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Don't know if people have been following this story much, but the SCG Trust are making obvious political moves to get their hands of more of the $1.6 billion set aside for stadium upgrades in Sydney in the hopes of tearing down the SFS and building a new stadium there:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...06-gx68e0.html
Now to me, this is a little concerning.
First up, this would mean relocating the Roosters for a solid 1-2 seasons while the new stadium is built. The obvious choice for this being playing a lot more games on the Central Coast given our newfound obsession with promoting ourselves in the area, and then likely ANZ or the new Parra stadium for other choice events (ANZAC day obviously, and knowing us undoubtedly our souths, bulldogs, and parra games).
Nick Politis has already threatened the SCG trust with permanently moving away from the stadium if they commit to plans that would see the SFS shut down for a full season or more (source), but I doubt the SCG Trust would really give a rats as the person leading the charge is an AFL sycophant who is primarily interested in keeping ANZ stadium open for GWS games at all costs (thus trying to skittle the ANZ revamp proposals with this garbage about the SFS being unsafe).
If this SFS knock down does come to fruition and we wind up playing away from moore park for an extended period, I can honestly see circumstances leading us to never going back.
The NRL would also like to see 1-2 Sydney teams relocate out of the city also, so I can see them quietly happy to see the SCG Trust get their way on the stadium rebuild.
IMO Politis needs to get on top of this and quick. Get all the other tenants (Sydney FC, Warataths) and also the tenants of ANZ worked up and vocal about ensuring the original plan of redeveloping ANZ goes ahead.
Rebuild an option after government warned about Allianz Stadium safety
The Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust has raised concerns about the safety of Allianz Stadium with the NSW government in a move that could prompt a renewed examination of the feasibility of a total rebuild of the ageing venue.
The government remains committed to investing $1.6 billion to provide the state's stadiums with a much-needed makeover, although it is unclear how the funds will be allocated to the ANZ Stadium and Allianz projects. Sports Minister Stuart Ayres last week said a decision would not be made until the government received a "detailed business case" for the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium, which isn't expected until the end of the year.
Another factor for consideration is the cost of maintaining Allianz Stadium to ensure it complies with safety regulations. The issues around safety and comfort of patrons at the stadium have been raised with Ayres by SCG Trust chairman Tony Shepherd.
Allianz Stadium, originally known as the Sydney Football Stadium when it was built in 1988, will need significant investment just to bring it up to existing security and safety compliance standards. It is estimated those costs alone would total about $140 million, without providing any discernible improvements to the game-day experience.
A refurbishment would require an outlay of at least $400 million, while a knock down and rebuild would likely total $600 million. The cost to the taxpayer for the latter option would be less, given the Trust would likely commit upwards of $50 million towards the project.
Any new stadium, with a capacity of about 45,000, would be built on land the Trust owns, rather than encroaching on adjoining areas.
Several NRL clubs are sweating on the government's decision. ANZ Stadium's main tenants, South Sydney, Canterbury, Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra, are becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of clarity surrounding the Olympic stadium. A total rebuild at Moore Park will temporarily displace the Roosters and several other teams, including A-League champions Sydney FC and rugby union's Waratahs.
Shepherd said the NSW government would factor in the costs of maintaining Allianz, as opposed to giving it a rebuild, before making a call.
"It's up to the government where it spends money on stadiums and we will respect the judge's outcome, whatever it may be," Shepherd said.
"Suffice to say, the Sydney Football Stadium is certainly a very old stadium and needs some investment. We'd be happy to see that happen.
We recognise the government hasn't got a bottomless pit of money and it's a question of whatever their priorities are."
It was originally estimated it would take $700 million to transform ANZ Stadium into a state-of the art rectangular venue. However, a leaked document suggesting a cost blowout has been viewed in some quarters as a plot to divert funding towards Moore Park.
"In making an assessment of capital spend against an ongoing maintenance spend, the government would obviously take those things into account," Shepherd said. "They are sophisticated people and will obviously make that judgment call.
"It's an ongoing capital problem for government in any facility, the difference between maintaining an older facility or building a new one.
