Parramatta Stadium Upgrade News + Future Lobbying

[Wanderboy]

 

Dear Members and supporters,

Thank you for your overwhelming support at last week's Board elections. You, the Members, stood up and said enough is enough. We are all sick of the slanderous rubbish that seems to be woven around factionalism at board level, and those who promote it. These antics cause embarrassment for the club and enormous damage to our image.

I give you my commitment that your new Board will take whatever action is necessary to prevent this from re-occurring in the future.

You have elected a fantastic and talented group to guide your club forward. As Chairman, I will ensure transparency is always maintained and give my full commitment to delivering on our rebuilding of the Eels, which is already in progress.

This week we take on the New Zealand Warriors at Pirtek Stadium Saturday at 3pm. The boys have their backs to the wall and no one is more dangerous then the wounded Eels.

I hope you can make it to the game to help get the team over the line against the Warriors, to salute our charity partners, and to celebrate Women in League Round. 

I hope to have some exciting news around our home stadium in the next few weeks as the government sorts out the final stadia strategy for New South Wales.

Until then: Stay strong, stay united, stay Blue and Gold.

Steve Sharp

Chairman

 

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2015/05/14/message_from_the_cha.html

 

The Parramatta Board are a basket case. I should know. I've followed them for 45 years.

He might be right, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[MadKaw]

Not good news..!

for now anyways..

 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/parramatta-stadium-upgrade-on-hold-as-the-nsw-government-considers-the-future-of-the-venue/story-fngr8huy-1227356117064

 

WORK on a $29 million upgrade to Parramatta Stadium is in limbo as the State Government considers de-molishing and rebuilding the venue.

Venues NSW confirmed it is waiting for a decision on the future of the stadium before pushing ahead with the upgrade, including building an additional 2000 seats at the north and south ends of the ground.

“Venues NSW does not intend to let the contract for additional seating until the government’s view on stadia development is final,†a spokesman said.

Venues NSW invested $6 million in the upgrade, with the Federal Government investing $20 million and Parramatta Council contri-buting $3 million.

 

Since work began in January, the playing field has been upgraded, balustrades obscuring view of the field have been removed and improvements to the changerooms are due to be completed this month.

 

Also part of the upgrade is 4000 new seats to bump up the stadium’s capacity to almost 25,000.

The government is awaiting the recommendations of a report which will outline different options for modernising Sydney’s stadiums.

 

The report will likely recommend the construction of a new 35,000-seat Parramatta Stadium, home to rugby league’s Parramatta Eels and soccer’s Western Sydney Wanderers.

Parramatta State MP Geoff Lee said an upgraded stadium should host more sporting events.

“The Western Sydney Wanderers have generated almost $20 million to the local economy and more games will bring more money and jobs, which is great for the local economy,†he said.

An NRL spokesman said it would wait for an official announcement before looking into playing more games in Parramatta.

Edited May 15, 2015 by MadKaw

[JackDoff]

Not good news..!

for now anyways..

 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/parramatta-stadium-upgrade-on-hold-as-the-nsw-government-considers-the-future-of-the-venue/story-fngr8huy-1227356117064

 

 

WORK on a $29 million upgrade to Parramatta Stadium is in limbo as the State Government considers de-molishing and rebuilding the venue.

 

Venues NSW confirmed it is waiting for a decision on the future of the stadium before pushing ahead with the upgrade, including building an additional 2000 seats at the north and south ends of the ground.

“Venues NSW does not intend to let the contract for additional seating until the government’s view on stadia development is final,†a spokesman said.

Venues NSW invested $6 million in the upgrade, with the Federal Government investing $20 million and Parramatta Council contri-buting $3 million.

 

Since work began in January, the playing field has been upgraded, balustrades obscuring view of the field have been removed and improvements to the changerooms are due to be completed this month.

 

Also part of the upgrade is 4000 new seats to bump up the stadium’s capacity to almost 25,000.

The government is awaiting the recommendations of a report which will outline different options for modernising Sydney’s stadiums.

 

The report will likely recommend the construction of a new 35,000-seat Parramatta Stadium, home to rugby league’s Parramatta Eels and soccer’s Western Sydney Wanderers.

