NSW Government looks to acquire harness racing track as site for new Penrith Stadium

In a development that will see NRL side the Penrith Panthers continue to play at its BlueBet Stadium in 2023, the NSW Government has advised that it has entered negotiations to acquire the Penrith Paceway harness racing track as the site for a new Penrith stadium.

In a move described as a ‘death warrant’ for the historic harness racing venue, the larger area of the Penrith Paceway site, on the next block to the BlueBet Stadium, will offer more space for the new venue to be built.

It will also allow the Panthers to continue playing at their home venue through next year’s NRL season, with negotiations needing to be undertaken as to the Panthers continuing to play at the venue in the 2024 and 2025 NRL seasons while work on the new $300 million venue is undertaken.

Advising of moves to acquire the Paceway site, an Infrastructure NSW spokesperson stated “the NSW Government has commenced commercial negotiations for the acquisition of the Penrith Paceway, as part of the Penrith Stadium redevelopment.

“The existing Penrith Stadium will continue to be available for the Penrith Panthers’ 2023 NRL season, which provides certainty to the Penrith Panthers and its fans.

“Following a six-week community consultation program, feedback from over 3,000 people provided a clear picture of what the new stadium needs to deliver.

“The Paceway site would facilitate a state-of-the-art stadium with an improved game day experience for fans, with modern amenities that exists within a precinct that is activated throughout the week, not just on event days.

“Timing of construction for a new stadium will be confirmed once the acquisition process is completed and the scope for the new Penrith Stadium has been determined, which is expected in late 2022.”

The NSW Government initially announced last December that a new stadium would be built in Penrith on the site of the current BlueBet Stadium.

The Panthers had even used ‘The Final Season’ branding when promoting games this year and commenced negotiations to move home matches to Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium from next year.

However, the Paceway site has since emerged as a preferred location.

NSW Minister for Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres, who has been a central figure in negotiations details around the new stadium, welcomed the development, advising “I welcome the commencement of commercial negotiations by Infrastructure NSW for the acquisition of the Penrith Paceway as part of the redevelopment of Penrith Stadium

“The stadium redevelopment is a significant opportunity for Penrith and it’s critical we achieve the best outcome possible for our whole community.

“The practical outcome of this is that Penrith Stadium will continue to be used by the Penrith Panthers in 2023 and available to other hirers.

“The Penrith Paceway, its Harness Racing and Agricultural Show have been an important part of the Penrith community for a long time. These negotiations are as much about securing their long term future in Penrith as they are about redevelopment of the Stadium.”

Panthers Group Chief Executive, Brian Fletcher added that the club was “delighted” to remain at Bluebet Stadium next season, commenting “to continue to play home fixtures at BlueBet Stadium is a great result for the Penrith community.

“It provides certainty to members and fans, corporate partners and all stakeholders of Panthers.”

The NSW Government said the timing of construction for a new stadium would be confirmed once the acquisition process was complete and the scope for the new stadium determined, which has been expected to happen by the end of 2022.

While the NRL has called for a number of new stadia to be built across Sydney in addition to the Penrith development, the latest NSW Government budget provided no funding for those aspirations.

Images: Penrith's BlueBet Stadium (top) and a 2013 concept for a new stadium from the Panthers showing the Penrith Paceway site on the right (below).