The operator of ANZ Stadium has a shopping list of ugrades totalling up to a 1/4 Billion dollars, which they would like the NSW Government to pay for, including a roof and bringing the seats behind the goalposts closer to the ground. It's unlikely that the NSW Government could find that sort of money (or the political will) to spend such big dollars on this project, given the compelling priorities of the North-West rail link and the Westconnex Motorway. Budget priorities notwithstanding, the Berries and the Rabbitohs are actively schmoozing the O'Farrell Government for the ANZ upgrade.
Parramatta Stadium, with its excellent location in the demographic heart of Western Sydney is not out of the stadium upgrade race yet. But it does need some people power to demonstrate that there is a need for a 40,000 seat purpose-built rectangular stadium IN PARRAMATTA. With the multi-story carpark.
Parramatta is home to two of the biggest names in their respective codes, the Parramatta Eels and the Western Sydney Wanderers - and the majority of those fans want to watch the Eels and the Wanderers play at Parramatta. The Wanderers have stated that they would prefer to play out of just about every other stadium in Western Sydney before they would make ANZ their home ground, so we have an ally there.
There are compelling economic reasons to upgrade Parramatta over ANZ - just how compelling needs to be quantified, but I reckon the Parramatta economy would get more of a kick with a bigger stadium than the Homebush Bay precinct would out of an upgraded ANZ Stadium!!
If anyone is particularly interested in forming a lobby group to lobby the State Govt on behalf of the fans let's hear your thoughts in this blog. As well as the Eels, Wanderers and Parramatta Stadium organisations lobbying the Govt for an upgrade, it's really important from a political angle to have 'the people' backing up their club's more official approaches. There's a reason our Premier is also Minister for Western Sydney. The West matters these days - we have the political power to make things happen.
I've been whinging about playing at ANZ for quite a while now. Last week I posted a lengthy re- blog from Richard Hinds about the current thinking in NSW about building or upgrading purpose-built, rectangular football stadiums. It's time to stop whinging and start lobbying folks.
UPDATE (thanks Dohmatt for posting these) Send an email to these politicians and tell them you want Parramatta stadium to be upgraded:The Premier (and Minister for Western Sydney) Barry O'Farrell: office@premier.nsw.gov.auThe Minister for Sport & Recreation, Graham Annesley: office@annesley.minister.nsw.gov.auThe Minister for Planning & Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard: office@hazzard.minister.nsw.gov.auMinister for Tourism Major Events Hospitality and Racing, George Souris: office@souris.minister.nsw.gov.auOther NSW Members of Parliament:Auburn - Barbara Perry - Labor - auburn@parliament.nsw.gov.auBlacktown - John Robertson - Labor - blacktown@parliament.nsw.gov.au - Opposition Leader - Shadow Minister for Western SydneyCabramatta - Nick Lalich - Labor - cabramatta@parliament.nsw.gov.au - Former Mayor of Fairfield.Fairfield - Guy Zangari - Labor - fairfield@parliament.nsw.gov.au.Granville - Tony Issa - Liberal - granville@parliament.nsw.gov.auLiverpool - Paul Lynch - Labor - Liverpool@parliament.nsw.gov.auParramatta - Geoff Lee - Liberal - parramatta@parliament.nsw.gov.auSmithfield - Andrew Rohan - Liberal - smithfield@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Replies
This one's got to be driven by a bunch of people from both the Eels and the Wanderers Wiz. There's a lot of support from the Wanderers, who as I mentioned above must be our allies if there is to be any hope of getting anywhere. There's no room for personal animosity here either Wiz, and I'd prefer you didn't start a slanging match with Tony about it - I don't care who drives it, as long as it gets promoted and there's a demonstrable groundswell of support.
Parra Stadium isn't a showpiece stadium like ANZ. ie, all really big events go to ANZ Stadium.
Yes IH8, that's kinda the point though. ANZ is an oval stadium, for big events, AFL, Cricket, Big NRL games, whereas a 40K seat stadium is perfect for League and Football.
I believe the base needs to be broadened to ensure that everyone can have a say and demonstrate support. I think Tony has blogged about it on LU, the Wanderers forum has a blog about this topic, and of course the Facebook fans have the UPSAG page. It's important to demonstrate that a wide range of fans support and demand a better stadium at Parramatta - and that a range of views are sought. Not everyone wants to stay here at Parramatta, there's been talk of a new stadium at Blacktown or Liverpool, which would suck.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/UPSAG/
I think the Sydney Football Stadium (Allianz) holds around 40k. If Parra were to get the nod for a rebuild (let's face it there's only so much spak-filler can do in terms of renovations) then there would be 3 major football stadiums in Sydney.
And Parra is the perfect place for a bigger stadium. The stadium is only a short walk from a major train station whereas the two other contenders for the Western Sydney upgrade (Penrith and Campbelltown) won't be within walking distance of a major train station. If the upgrade were to be given to Penrith the Stadium would be built in Mulgoa and the Government would have to put on more buses to the stadium as it's way too far to walk from Penrith station and that would cost them even more money and then the Leagues club wouldn't be near it either and where Campbelltown stadium is the closest staion, Leumeah, isn't a major train station.
If the NSW Government and the Leagues club are willing to put in the money (The PLC should have no problem with money)we could potentially have two multi-story carparks within walking distance of the stadium. Not only could we potentially have heaps of parking spaces Parra also offers free shuttle buses that drop people right out the front of the Leagues club.
I think people have been rather pre-occupied with other things lately Wiz. I know I have anyway! I'm actually putting this blog out here now because I want to ensure that it gets some attention - that wouldn't have happened before the Board election. If I had of known the AGM was going to be a cracker I wouldn't have posted this tonight either!
I'm all for supporting a stay at Parra Stadium, count me in. I'm willing to give any help I can............
Well go and take the piss somewhere else - this topic's too important for you and the other Tony haters to muddy the waters with personal animosity, sorry.
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