Parramatta State MP Geoff Lee said an upgraded stadium should host more sporting events.

“The Western Sydney Wanderers have generated almost $20 million to the local economy and more games will bring more money and jobs, which is great for the local economy,†he said.

An NRL spokesman said it would wait for an official announcement before looking into playing more games in Parramatta.

Where would we play during construction ? ANZ? Unless they can finish it within our offseason , highly unlikely

[marron]

 

Not good news..!

for now anyways..

 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/parramatta-stadium-upgrade-on-hold-as-the-nsw-government-considers-the-future-of-the-venue/story-fngr8huy-1227356117064

 

 

WORK on a $29 million upgrade to Parramatta Stadium is in limbo as the State Government considers de-molishing and rebuilding the venue.

 

Venues NSW confirmed it is waiting for a decision on the future of the stadium before pushing ahead with the upgrade, including building an additional 2000 seats at the north and south ends of the ground.

“Venues NSW does not intend to let the contract for additional seating until the government’s view on stadia development is final,†a spokesman said.

Venues NSW invested $6 million in the upgrade, with the Federal Government investing $20 million and Parramatta Council contri-buting $3 million.

 

Since work began in January, the playing field has been upgraded, balustrades obscuring view of the field have been removed and improvements to the changerooms are due to be completed this month.

 

Also part of the upgrade is 4000 new seats to bump up the stadium’s capacity to almost 25,000.

The government is awaiting the recommendations of a report which will outline different options for modernising Sydney’s stadiums.

 

The report will likely recommend the construction of a new 35,000-seat Parramatta Stadium, home to rugby league’s Parramatta Eels and soccer’s Western Sydney Wanderers.

Parramatta State MP Geoff Lee said an upgraded stadium should host more sporting events.

“The Western Sydney Wanderers have generated almost $20 million to the local economy and more games will bring more money and jobs, which is great for the local economy,†he said.

An NRL spokesman said it would wait for an official announcement before looking into playing more games in Parramatta.

Where would we play during construction ? ANZ? Unless they can finish it within our offseason , highly unlikely

 

Wandering season

[Flytox]

 

Not good news..!

for now anyways..

 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/parramatta-stadium-upgrade-on-hold-as-the-nsw-government-considers-the-future-of-the-venue/story-fngr8huy-1227356117064

 

 

WORK on a $29 million upgrade to Parramatta Stadium is in limbo as the State Government considers de-molishing and rebuilding the venue.

 

Venues NSW confirmed it is waiting for a decision on the future of the stadium before pushing ahead with the upgrade, including building an additional 2000 seats at the north and south ends of the ground.

“Venues NSW does not intend to let the contract for additional seating until the government’s view on stadia development is final,†a spokesman said.

Venues NSW invested $6 million in the upgrade, with the Federal Government investing $20 million and Parramatta Council contri-buting $3 million.

 

Since work began in January, the playing field has been upgraded, balustrades obscuring view of the field have been removed and improvements to the changerooms are due to be completed this month.

 

Also part of the upgrade is 4000 new seats to bump up the stadium’s capacity to almost 25,000.

The government is awaiting the recommendations of a report which will outline different options for modernising Sydney’s stadiums.

 

The report will likely recommend the construction of a new 35,000-seat Parramatta Stadium, home to rugby league’s Parramatta Eels and soccer’s Western Sydney Wanderers.

Parramatta State MP Geoff Lee said an upgraded stadium should host more sporting events.

“The Western Sydney Wanderers have generated almost $20 million to the local economy and more games will bring more money and jobs, which is great for the local economy,†he said.

An NRL spokesman said it would wait for an official announcement before looking into playing more games in Parramatta.

Where would we play during construction ? ANZ? Unless they can finish it within our offseason , highly unlikely

 

AAMI Park in Melbourne took two and a half years to build and Metricon took just under two years to build so we would be without a home ground for that period of time.

 

I'd rather we play at the Sydney Showgrounds than ANZ if we had to move during construction.

