisputed sporting capital of the country. They have the MCG; across the railway line Melbourne Park which is the tennis home of the country and the Australian Open; Albert Park, the home of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix; Flemington, the home of the Melbourne Cup; and the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, one of seven sand-belt courses in the Victorian capital that are revered throughout the world.
Sydney has the 2000 Olympic Stadium, currently named ANZ Stadium, the SCG, the home of the Sydney Swans in the winter, and the odd games of cricket in the summer, and next door Allianz Stadium, virtually the old Sydney Sports Ground – and that’s pretty much it in terms of world class facilities.
Sydney is way way behind.
But with $1.6 billion, there’s a chance to bridge the gap if the money is wisely spent.
And that’s the problem.
Yesterday, like a bolt from the blue, Premier Baird has allotted $700 million to turning ANZ Stadium from an oval into a rectangular field with a 70,000 crowd capacity, adding a retractable roof, and improving food and drink facilities.
The Premier has further allocated $350 million to build a new stadium at Parramatta, levelling Pirtek Stadium, and $400 million to refurbish Allianz Stadium.
ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park as it was known in 2000, hosted the greatest Games of all but you are flogging a dead horse with ANZ as it’s now known – it’s a white elephant.
Having said that, by all means make the playing surface rectangular which would cater for three of the four codes, with the Sydney Swans more than happy to be housed at the SCG.
What would have been far more beneficial would be to build a 70,000 capacity on Crown Land across the road from Allianz, and put in a rail link from Central.
While that’s being built, the Roosters, Waratahs, and Sydney FC would continue to use Allianz as their home ground. Once the new stadium at Moore Park is built, level Allianz and return it to parklands, featuring Kippax Lake.
As the current concept sits, the east, north, and south of Sydney have been short changed without a world-class winter ground.
Retain the current concept of a new Parramatta Stadium to cater for 30,000 to 35,000 giving the west two grounds, and the east one if Allianz is upgraded.
But I have a sneaking suspicion the $1.6 billion will be gone before Allianz’s turn surfaces.
If the recent past is any indication, how the Premier spends the $1.6 billion is anyone’s guess.
Yesterday’s announcement sure isn’t set in concrete, so it will be fascinating watching it unfold.
Especially if the major ANZ revamp goes ahead and the Premier’s wish to seal off ANZ until it’s completed occurs.
That means at least two NRL grand finals will have to be played elsewhere.
Both the Queensland and Victorian Governments have already put in a bid, and there’s always the SCG, where the greater majority of rugby league deciders have been played.
It’s interesting times ahead for Australia’s largest city.