Liverpool Mayor announces plans for 30,000 seat arena in Western Sydney

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has released a proposal for a new covered roof stadium/arena to be built in Western Sydney.

Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that Mayor Mannoun’s plan is for a venue resembling the University of Phoenix Stadium, with a playing surface that can be wheeled out of the arena for maintaince when not in use for sport, revealing a convention and event centre floor.

Artist’s impressions of the ambitious venue have been drawn up under the direction of Mayor Mannoun in a bid to win the backing of the NSW Government and gain inclusion in its recently announced $1 billion strategy to develop  and refurbish sports stadia across metropolitan Sydney.

Stating that the venue would need to flexible to ensure the venue was not just used by sporting teams and had wider use as a convention and event centre, Mayor Mannoun told The Daily Telegraph “w’re drawing on inspiration from the University of Phoenix stadium (with a) proposal (for) an entertainment centre that can turn into a sports venue.

“No facility we presently have in Sydney would get usage like this: everything from local netball games, to professional sports to camper van expos, music concerts and high school graduations.’’

With the recently announced strategy initially backing the upgrading or Parramatta (PIrtek) Stadium, longer term plans for a new venue in Western Sydney have focussed on Penrith and the Blacktown International Sportspark.

Under Mayor Mannoun’s plan, the roofed stadium of about 30,000 seats would be part of an entertainment and cultural precinct at Woodward Park, 800 metres from Liverpool train station and a kilometre from the M5.

It is estimated the total precinct would cost about $600 million, of which $400 million could be raised through developer contributions.

About $200 million would be needed from the NSW Government, including money raised through potential land sales.

Mayor Mannoun has reportedly secured an agreement with the Wests Tigers NRL team to create a new home in Liverpool if it can secure federal funding to help build a centre of excellence at Carnes Hill.

Images: An artist’s impression of the planned Liverpool precinct, with its roofed arena (top) and the University of Phoenix Stadium (below).

4th September 2015 - NSW GOVERNMENT COMMITS MORE THAN $1 BILLION TO NEW SYDNEY SPORT VENUES

26th February 2015 - REPORT CALLS FOR A CLOSURE OF SYDNEY’S CULTURAL FUNDING GAP

11th July 2013 - LIVERPOOL RESIDENTS GET THEIR THIRD FREE OUTDOOR GYM