ANZ Stadium redevelopment plans revealed
The NSW Government have revealed new plans for the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium, which includes reducing its capacity to 70,000.
The $810 redevelopment will bring fans closer to the action, by converting the Olympic Stadium from an oval to a rectangular-shaped venue.
The stadium’s capacity will be reduced by approximately 15,000 and seating in the lower and middle sections will be remodelled so the seating bowl is steeper and gives people a better view of the field, while bringing them closer to the action.
Parts of the northern and southern sections of the roof will be replaced to ensure all seats will be covered and protected from rain, while the eastern and western sections will be extended.
New entrances will be built at the northern and southern ends which will also include large signs. High-definition video replay screens, LED lighting and other improvements will be included.
Facilities will also be given a major upgrade, including expanding food and beverage outlets, improving the toilets and introducing more female facilities, and upgrade change rooms.
As part of the upgrade, the corporate suites will be moved from level 3 to level 2.
The public have until October 23 to comment on the plans and can view them and make a submission via the NSW Government website.
Stadium Australia, as it was originally known, opened in 1999 and originally had a capacity of 110,000 for the Sydney Olympics. Initially, the NSW Government had planned to demolish the stadium and rebuild it from scratch, before deciding to redevelop it instead.
Work is expected to commence following the 2020 State of Origin, meaning the NRL Grand Final will be relocated for at least the next two years. While the SCG will host it next year, a venue for 2021 is yet to be determined.
The announcement of the new plans come as the city’s other major sports venue, Allianz Stadium, has been demolished and is awaiting a builder to be locked in to build its replacement.
