Drone captures demolition of Parramatta Stadium

REST in pieces, Parramatta Stadium. New video reveals a bird’s-eye view of how the demolition of the Eels’ former home-ground is progressing.

2 min read

March 1, 2017 - 2:00PM

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ALMOST 31 years to the day it first opened, new drone footage has captured a bird’s-eye view of progress on the demolition of Parramatta Stadium.

The stadium, home to both the Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers, is currently being razed to make way for the $300 million Western Sydney Stadium, due to open in 2019.

Aerial footage shows how far demolition workers have reached as they bring down the 1980s-era stadium to accommodate a bigger and better sporting arena.

The slaughtered stadium seats seen piled up on the edges of what left of Pirtek Stadium.

In the film, two bobcats can be seen working to dislodge sections of concrete and bring down part of the Ken Thornett grandstand on the western side.

Peter Sterling terrace has also been reduced to rubble.

The Michael Cronin grandstand, next door to Parramatta pool — which is set to be demolished at the end of the month — remains standing for now.

The turf, once trodden on by the likes of Peter Sterling and Jarryd Hayne, resembles a dusty paddock.

The drone also flies high to show the wider site and how it sits in the context of Parramatta.

It’s a radically different scene at Parramatta Stadium as demolition continues apace.

The Michael Cronin grandstand remains standing for now while the Ken Thornett stand is in rubble.

Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said demolition of the historic stadium is bittersweet as buzz continues to build around Western Sydney’s future home of sport.

“As we see the old stands being torn down we can rest assured Western Sydney Stadium will set a new standard for sporting experience in Sydney- a precinct of global significance we can all be proud of, designed with the entire fan experience in mind,” Mr Ayres said.

Staircase to nowhere ... The demolition at Pirtek Stadium in Parramatta Stadium. Picture: David Swift

“Almost 31 years to the day it first opened, the Western Stand of this 31 year old stadium is being pulled to the ground using cranes, bobcats and excavators.”

Some items have been stored to be re-used in the new stadium while other items like chairs and signage have been collected by sporting clubs and fans.

Parramatta State Liberal MP Geoff Lee said community feedback would inform the next stage of plans for the project which will eventually employ about 2000 people during construction and ongoing operations to support major sporting events.

Demolition work is slated to continue until mid-year.

The work is part of a $300 development of Western Sydney Stadium.

“The new Western Sydney Stadium is the centrepiece of an infrastructure boom occurring across Parramatta, thanks to unprecedented State government investments in health, cultural, public transport and residential infrastructure in our region,” Mr Lee said.

“Designed to respect Parramatta’s cultural heritage, the Western Sydney Stadium precinct will offer pedestrian and public transport links and improved access to Parramatta Park.

“We are seeing cranes as far as the eye can see and the infrastructure to match and we strongly urge the community to have a say on this exciting new development,” Mr Lee said.

Over it goes ... The famed stadium now a wreckage.

The demolition works are slated to continue until mid-year.

Stage two plans will be released later this month and give the community a chance to have its say on the detailed design, construction and operation of the new stadium.

Parramatta Council and Parramatta Park Trust are continuing their investigations into two possible locations to relocate Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre with interim arrangements in place for users of the pool.