DRAMATIC drone footage gives league and football fans a bird’s-eye view of Parramatta Stadium’s demolition.
It’s been almost 31 years since the ground opened for business, replacing Cumberland Oval, and now it is making way for a new $300 million state-of-the-art home for the Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers.
In the video you can see that the Ken Thornett Stand has been all but erased and the Peter Sterling Terrace is no more.
Even the hallowed turf is being gradually scrubbed away by the movement of the heavy vehicles doing the damage.
Pictures of the devastation reveal mounds of concrete rubble, piles of torn-out seats and bundles of twisted wire and metal.
But it’s not all going to the tip. Some items have been stored to be re-used in the new stadium while other items like chairs and signage have been collected by sporting clubs and fans.
Demolition is expected to continue until the middle of the year.
Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said demolition of the historic stadium is bittersweet as buzz continues to build around Western Sydney’s future home of sport.
“As we see the old stands being torn down we can rest assured Western Sydney Stadium will set a new standard for sporting experience in Sydney- a precinct of global significance we can all be proud of, designed with the entire fan experience in mind,” Mr Ayres said.
It is expected that about 2000 people employed on the project during the construction phase (scheduled to be completed in 2019) and to staff the stadium once it is up and running.
Replies
THIS is the way we should have done it
yep, old school, was there
Ah - I remember it well - what a night, and got my candle blown out to finish off the celebrations.
Memories of a time too long past and the beginning of the decade long DYNASTY.
This probably sums it up best.
From Misty Bee, a member of the Parramatta Forum off the League Unlimited Forum
I was there!!!!!
Cumberland oval was the closest thing a fan had to being part of the game. The old ground smelled of a combination of beer, sweat, blood, dirt and tobacco. It seated 2000 people, and 22000 would cram into it. Clouds of dust rose from the ground when big bodies collided. It was a gladiatorial cauldron the likes of which, atmosphere wise, does not exist today.
There was discussion about converting the old girl into a modern stadium. With Denis Fitzgerald fresh in the job, we would still be waiting. However, somewhere some brillinatly minded Parra fans decided that a champion team deserved a champion's ground.
I was at the SCG for the game. My mates and I drove back to the Leagues Club, but as we approached, we noticed some activity at Cumberland. We went over, and discovered people going berzerk. The fence palings that ringed the ground where ripped of and strewn everywhere. Signs were ripped down, seats were ripped up. The dressing rooms and canteens had been looted. Toilets were smashed, shower heads were ripped off, and tomato sauce was strewn everywhere.
Funnies t thing was the old scoreboard, a fibro structure on a 6ft brick stand. A group of blokes were on the stand, trying to rip down the clock. below, some other blokes decided to burn the stand. Up top, blokes began to realise that they were being burned, but still reefed at the clock!!!
The most surreal moment was the sight of a well dressed woman, savoring the moment quietly in the grandstand, while the mob rampaged around her at the seats! THAT Was the passion that was unleashed when Parra truimphed. A far sight more passionate and determined than the johnny come lately softc*cks who cannot see life beyond Brian Smith!!!!!
(Hey this is some sort of a disclaimer here - these are the opinions expressed by Misty Bee)
What a great sight to behold.
Old news:
http://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/parramatta-stadium-demolition-...
That was indeed the funny part about it Phil - one minute we are Yahooing around and the next - poof - BBQ time.