Bulldogs fans will be among the big winners in a planned $350 million redevelopment of their home ground ANZ Stadium. Here is an update on the redevelopment.
A FULLY covered arena with a retractable roof, a reconfigured lower seating bowl that brings fans as close as 5m to the action, and new bars, cafes and restaurants both inside and outside the Stadium.
The Bulldogs’ home ground ANZ Stadium will become one of the world’s most cutting-edge sporting venues under a design transformation devised by an international construction consortium.
Stadium Australia Operations Pty Ltd, operator of ANZ Stadium, expects to be in a position in the near future to announce the consortium chosen to redevelop the venue that was purpose-built for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Construction giants Brookfield Multiplex and Laing O’Rourke were among consortiums that made a shortlist following a process in which companies were invited to express interest in redeveloping ANZ Stadium and its surrounding precinct at Sydney Olympic Park.
Brookfield Multiplex and Laing O’Rourke have both provided detailed designs, outlined full costs of the proposed scope of works, provided construction methodology, and a full timing schedule for the construction process
“The design concepts we have seen from the two construction consortiums are exceptional and will provide Sydney with one of the greatest multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadiums in the world,” Mr Kerry said.
“We hope to be in a position soon to announce the winning consortium and at least some of the design concepts for the redevelopment, which should generate a lot of excitement.
“With the Bulldogs a long-term tenant here at ANZ Stadium, it is their Members and fans who will benefit enormously from this redevelopment, as it is their stadium as much as ours.”
As part of the redevelopment process, Stadium Australia Operations is working closely with the NSW Government and has consulted with all its key event partners, including the Bulldogs.
Subject to securing the necessary funding, it is hoped construction works can begin as early as 2016
The major features of the redevelopment are:
· A rectractable roof that will weather-proof the Bulldogs’ games, and all major sporting and entertainment events at the Stadium;
· A reconfiguration of the lower seating bowl that will bring fans as close as 5m to the field of play at the northern and southern ends of the Stadium through the installation of moveable grandstands and creating a perfect rectangle for rugby league;
· New and refurbished spectator facilities including additional viewing terraces, restaurants, bars and eateries;
· A dramatic redevelopment of the precinct outside the Stadium, including new entertainment zones, bars, cafes and restaurants for patrons to enjoy before and after events.
WestConnex – the transport game-changer for sports fans heading
to ANZ Stadium
The redevelopment of ANZ Stadium will be part of a transformation of western Sydney planned by the NSW and Federal Governments.
WestConnex is the largest transport project in Australia – a 33km continuous motorway that will transform Sydney and provide game-changing access to ANZ Stadium.
Work will commence early 2015 on the $3.5 billion Stage 1 of WestConnex, which will link the CBD (via the City West Link at Haberfield) to Parramatta in a continuous, traffic-light-free motorway.
Sports fans – and again Bulldogs fans specifically – are going to be among the great beneficiaries of this project.
An Industry Engagement Briefing predicts that travelling time from the city to ANZ Stadium could be cut in half, with fans travelling on four lanes to Sydney Olympic Park, bypassing more than 30 sets of traffic lights and removing the need to use Parramatta Road at any stage.
There will be an improved access ramp in to Sydney Olympic Park and a new exit ramp that will ensure a much faster departure from ANZ Stadium post events. The city to ANZ Stadium road improvements are expected to be completed as early as 2017.
There could be even faster traffic access if a campaign to include a westbound off-ramp from WestConnex to access Sydney Olympic Park and its 10,000 parking spaces via Hill Road is successful. This will further improve access to the Stadium by lessening traffic though Centennial Drive and top and from the Canterbury-Bankstown area. The currently proposed eastbound ramp off Hill Road will whisk motorists from ANZ Stadium on to WestConnex after events.
Sydney Olympic Park is poised to experience monumental growth over the next 10 years, with two Urban Activation Zones bringing new atmosphere to the precinct both before and after events.
As many as 33,000 residents plus significant commercial buildings, including shops, cafes, bars, eateries & restaurants, are planned or the Sydney Olympic Park precinct and immediate surrounds.
Improvements already underway at ANZ Stadium
The Stadium has recently:
· Opened a new $2 million Practice Facility on the western side on the Stadium, which operates as a cricket practice facility in summer and a football warm-up ground and fan engagement area in winter.
· In March 2014 became the first Stadium in Australasia to introduce free Wi-Fi to all fans throughout the venue;
· In conjunction with the Bulldogs and the NRL, introduced free train travel for Members and match-day ticketholders to Sydney Olympic Park for all games;
· Opened its new Centreline Seats Bar & Lounge, with access to the premium Centreline Seats. This is the first step in the plan to create more meet & greet destinations both inside and outside the Stadium across all seating categories.
More than 20 million fans have passed through the Stadium gates over the past 15 years to witness many of Australia’s greatest sports and entertainment events – and many of the Bulldogs’ finest moments, including their spectacular winning run to the 2012 NRL Grand Final.
The Bulldogs have been playing at least some of their club games at the Stadium since 1999, and made it a permanent base in 2006.
ANZ Stadium welcomes feedback from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Members and fans. What improvements would you like to see carried out as part of the Stadium Redevelopment Project? Please write to: masterplan@anzstadium.com.au; or engage with @ANZStadium on Twitter or Facebook using the hashtag #OurOlympicStadium.
