Parramatta Stadium to get $20 million upgrade

Overshadowed by yesterday's announcement of plans to upgrade Sydneys ANZ Stadium, the Federal Government is to contribute $20 million to the upgrading of Parramatta Stadium in western Sydney.

The investment will include upgrading the Eastern Stand, including a new concourse, new food and drink outlets and better bathrooms while better facilities for players will be built with new change rooms and bathrooms.

In addition, the upgrade, expected to be completed during 2015, 3,300 additional seats will be installed on the Northern and Southern mounds at the Stadium, bringing the stadium capacity to 24,000.

NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman welcomed the funding, stating "we applaud the Commonwealth Government for their vision of the future and their support of the Western Sydney region.

"This announcement ... exemplifies a real partnership model and a continuation of the Government's determination to enhance infrastructure.

"(The) announcement highlights what can be achieved by working with Government in a co-operative way and having a shared vision for the future."

The introduction of the Wanderers as the major tenant of Parramatta Stadium and its clear capacity to become the catalyst for true social impact and change across Western Sydney has grabbed the attention of many including Government at all levels. Many have tried in the past to secure enhanced facilities at Parramatta Stadium without success and it is a testimony to Government and the Wanderers that this outcome has been achieved in the space of a few very short months.

The Wanderers have brought over 174,000 people into the Stadium since its inception with a financial contribution in excess of $18.3 million dollars of additional expenditure into the entertainment and lifestyle precinct of the Parramatta CBD.

Football Federation Australia Chief Executive David Gallop was also in attendance and believes the planned upgrade "is phenomenal for Western Sydney and the Wanderers fans.

"Western Sydney is a fertile ground for football in Australia and the support of these fans for the Wanderers was a real catalyst for this upgrade."

With a growing Wanderers membership base this new development will be key to ensuring that all Wanderers fans can support their team in years to come.