Suitman - except for 3 Anzac day games all of those games were finals or internationals that could have been played at Accor. 15 games over 15 years with 40k crowds really justifies the ridiculous cost of the rebuild?
It just proves it could have been a boutique 25k stadium with the tests and finals played at Accor, and Anzac games at the SCG.
Or even a 15-20k ground and played their bigger games at Commbank.
There are 5 other A-League games below that threshold (but above 40000) that I listed above that weren't on the list. No doubt, there would be countless other games - indeed many from other sports, as well as crowds well above these figures (and the official capacity) at the many huge concerts that have been held there.
For example, I saw U2 there on their Zooropa Tour in 1993 and there was easily over 50000 there.
There was and is a need for a stadium of this quality (Allianz) near the centre of Australia's largest capital city.
Whether Homebush should be demolished and sold off to developers, or Allianz should have been the major city stadium of 70 000+, (btw, could never have happened due to space restraints) or Homebush revamped and rectangular-ised, or any other of the dozens of options that have been suggested, we now have what we have.
We now have 2 great rectangular stadiums (Commbank and Allianz) and one large semi-rectangular stadium in this city (Accor).
I understand your passion and frustration regarding Penrith, and will explain why I think you are letting emotion get in the way of your comments, hence some of your misguided comments. And this is not a criticism of you, just an observation.
When the NSW govt and Infrastructure NSW spend money on all actual infrastructure, they need to answer to NSW Treasury. The figures have to hold up for that expenditure. Treasury look at Capex (Capital Expenditure) and Opex (Operational Expenditure).
Generally, if the figure comes in above 1.0, it is figured that anything above that number with be expenditure profitable, hence worth the govt spend. If it doesn't, treasury are reluctant to release the funds for that project.
However, in the case of Penrith and the new stadium, it is clear that this stadium has been pork barreled through to protect Stuart Ayers and his very marginal seat.
Stadiums need to provide content. It has nothing to do with the size of junior areas and whatnot, as you claim. It is about return of investment for taxpayer's investment.
I'm sorry to say but the proposed $300 million investment in the stadium at Penrith (Commbank cost $350 million when construction costs were way cheaper) and the purchase of the Paceway for the land to build it on (estimated at up to $200 million), a half a billion dollar expenditure at Penrith just isn't viable, particular when the current 3 available stadiums can cover all events held in this city.
The amount of $$ proposed for Penrith just doesn't make sense, as much as it disappoints you.
It would cost 50% more than Commbank, have a 25000 capacity and not be used anywhere near the amount Commbank is.
I stated in this thread the other day that I just happen to be lucky enough to be an Eels and Wanderers fan and was gifted a new stadium. The Wanderers actually had a lot to do with that as well, as they had a lot of sellout games at the old Parra as well. There is your "Opex" right there for Commbank. Not to mention Socceroos, Matilda's and all manner of other events like Elton John for example.
www.roosters.com.au
