The Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers will be forced to find alternative homes for at least two years as plans for a new-look Pirtek Stadium start to take shape.
Parramatta has started drawing up official contingency plans for a move away from Pirtek Stadium for at least two NRL seasons.
And the Western Sydney Wanderers are looking at moving to either Spotless Stadium inside Sydney Olympic Park, Belmore Sports Ground, Campbelltown Stadium or Penrith’s Pepper Stadium.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Pirtek Stadium would be totally demolished in a $300 million rebuild, to start either late next year or early 2017.
The NSW Government is yet to formally sign off on the deal but a new stadium at Parramatta will be built to seat up to 35,000 fans.
Construction would take at least two years, forcing the Eels and Wanderers needing to relocate for that period.
It is thought the new stadium would be completed by 2019, in time for campaigning at the next State election.
Parramatta has already started considering new home grounds.
ANZ Stadium is the most likely and logical venue although the Eels will also look at Pepper Stadium.
Parramatta will also consider taking additional games to Darwin, regional areas, Gosford or New Zealand during that time.
“If there is a need to have a temporary home in the short term, we will undertake extensive consultation and planning with our expanding membership and fan base to ensure they are central to any decision we make,” said Steve Sharp, Parramatta Leagues Club and Eels Chairman said.
“Combined with the $100m redevelopment of Parramatta Leagues Club, a full upgrade of Pirtek Stadium will create a world class sporting and entertainment precinct in the heart of Western Sydney — enabling our members and fans to have the best facilities in Australian sport.”
The Wanderers are looking closely at the Spotless Stadium, home of the GWS Giants and Sydney Thunder.
Depending when construction starts, Western Sydney could actually be homeless for three seasons.
“While a formal decision on Pirtek Stadium is still pending there is a reality that should we have to deal with a significant period of displacement a plan needs to be in place that suits not only the team but our fans and members in Western Sydney,” said Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas.
“There are a number of venues in Western Sydney that have their own unique opportunities and challenges and we will consult our members and review our options when a decision and timeline is clear to us.”
The Eels moved previously moved to Belmore when Parramatta Stadium was built before returning home in 1986, the year the club last won a premiership.
It is understood Pirtek Stadium would be the first arena renovated before ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium, which could also be knocked down and replaced by a proposed new 65,000 seat arena at Moore Park.
That could also push the Sydney Roosters to a new home ground for two to three years. During construction, the Roosters may move next door to the SCG or play at ANZ Stadium.
Eels officials say ANZ Stadium is their “preferred choice” although the club would seek improvements in transport from western Sydney to Homebush.
The foundations are already in place at Pirtek Stadium, as is the playing surface. Parramatta is also looking at building a massive car park in their new precinct to be built between the stadium and Leagues Club.
The club hopes that carpark would be completed approximately the same as the new stadium would open.
Replies
cracked?
There are a stack of Eels fans on the Central Coast and it would be a great way of promoting us to the kids who are yet to choose a team.
Well if we are going to have to play elsewhere in 2017 we better play every single possible home game at Pirtek next year. Except the 1 Darwin game
It will be at ANZ for sure and its a great opportunity to slay a few demons in those two years, im not a fan of ANZ but we need to get out of our comfort zone and what better place to do it than a ground we have our worst record at.
anz is the logical choice as the club gets paid to play there.... often there is free public transport... iv been told that the members area has full strength alcohol! I'm a member and only found this out recently.
I hope the seats are still close to the ground and they add more parking and better food and drink facilities.
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