The Daily Telegraph has reported that Parramatta Stadium will receive a $30 million dollar upgrade.
A $30 million refurbishment of Parramatta Stadium will be announced by the Federal Government this week. The funding will increase the ground capacity by at least 5000 and improve corporate facilities for the Eels and the Western Sydney.
Opinion:
This is a welcome change from the 100's of millions of dollars that other sports, most specifically the AFL, have received in the past several years.
Parramatta Stadium is an intimate setting that is sorely lacking in modern facilities.
Supporters of the Wanderers have watched the AFL receive upwards of $120 million dollars in federal, state and local government funding for the creation of two stadiums, payments for playing in Canberra & Wagga Wagga, as well as training facilities and other government relationships for the Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL team. With leaders of that club denigrating the Wanderers, people have questioned the ongoing support for the Victorian code, and especially the lack of funding for the World Game in Western Sydney.
In the corridors of Government, Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop, Wanderers CEO Lyall Gorman and people linked to the Parramatta Eels rugby league club have been lobbying the Government for funding to improve our stadium. With an election looming there was speculation that the Government had stashed a half-billion dollar 'war chest' for 'unannounced' funding that could be used at Parramatta. If the report is true it looks likely that the funding will come from there.
A 5,000 increase in capacity would mean a stadium capacity over 25,000, although it is unknown exactly where those seats would be located. It would also cement Parramatta as the Wanderers stadium for the medium term, and also help those from the Eels who do not want to play matches at ANZ.
WestSydneyFootball.Com will keep you updated when further news comes to hand.
In other news, the NSW Government launched a Community Relations Commission initiative with the Wanderers that will work with the Mount Druitt Police and Citizens Youth Club, to promote culturally inclusive football events, three nights a week for the next year.
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