Plans revealed for $250 million upgrade of Sydney's Allianz Stadium

As part of plans for the ongoing redevelopment of its venues, the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust has revealed a $250 million plan to update the Allianz Stadium (Sydney Football Stadium) into a state-of-the-art roofed venue.

Following the recent completion of the new Northern Grandstand at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), and ongoing plans to introduce improved transport links, including light rail, to the sporting precinct, the Trust’s plans for the Allianz Stadium include a translucent roof, which would turn Allianz into Australia’s premier all-weather rectangular stadium, along with upgraded seating, improved food outlets, expanded entry gates and new technology include state-of-the-art Wi-Fi connectivity, digital video signage and live fan sites.

The Trust believes that the upgrade would boost attendances for its host teams and generate new economic activity through the attraction of global sporting events like the successful Los Angeles Dodgers’ baseball season opener staged at at the SCG.

Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph has suggested that tecently appointed NSW Sport Minister Stuart Ayres is considering backing the upgrade as part of a funding package for the NSW Government’s stadium strategy – announced in November 2012.

Trust Chairman Tony Shepherd told The Daily Telegraph that the Stadium was “tired” and “desperately needs work”.

“Allianz hasn’t had one cent of public money spent on it ever — it was built with members’ money in 1988.’’

Shepherd said Sydney needed sports facilities worthy of a global city and was slipping behind Melbourne.

“We’ve got to stop thinking like Mickey Mouse and just doing a little bit here and a little bit there — the world will pass us by.

“Let’s be honest, the Yarra Park precinct in Melbourne is world-class, but our facilities in Sydney need investment. Melbourne has just announced plans to spend another $700 million on a tennis centre that we would love to have.”

The Trust is looking to spend $13 million would be spent installing Wi-Fi and internet TV by next March, enabling fans to watch unique replays of the sports action on their phones, access live statistics and order F&B.

A new high-performance sports centre, to be known as Sports Central, is a $90 million component of the plan. The facility would include a terraced building featuring fitness facilities, a rooftop swimming pool and a childcare centre. It will also include a sports medicine and hospitality campus within this building.

The nearby cricket centre, the home of Cricket NSW, would feature 12 indoor practice wickets, a 60-seat theatrette and a digital coaching centre located underneath a 16-wicket turf training area.

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