A A$350M ($305M) redevelopment plan for a "fully-roofed ANZ Stadium" would enable sports fans to sit within five meters of the action, with new grandstands "turning Sydney's biggest venue into a true rectangular ground," according to John Lehmann of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Under the "ambitious plan," the former Olympic stadium would "also be surrounded by a dynamic entertainment zone filled with bars, cafes and restaurants." While the stadium's capacity would "remain above 80,000, the venue's
top-level seating tiers could be curtained off using a hi-tech lighting
system to create a more intimate atmosphere for smaller matches." The
design includes a "retractable roof made of a translucent membrane
which allows sunlight through and is capable of closing in 20 minutes."
It would "weatherproof all events and allow the stadium to attract more
big music acts." The stadium’s private-sector owners and operators are lobbying the Baird
government for about A$250M to modernize the 15-year-old venue. Stadium owner Stadium Australia Group would reportedly be
prepared to put in A$100M if its ownership lease is extended
beyond '31, "when it is due to hand back the venue to the government." Bringing more night-life entertainment options to Sydney Olympic Park is
"also seen as critical to attracting more spectators." The cost of
developing the surrounding entertainment precinct shown in the plans is not included in the A$350M price
tag (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 11/18).
