Parra Stadium Porn (Now Parramatta Upgrade Thread)

[HoldenV8]

You know what I hate about this? That the Wanderers come in and suddenly Parramatta Stadium is looking at yet more government money for yet another upgrade.....all the while Brookvale Oval (other than the 20 metre extension of the Jane Try Stand in early 2012) continues to be an embarrassment and nothing gets done. I bet if the Wanderers had been based on the Northern Beaches and played out of Brookie (and drawing similar crowds as now go to Parramatta during the A-League season - yeah I know, that's a long shot given the area), the government wouldn't be able to throw money at it fast enough.

Sorry, it just irks me that no matter what happens, smaller stadiums around Sydney (Parra, Kogarah, Sharks etc) continue to get government money for significant re-developments while places like Brookvale continue to be ignored for nothing more than being unlucky enough to be located within a safe political seat where they see no need to have to 'buy' votes.

I will say this (and I don't expect anyone to agree) - if the Wanderers are finding Parramatta Stadium too small, go any play at ANZ (still in western Sydney). There are better things to spend money on than another 4 or 5,000 seats for a stadium that really doesn't need it.

[dibo]

I think Parra's the only one of Sydney's small grounds that warranted any money - even as a St George supporter I can't justify the Kogarah cash for 6 games a year, even Wollongong is a stretch (though it potentially will host an A-League side within a decade), but Parra's in a great location and will now have effectively a game every second week all year round.

[gyfox]

You know what I hate about this? That the Wanderers come in and suddenly Parramatta Stadium is looking at yet more government money for yet another upgrade.....all the while Brookvale Oval (other than the 20 metre extension of the Jane Try Stand in early 2012) continues to be an embarrassment and nothing gets done. I bet if the Wanderers had been based on the Northern Beaches and played out of Brookie (and drawing similar crowds as now go to Parramatta during the A-League season - yeah I know, that's a long shot given the area), the government wouldn't be able to throw money at it fast enough.

Sorry, it just irks me that no matter what happens, smaller stadiums around Sydney (Parra, Kogarah, Sharks etc) continue to get government money for significant re-developments while places like Brookvale continue to be ignored for nothing more than being unlucky enough to be located within a safe political seat where they see no need to have to 'buy' votes.

I will say this (and I don't expect anyone to agree) - if the Wanderers are finding Parramatta Stadium too small, go any play at ANZ (still in western Sydney). There are better things to spend money on than another 4 or 5,000 seats for a stadium that really doesn't need it.

The current NSW Government produced a stadia strategy last year to drive the provision of suitable stadia in the state into the future. That strategy highlights the fact that there are too many Tier 2 stadiums in Sydney (8 in total) and that they will only fund works on 2 from now on. One of those, the Sydney Showgrounds, has already been upgraded and will be extremely low on the list for any additional works. The second of those is proposed to be in Western Sydney and will be either an upgrade of an existing stadium or a new build. Each of the 3 existing Tier 2 stadiums in Western Sydney have been pushed forward by interested parties to be the Tier 2 stadium chosen for development. These are, Parramamatta Stadium, Campbelltown Stadium and Penrith Stadium. Additionally Liverpool Council has expressed interest that a new stadium be built either in the centre of Liverpool itself or the Western Parklands. As fas as I am aware the NSW Government has yet to commit to any of these as being the ultimate Tier 2 provision for Western Sydney.

With regard to Parramatta Stadium it has simply agreed to release the the $6m previously provided for the Southern Grandstand project to Stage 1 of the new Master Plan for the stadium which will be mainly funded by the $20m from the Feds.

A Tier 2 stadium is defined as having between 20k and 40k capacity and being able to be upgraded as required to meet the current and short to medium term needs.

Under this strategy Brookvale, Endeavour, Jubilee and Leichhardt will not receive any further funding from the State Government. Of Campbelltown, Penrith and Parramatta at most only one of these venues will receive funding.

The push for Parramatta to be named as the Tier 2 stadium to be developed by the State Government is being made on the basis that it has the multiple tenants, is located beside an entertainment precinct and has good public transport provision all of which are required in the Stadium Strategy. Attendance at the ground at 300k last season puts it well ahead of Penrith 130k and Campbelltown 65k.

