Parramatta Stadium To Be Rebuilt!

I love that we've been able to pick Flytox brain, and look at Gazmons designs as hypotheticals.. now we can do it with a bit more certainty.

The best argument, which needs to be worded more strategically, is that if we have safe standing, it'll stop people from standing on the seats. For as long as you have seats that are there available for people to sit on, there's a percentage that will use them to stand on.

I love that we've been able to pick Flytox brain, and look at Gazmons designs as hypotheticals.. now we can do it with a bit more certainty.

We need someone with the skills to make a model like this.

 

I love that we've been able to pick Flytox brain, and look at Gazmons designs as hypotheticals.. now we can do it with a bit more certainty.

We need someone with the skills to make a model like this.

 

 

That's stunning!!  AAMI??

I would like the stadium to be scalable though... So if we need to upgrade to 40-45k in another 20 years time...

 

 

I love that we've been able to pick Flytox brain, and look at Gazmons designs as hypotheticals.. now we can do it with a bit more certainty.

We need someone with the skills to make a model like this.

 

Similar to AAMI park?

 

 

I love that we've been able to pick Flytox brain, and look at Gazmons designs as hypotheticals.. now we can do it with a bit more certainty.

We need someone with the skills to make a model like this.

 

 

 

That's stunning!!  AAMI??

 

Yes but I'm not sure whether it was done when it was going to be 20,000 or the final 30,050 capacity.  A good white model goes a long way in a presentation to a client.

 

 

 

I love that we've been able to pick Flytox brain, and look at Gazmons designs as hypotheticals.. now we can do it with a bit more certainty.

We need someone with the skills to make a model like this.

 

 

 

That's stunning!!  AAMI??

 

Yes but I'm not sure whether it was done when it was going to be 20,000 or the final 30,050 capacity.

 

 A good white model goes a long way in a presentation to a client.

Hahaha... I'm not surprised!!

Is it just me, or does anyone else hate that roof?

Is it just me, or does anyone else hate that roof?

I hope it's just you, West!   

The best argument, which needs to be worded more strategically, is that if we have safe standing, it'll stop people from standing on the seats. For as long as you have seats that are there available for people to sit on, there's a percentage that will use them to stand on.

This is a really good point, at the very least a strong argument to have flip seats at a minimum behind the goals 

Westie Scum Stadium.

I would like the stadium to be scalable though... So if we need to upgrade to 40-45k in another 20 years time...

Just like they "scale up" roads like the M2.... and whichever other big road they're scaling up soon??

Still seems so foolish  to me to go minimal capacity  rebuild of 30,000 in Parra, when it will surely be inadequate not too far into the future? 

It's great that something is happening, but so short sighted, when people are already speculating about upgrades before it's built.

I've seen people on various forums making comments about what is needed in the stadium.  One regular comment is a single tier safe standing north end.  Calculating the capacity of this assuming uniform loading around the perimeter of the stadium would mean roughly 5,500 seats.  This transfers into about 7,750 standing spots if safe standing is installed without an intermediate step or roughly 9,500 standing spots with an intermediate step.  I think there needs to be some serious and realistic discussion amongst those of you that populate the active support area as to what capacity standing area might be needed and a co-ordinated submission made to the club and/or the Minister.

Does anyone have any ideas how a co-ordinated submission would come about?

What form would the submission take? Is it a Power Point slide? Word Document?

Do we need volunteers to draft it?

Does there need to be a fans representative group to bring it all together? Perhaps a leader to consolidate all the ideas and act as our liaison to the State Govt, the club, architects, etc.. 

 

Flip up seats

 

Safe standing seats

 

You can fit up to two people in the safe standing rows per seat, whereas the flip seats you can only fit one.

 

Flip up is better than fixed but not really the same thing as safe standing. The RBB would still have the issues they currently do.

 

Ahhh got it.   So there's a kind of step between the rails. I knew there was a difference, but not quite sure what else, besides the railing.

 

Thanks Carns! 

 

 

 

Those safe standing rails are awesome and a great way to add capacity.

Exposing my ignorance here because obviously past experience must have proved that 'safe standing' to be just that, safe.

But not gonna lie, being a massive clutz that step between the rails has broken ankle written all over it to me.

As an aside, can anyone define unsafe standing ?

I mean we do it every day, it isn't that hard.