[Alexander]

 

 

Not good news..!

for now anyways..

 http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/parramatta-stadium-upgrade-on-hold-as-the-nsw-government-considers-the-future-of-the-venue/story-fngr8huy-1227356117064

 WORK on a $29 million upgrade to Parramatta Stadium is in limbo as the State Government considers de-molishing and rebuilding the venue.

Venues NSW confirmed it is waiting for a decision on the future of the stadium before pushing ahead with the upgrade, including building an additional 2000 seats at the north and south ends of the ground.

“Venues NSW does not intend to let the contract for additional seating until the government’s view on stadia development is final,†a spokesman said.

Venues NSW invested $6 million in the upgrade, with the Federal Government investing $20 million and Parramatta Council contri-buting $3 million.

 

Since work began in January, the playing field has been upgraded, balustrades obscuring view of the field have been removed and improvements to the changerooms are due to be completed this month.

 

Also part of the upgrade is 4000 new seats to bump up the stadium’s capacity to almost 25,000.

The government is awaiting the recommendations of a report which will outline different options for modernising Sydney’s stadiums.

 

The report will likely recommend the construction of a new 35,000-seat Parramatta Stadium, home to rugby league’s Parramatta Eels and soccer’s Western Sydney Wanderers.

Parramatta State MP Geoff Lee said an upgraded stadium should host more sporting events.

“The Western Sydney Wanderers have generated almost $20 million to the local economy and more games will bring more money and jobs, which is great for the local economy,†he said.

An NRL spokesman said it would wait for an official announcement before looking into playing more games in Parramatta.

 

Where would we play during construction ? ANZ? Unless they can finish it within our offseason , highly unlikely

AAMI Park in Melbourne took two and a half years to build and Metricon took just under two years to build so we would be without a home ground for that period of time.

 

I'd rather we play at the Sydney Showgrounds than ANZ if we had to move during construction.

If it gets confirmed that they are doing a knockdown rebuild I don't really care if we have to play at ANZ while construction work is done. As long as when Pirtek is rebuilt we never play in ANZ again, it's worth the sacrifice

[JackDoff]

What about the smaller one next door? Spotless? Holds 25k I think . We could ,hopefully , fill it n show the Great Waste of Space what a full , passionate stadium looks n sounds like!

......even a half full WSW game has more atmosphere!

[beatsurrender]

What about the smaller one next door? Spotless? Holds 25k I think . We could ,hopefully , fill it n show the Great Waste of Space what a full , passionate stadium looks n sounds like!

......even a half full WSW game has more atmosphere!

 

Yep Spotless would be my pick too.  Certainly over ANZ, the 'Riff or where the Bulldogs play for example

[Prydzopolis]

For me this is good news, consider this... It's bad news because they are thinking of giving us a brand new stadium? Don't think so!! So the proposed upgrade doesn't go ahead, we could be getting a new stadium guys!

[DinoPresinger]

I don't want a new stadium. I want a full stadium that seats about 25 000 with a good atmosphere.

 

why waste $400m on 15 000 extra seats when half the time they won't be used.

 

The previous 4 000 seat upgrade would have allowed a bigger RBB and that is what I want.

 

*If the new stadium has safe standing then I immediately reverse my opinion

[Hughesy]

I was reading through the victory forum this afternoon and one of them made an interesting point that they've never actually had more than 26/27k at aami park before. With a capacity there of 30,500, I feel like we would have a very similar situation with a 35k stadium.

 

I think that 25k would serve us quite well for many years to come so that while the government muck around about what to do we have some breathing space for the time being. I'd actually prefer it for now to be honest. It's very easy to get carried away with how many seats you need when in reality it's probably not nearly as much as what everyone thinks. You have to live within your means.

[WestSyd]

I really hope this new stadium will be built. If they build this new stadium it will be a design which can be built to suit all sorts of weather conditions. You can also make the seating steeper and have better services at the stadium. 35,000 is perfect as it is something you can always look to growing towards. I don't care if it is not too full every game. Even AAMI Park with 14-15,000 in the stadium looks pretty decent.

 

If this doesn't come through we won't get another chance like this for a while.