My personal view is that the Strategy is flawed in that it does not take enough account of the tradition of region based teams playing within their region but I accept that to stick with that would mean fans continuing to have far inferior match day experience to those in other mainland capital cities.

http://www.communities.nsw.gov.au/asset ... y_2012.pdf

[the crow]

Its the M4 axis of stadiums....splitting Sydney down the guts.... Parramatta stadium is pivotal for the development of the precinct allowing it to increase density, it's a transport node and growth area of Sydney.

Penrith is getting a major indoor training venue as well.

But back to the wanderers.....they should like their name sake....play out of multiple western Sydney venues sharing the love and spoils of their success.

[bazza]

A further $9 million has been provided for the upgrade of Parramatta Stadium. Fairfax Media can reveal the state government will provide a $6 million grant, while Parramatta City Council has pledged $3 million.

The total committed is now $29 million after the federal government allocated $20 million last month towards a refurbishment for the home of the Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers.

''It will increase the capacity with the addition of 4000 seats to the north and south end of the terraces and improve player facilities which are about 28 years old,'' Parramatta MP Geoff Lee said. ''It will also result in an extension to the training field to the full size.''

The funding announcement is timely news for the Eels, who will collect consecutive wooden spoons. There will be another positive off-field announcement soon with confirmation of Fantastic Furniture as the club's new major sponsor.
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The state government has signalled a policy towards stadium consolidation, with the options of building a new stadium in western Sydney or upgrading an existing venue. Lee is pushing for the latter in the hope of transforming Parramatta Stadium into a 35,000-seat facility and community precinct.

''I will advocate for a whole part of the precinct to be devoted to a community sports hub,'' he said. ''We want the precinct to be built so during game day the area doesn't stop. Instead of building a new stadium somewhere else, why not locate one where people want to go.''

The Eels have shifted their round 25 match against the Dragons from ANZ Stadium to Parramatta Stadium, considering the likelihood of a small turnout at the larger venue. The Monday night fixture is their last home game of the season.

''This week is member-appreciation round at the Eels, and this venue change will let our Eels members and fans enjoy the last home game of the season in the place where they feel most at home,'' interim chief Matt Phelan said. ''This has been a tough season, and the support of our Eels members has been incredible, so we hope to see a good turn out by the Blue and Gold Army as we say thank you for that.''

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z2dDfL1AEo

[yob]

^^ That's great news about Fantastic Furniture.

[gyfox]

I'm not sure why SMH think the $9m is news. Its been known since the Feds tipped in their $20m. The $6m from the State Government is what they have been holding over from the previous allocation for the Southern Grandstand project. News might be that the Coalition is rumoured to be going to tip in another $10m as an election promise. Not much time left for that to happen now though. If they did that would provide the amount required for Stage 1 of the project detailed in the Stadium Master Plan.

[bazza]

Thread should be renamed 'Pirtek Stadium Upgrade Thread'

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The Parramatta Eels' spiritual home at Parramatta Stadium has a new name, with Pirtek signing the stadium's first-ever naming rights deal!

Pirtek have signed a five year deal with Venues NSW with an option to extend as naming rights partners at Parramatta Stadium.

Gabrielle Upton, Minister for Sport and Recreation says it's an exciting announcement for the future of the stadium.

"I am delighted to welcome Pirtek on board as the first ever naming rights sponsor of this iconic sporting ground," Ms Upton said.

"With a long history as home of the Parramatta Eels, the Stadium is continuing to attract record crowds with the Western Sydney Wanderers as co-tenants."

"This adds up to mean significant economic benefits for Western Sydney local businesses, with the flow-on effect of ticket sales and visitor spending."

Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee, says it's an appropriate partnership.

"It's exciting for this unique and much-loved community asset with over 260,000 people having walked through the gates over the 2012-13 season," Mr Lee said.

"Plans on the $29m redevelopment are well underway, and Pirtek's slogan is very appropriate as they have moved from the Parramatta Eels jersey sponsors to Stadium naming rights sponsor."

Pirtek CEO Stephen Dutton said, "Pirtek commenced its business in Western Sydney 33 years ago and whilst expanding both nationally and internationally, it is still our spiritual homeland."