Is it standing on seats, something to do with Hillsborough or is safe standing just a euphemism for being no seats police cannot order people to sit,

ergo standing 'must' be safe ?

Legit questions.

• Having the stadium roof design include couplings with rope and pulleys
  

 

 

Flip up seats

 

 

Safe standing seats

 

 

You can fit up to two people in the safe standing rows per seat, whereas the flip seats you can only fit one.

 

Flip up is better than fixed but not really the same thing as safe standing. The RBB would still have the issues they currently do.

 

Ahhh got it.   So there's a kind of step between the rails. I knew there was a difference, but not quite sure what else, besides the railing.

 

Thanks Carns! 

 

 

 

 

Those safe standing rails are awesome and a great way to add capacity.

 

Exposing my ignorance here because obviously past experience must have proved that 'safe standing' to be just that, safe.

But not gonna lie, being a massive clutz that step between the rails has broken ankle written all over it to me.

 

As an aside, can anyone define unsafe standing ?

I mean we do it every day, it isn't that hard.

 

Is it standing on seats, something to do with Hillsborough or is safe standing just a euphemism for being no seats police cannot order people to sit,

ergo standing 'must' be safe ?

 

Legit questions.

 

I think you find the "safe" standing refers to the rail to stop people falling forward. And yes Hillsborough is the unfortunate example where in the event many people fall forward at once, they can crush each other and basically suffocate. The rail stops the possibility of many people rushing forward, say perhaps after a goal, or in the event of Hillsborough letting too many people in

Is it just me, or does anyone else hate that roof?

Its not my favourite.  I appreciate it aesthetically and its environmental advantage of reduced embodied energy but I prefer minimalism as an aesthetic and its certainly not that.  It a show off design and as such it could be considered appropriate for Melbourne.  All show and no substance.  

 

Might not be popular but I reckon 30k for the stadium is about the right number. It will ensure a intimidating and rocking atmosphere every game. It will become somewhat of a privilege to have a ticket and be there. 

 

Also, if you take a look over at the MLS, which I think is a better pointer than Europe particularly for our market, then most 'soccer specific' stadiums being build there are under 30k. Even the LA Galaxy home ground has a max capacity of 27k and that where they held their MLS Grand Final equivalent

 

That's a legitimate point I guess... but I think I'd still like to have seen a minimum of 35k.

Oh well... I'm still excited for what's coming!

 

Is it just me, or does anyone else hate that roof?

Its not my favourite.  I appreciate it aesthetically and its environmental advantage of reduced embodied energy but I prefer minimalism as an aesthetic and its certainly not that.  It a show off design and as such it could be considered appropriate for Melbourne.  All show and no substance.  

No surprise that I'd disagree - I think it's almost as beautiful as the Opera House (but I might not get away with saying that here...    )  That's both from the outside and from actually being inside it.

Why shouldn't it be a show off design?? I would say that I don't  relate to 'show-offiness'  at all in normal circumstances. But why not create a spectacular landmark as well as something functional?

 "All show no substance"  implies it has deficiencies.  Does it.... apart from not being expandable/upgradable?

 

 

Is it just me, or does anyone else hate that roof?

Its not my favourite.  I appreciate it aesthetically and its environmental advantage of reduced embodied energy but I prefer minimalism as an aesthetic and its certainly not that.  It a show off design and as such it could be considered appropriate for Melbourne.  All show and no substance.  

 

No surprise that I'd disagree - I think it's almost as beautiful as the Opera House (but I might not get away with saying that here...    )  That's both from the outside and from actually being inside it.

 

Why shouldn't it be a show off design?? I would say that I don't  relate to 'show-offiness'  at all in normal circumstances. But why not create a spectacular landmark as well as something functional?

 

 "All show no substance"  implies it has deficiencies.  Does it.... apart from not being expandable/upgradable?

 

Its Melbourne that is all show and no substance.  

If you like the soap suds around the edge of the bowl of your washing machine look its fine but I prefer the still pool look. There is beauty in simplicity that adornment can never aspire to.

Okay, so I'm excited to design something that would suit us perfectly... you've seen most of my designs now, but what would we REALLY want build. In terms of the roof type, stand structure, tier setup, outside wrap, quirky features, etc.

 

 

 

Is it just me, or does anyone else hate that roof?