[Prydzopolis]

To me, if we get a stadium of 35k capacity we'd max out at 27-30k average attendances with the no shows that come up. At 25k, we'd just sell the extra memberships but then what? Still get our average 13k attendances?

 

This way we can increase our membership numbers over a long period of time but still having tickets available to the general public so when you go to buy tickets they are available & none of this sellout at 13-15k rubbish!

[Jowel]

 

Wasn't work on the upgrade meant to begin in October? What's the deal?

Are we seeing yet another upgrade promise broken?

I see a common pattern of events emerging, based on recent history, being:

1. Parra Stadium upgrade announced with great political/media fanfare

2. Timeframes set, plans finalised

3. Rival stadiums announce their own grand upgrade plans with no financial backing

4. Stakeholders and politicians lobby for a bigger upgrade at parra

5. Plans are reviewed which results in indecision

6. Upgrade quietly put on hold for another year

Rinse and repeat

Quoting for laughs

Quoting for more laughs

[Alexander]

So seeing as we have been starved for information now that the media has exhausted their lobbyist driven articles. If we do get a new stadium (hypothetical at this stage), what are the chances that the club will have a say over what the grandstands will be named? If they do, who would/should they name it after? Covic would be my pick. Although I think a statue would be more fitting. A little early for Popa IMO. If he stays for 3-4 more years and leaves us with in a position where our club status is solidified then definitely

Edited May 19, 2015 by Alexander

[marron]

It will be for the eels as well remember.

And I don't think we have anyone stand worthy yet.

Possibly Covic. Maybe. But to me stands are for long servants. If he comes back as a goalkeeper coach? I don't know.

 

I can envisage the stands having dual names. Which I think is silly. You want the name up there visible all the time otherwise it's just tokenistic.

[Alexander]

The Paul Lederer Stand?

[mack]

I'm fine for a reasonable delay, even 8-12 months from now, if decision is between upgrades and knock-down rebuild.

 

The fact that they are even considering the knock down to the point of putting a hold on an already budgeted upgrade is good news.. as long as it doesn't just extend out.

 

As for where we'd play, I'm sure the FFA would have a season where we play away twice to Smurfs, Jets & Mariners, probably Victory as well, and let the club take the smaller games to other places around Sydney. I'm not sure we'd play every game at ANZ.

[Hughesy]

The Ante Ray Jarryd Dino Covic Price Hayne Kresinger stand.

 

Got a real ring to it.

[Taurus]

I'm fine for a reasonable delay, even 8-12 months from now, if decision is between upgrades and knock-down rebuild.

 

The fact that they are even considering the knock down to the point of putting a hold on an already budgeted upgrade is good news.. as long as it doesn't just extend out.

 

As for where we'd play, I'm sure the FFA would have a season where we play away twice to Smurfs, Jets & Mariners, probably Victory as well, and let the club take the smaller games to other places around Sydney. I'm not sure we'd play every game at ANZ.

 

Campbelltown & dare I say it Penrith, would be potential venues for games during the building phase. 

[Alexander]

 

I'm fine for a reasonable delay, even 8-12 months from now, if decision is between upgrades and knock-down rebuild.

 

The fact that they are even considering the knock down to the point of putting a hold on an already budgeted upgrade is good news.. as long as it doesn't just extend out.

 

As for where we'd play, I'm sure the FFA would have a season where we play away twice to Smurfs, Jets & Mariners, probably Victory as well, and let the club take the smaller games to other places around Sydney. I'm not sure we'd play every game at ANZ.

 

 

Campbelltown & dare I say it Penrith, would be potential venues for games during the building phase.

Would we be 'Wandering' or would one of those be the single location?

[matty]

Wandering for sure

[beatsurrender]

Repeat post

Edited May 19, 2015 by beatsurrender

[MajorMelons]

To people who say that 35k seater is too big, keep in mind that this is the capacity that we are stuck with potentially for the next 50 years until the next knock down and rebuild. Now considered that football popularity is increasing every year and that population of Western Sydney will double from 2 mil to 4 mil in the next 20 years (iirc)which all suggest that 35k may be a perfect size in 5 - 10 years.