"Branding on this iconic stadium in a long-term deal with Venues NSW was a logical step for us."

"We have been privileged to enjoy a great association with the Parramatta Eels over the last nine years and look forward to staying close with the club, which has some of the best supporters in the NRL."

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news-display/eels/85724

[gyfox]

Thread should be renamed 'Pirtek Stadium Upgrade Thread'

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The Parramatta Eels' spiritual home at Parramatta Stadium has a new name, with Pirtek signing the stadium's first-ever naming rights deal!

Pirtek have signed a five year deal with Venues NSW with an option to extend as naming rights partners at Parramatta Stadium.

Gabrielle Upton, Minister for Sport and Recreation says it's an exciting announcement for the future of the stadium.

"I am delighted to welcome Pirtek on board as the first ever naming rights sponsor of this iconic sporting ground," Ms Upton said.

"With a long history as home of the Parramatta Eels, the Stadium is continuing to attract record crowds with the Western Sydney Wanderers as co-tenants."

"This adds up to mean significant economic benefits for Western Sydney local businesses, with the flow-on effect of ticket sales and visitor spending."

Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee, says it's an appropriate partnership.

"It's exciting for this unique and much-loved community asset with over 260,000 people having walked through the gates over the 2012-13 season," Mr Lee said.

"Plans on the $29m redevelopment are well underway, and Pirtek's slogan is very appropriate as they have moved from the Parramatta Eels jersey sponsors to Stadium naming rights sponsor."

Pirtek CEO Stephen Dutton said, "Pirtek commenced its business in Western Sydney 33 years ago and whilst expanding both nationally and internationally, it is still our spiritual homeland."

"Branding on this iconic stadium in a long-term deal with Venues NSW was a logical step for us."

"We have been privileged to enjoy a great association with the Parramatta Eels over the last nine years and look forward to staying close with the club, which has some of the best supporters in the NRL."

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news-display/eels/85724

Interesting line in the Telegraph's report is :-

Mr Dutton also hinted there may be a small announcement with the Western Sydney Wanderers soon. - See more at: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslo ... DlNHi.dpuf

[gyfox]

It was mentioned at the Wanderers members forum last night that the upgrade work will start before the end of this A-League season with commencement of work on the training field at the southern end.

A club representative also mentioned that they were looking at making it a "smart stadium" like Eden Park. Any ideas of what they meant by that because the person reporting on the meeting didn't know?

[yob]

Tagging something as Smart means to expect a budget overrun and not to criticise local government.

[Orel Puppington]

No matter what Parramatta Stadium is called, I shall for the rest of my life call it Parramatta Stadium. Hurry up with that new stand already!

[Spirit of Santos]

Has been mentioned on the WestSydneyFootball.com forum that a number of individual rail type seats used in the design of safe standing areas have been installed in different bays at Parramatta. It's fair enough to assume that the reason is to test the installation method, and see how they hold up over a season. Will try and source pics of them.

So it seems that Lyall Gorman's statements on investigating the viability of convertible safe-standing areas were serious and not just playing to the gallery.

So the porn aspect of this thread continues. Ohh a terrace end at Parramatta, that's it baby, yeah, just like that

[Spirit of Santos]

The existing upgrade plan obviously doesn't account for rail seats. If they did the whole Northern End with them (unlikely I guess) that has the potential to change to capacity on the next upgrade from just under 24k to 26k+

The current plan for expanding the Northern end just basically involves using the Hill behind the billboards as the foundations for extra bays of seats. I'd like to see the whole North end demolished and a proper stand with an appropriate rake built for safe standing. That's the only way to get the most out of what rail seating can offer.

[gyfox]

DA has been submitted for the Eastern, Southern and Northern stand work. Western and Training ground were submitted some time ago.

http://eplanning.parracity.nsw.gov.au/P ... ?id=349771

I've had a quick look through the drawings and my only comment is "what was in the brief"? It doesn't look like the next stage of a master planned upgrade leading to a 32k Tier 2 stadium to me. It looks more like the final stage of a cheap fix to keep someone quiet. There is certainly no consideration of the viewing needs for football. It simply expands the viewing experience of the existing stadium which is designed around the needs of Rugby League. Does Hassell have much experience in stadium design?