Its not my favourite.  I appreciate it aesthetically and its environmental advantage of reduced embodied energy but I prefer minimalism as an aesthetic and its certainly not that.  It a show off design and as such it could be considered appropriate for Melbourne.  All show and no substance.  

 

No surprise that I'd disagree - I think it's almost as beautiful as the Opera House (but I might not get away with saying that here...    )  That's both from the outside and from actually being inside it.

 

Why shouldn't it be a show off design?? I would say that I don't  relate to 'show-offiness'  at all in normal circumstances. But why not create a spectacular landmark as well as something functional?

 

 "All show no substance"  implies it has deficiencies.  Does it.... apart from not being expandable/upgradable?

 

Its Melbourne that is all show and no substance.  

 

If you like the soap suds around the edge of the bowl of your washing machine look its fine but I prefer the still pool look. There is beauty in simplicity that adornment can never aspire to.

 

Ohhhh OK, got it.... lol.... pretty sure they'd accuse Sydney of being "all show and no substance".  

I'd generally agree that I don't like ornate... but to me AAMI is different. Aesthetic...not ornate, or too highly adorned.

Is the Opera House a "show off" design?   

I hope they design this stadium with a roof that covers EVERY seat from the rain.

For some reason Australian stadiums don't know how to do it.

I've been to stadiums in England and the roofs go right to the edge of the field

LOL.... they'd need it just a bit more than we do.  

But I hope so too... having sat in the rain for half of last season ( but not like those of you in the RBB!)

Okay, so I'm excited to design something that would suit us perfectly... you've seen most of my designs now, but what would we REALLY want build. In terms of the roof type, stand structure, tier setup, outside wrap, quirky features, etc.

Single tier north end with safe standing.

Given the footprint is potentially narrow, have the sides and south end double tiers, but with a nice steep rake all the same. Obviously have to include wheelchair access to some good spots. Corporate space between the tiers. At the south end, have one corner open so from within the ground you can see the growing parra cbd through it. This would also be the corner for away fans meaning their noise is less contained and they still, if sizeable, have to be spread over tiers. From the outside I would want a plaza over that space around the stadium (I wonder if the pool will go? Hope so, for my vision! ) so that walking up people can have a look through the fence and see a bit of the game happening, the way people have a bit of a skinny from the hill at the north end now. This would also allow a bit of sound from the bowl (we are roofed of course) to escape and float down the river. Outside wrap, I don't care, but something which can be tailored easily to the home team. The London Olympic stadium is getting a wrap that they can switch colors etc on - something like that would be good especially if there's going to be wests and Penrith sharing it as well.

Forgot to add, yeah, a good roof and one for tifos.

So I've been thinking about this safe standing stuff. How many non football media types would know what it is, let alone it's benefits (eg. Hill type setup for league)?

I've got a middle guy that is very close to an influential sports writer/editor that we could potentially sell the benefits to. Does anyone have links to any articles or studies of real life cases that identify safe standing benefits? Time to begin the education process...

Can't see safe standing actually happening to be honest. The Eels and the NRL won't sign off on it as it serves no purpose for them in the long run.

Thanks for the feedback too Marron. That's a lot of detail into one, relatively, small stadium, but I can see how I go. Perhaps some pictures of certain stadiums and I can pinch ideas.

I dare say we'll actually end up with something similar to what has already been suggested and already designed. I do hope we have something iconic and unique as well, a statement for the rest of the world. No doubt they'll employ Populous for the project.

In respect to the topic of where to play during construction there aren't many suitable options that will suit everyone. The main focus should be on having a venue that is in a location central to all supports, without ostracising one area over another. It also needs to be able to have a seat for every current member (we don't want to run the risk of losing members, that would be counterproductive when building a bigger stadium to help with growth). We also need something that is easily accessed via public transport and has good parking and has the media/corporate facilities. Unfortunately, only one venue really meets all of those needs and that is ANZ. Penrith, Belmore and Campbelltown just don't have enough seats for ALL of our members and would stagnate growth for the club - it wouldn't make smart business sense. I do understand the draw backs to ANZ in respect to it not being ideal for football and the lack of match day atmosphere, but imagine having regular 20k+ attendances and then convert them into season ticket holders BEFORE you even move into the new venue... makes perfect sense to me. But, that's just one opinion.