"The newer facility is less costly to maintain but then you have to have that big jump at the start, you've got to have that capital and they have a balance sheet and triple-A rating to protect.
"They don't have unlimited money and there are great calls on their money. We recognise that."
The Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust has raised concerns about the safety of Allianz Stadium with the NSW government in a move that could prompt a renewed examination of the feasibility of a total rebuild of the ageing venue.
The government remains committed to investing $1.6 billion to provide the state's stadiums with a much-needed makeover, although it is unclear how the funds will be allocated to the ANZ Stadium and Allianz projects. Sports Minister Stuart Ayres last week said a decision would not be made until the government received a "detailed business case" for the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium, which isn't expected until the end of the year.
Another factor for consideration is the cost of maintaining Allianz Stadium to ensure it complies with safety regulations. The issues around safety and comfort of patrons at the stadium have been raised with Ayres by SCG Trust chairman Tony Shepherd.
Allianz Stadium, originally known as the Sydney Football Stadium when it was built in 1988, will need significant investment just to bring it up to existing security and safety compliance standards. It is estimated those costs alone would total about $140 million, without providing any discernible improvements to the game-day experience.
A refurbishment would require an outlay of at least $400 million, while a knock down and rebuild would likely total $600 million. The cost to the taxpayer for the latter option would be less, given the Trust would likely commit upwards of $50 million towards the project.
Any new stadium, with a capacity of about 45,000, would be built on land the Trust owns, rather than encroaching on adjoining areas.
Several NRL clubs are sweating on the government's decision. ANZ Stadium's main tenants, South Sydney, Canterbury, Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra, are becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of clarity surrounding the Olympic stadium. A total rebuild at Moore Park will temporarily displace the Roosters and several other teams, including A-League champions Sydney FC and rugby union's Waratahs.
Shepherd said the NSW government would factor in the costs of maintaining Allianz, as opposed to giving it a rebuild, before making a call.
"It's up to the government where it spends money on stadiums and we will respect the judge's outcome, whatever it may be," Shepherd said.
"Suffice to say, the Sydney Football Stadium is certainly a very old stadium and needs some investment. We'd be happy to see that happen.
We recognise the government hasn't got a bottomless pit of money and it's a question of whatever their priorities are."
It was originally estimated it would take $700 million to transform ANZ Stadium into a state-of the art rectangular venue. However, a leaked document suggesting a cost blowout has been viewed in some quarters as a plot to divert funding towards Moore Park.
"In making an assessment of capital spend against an ongoing maintenance spend, the government would obviously take those things into account," Shepherd said. "They are sophisticated people and will obviously make that judgment call.
"It's an ongoing capital problem for government in any facility, the difference between maintaining an older facility or building a new one.
"The newer facility is less costly to maintain but then you have to have that big jump at the start, you've got to have that capital and they have a balance sheet and triple-A rating to protect.
"They don't have unlimited money and there are great calls on their money. We recognise that."
Now to me, this is a little concerning.
First up, this would mean relocating the Roosters for a solid 1-2 seasons while the new stadium is built. The obvious choice for this being playing a lot more games on the Central Coast given our newfound obsession with promoting ourselves in the area, and then likely ANZ or the new Parra stadium for other choice events (ANZAC day obviously, and knowing us undoubtedly our souths, bulldogs, and parra games).
Nick Politis has already threatened the SCG trust with permanently moving away from the stadium if they commit to plans that would see the SFS shut down for a full season or more (source), but I doubt the SCG Trust would really give a rats as the person leading the charge is an AFL sycophant who is primarily interested in keeping ANZ stadium open for GWS games at all costs (thus trying to skittle the ANZ revamp proposals with this garbage about the SFS being unsafe).
If this SFS knock down does come to fruition and we wind up playing away from moore park for an extended period, I can honestly see circumstances leading us to never going back.
The NRL would also like to see 1-2 Sydney teams relocate out of the city also, so I can see them quietly happy to see the SCG Trust get their way on the stadium rebuild.
IMO Politis needs to get on top of this and quick. Get all the other tenants (Sydney FC, Warataths) and also the tenants of ANZ worked up and vocal about ensuring the original plan of redeveloping ANZ goes ahead.
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