Roosters, Waratahs, Sydney FC reject new 55,000 seat stadium at Moore Park
State government plans to build a 55,000-seat stadium at Moore Park have been rejected by Sydney’s three eastern suburbs footy teams.
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PLANS to build a new 55,000 seat super stadium at Moore Park have been rejected by Sydney’s three eastern suburbs footy teams — the Roosters, the Waratahs and Sydney FC.
In a massive blow to sports minister Stuart Ayres’ hopes to bulldoze Allianz Stadium for a new $1 billion facility, the venue’s three tenants issued a joint statement on Monday night to slam the move.
The three clubs want to remain on the current site with a smaller amount of money spent on a major refurbishment which could be completed while they continue playing, as was done at the MCG and Adelaide Oval in recent years.
The Roosters, Waratahs and Sydney FC fear they will lose members, casual supporters and sponsors if forced to relocate for the three years it would take build the new venue.
They made their position clear in a joint statement on Monday night — which can be read in full below.
“We strongly oppose a new stadium on the existing site, as a forced relocation out of Allianz Stadium for four seasons will be disastrous for all three clubs, their respective Members and fans,” the statement read.
“It was the clear understanding of all three clubs that there would be a new stadium built —
without interruption to Allianz Stadium’s operations.
“If the NSW government is unable to achieve this, then our overriding preference is for a major renovation of the existing stadium.”
The three clubs are convinced the damage would be long term.
“The damage that would be caused to the three clubs would extend well-beyond the four year construction period, as it would take many years to fully recover and would require major levels of compensation for impacted clubs,” the statement read.
“It is well-known in the sports industry that maintaining crowds is a worldwide challenge which would only be exacerbated if an Allianz Stadium shutdown for a period of time were to occur. “Research indicates that when teams are displaced from their established home ground, the impact is negative and of a long-term nature. Some clubs never recover.”
The Roosters have already indicated they would move to ANZ Stadium if forced to go.
And with many of their members now located in the Western Suburbs, they could decide to stay.
This would leave the government’s new showpiece stadium with not one rugby league tenant.
All three clubs want to remain at the venue while it is refurbished.
“With modern construction techniques, there are a number of examples of major stadia that have remained operational throughout their renovation, including Adelaide Oval, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground,” they said.
“The three major hirers request that the SCG Trust to publicly support this position and we would strongly urge Premier Baird to take into account the full extent of the impact a forced relocation would have on all three of our clubs.”
On Monday night, Waratahs chairman Roger Davis said the future financial viability of his club could be at stake.
“We’re disappointed and very angry over this draconian approach,” Davis said.
“At the end of the day we’d have a glistening new stadium — I don’t believe any new teams would play there — and it would have 55,000 capacity compared to the current 45,000, when most games get a 25,000 attendance.
“And you build this extra capacity at a huge cost, and you’re pummeling the three clubs that are loyal stalwarts of the venue.
“This is giving two fingers to loyalty.
“If we can no longer use the existing stadium for four years, we’d have to go out into the wilderness, we’d have less loyalty and fan base, patronage would drop, we’d lose members and sponsorship, and tha would get worse year on year.
“This announcement by the premier is contrary to everything we were led to believe.
“We only supported the new stadium because it would allow us to operate at our existing stadium.
“And it’s not as easy as just moving our games to ANZ Stadium, it would mean a relocation of our administrative office, our gym, our training facilities. And with the added NRL games to be played at ANZ, I’m not even sure if we could play there.
“Nobody has told us what the alternative is; are we going to Gosford? Will we be playing in Orange?
“We signed a 16-year deal to play at Allianz Stadium starting this year, why would we sign that deal if we knew we couldn’t play there for 25 per cent of that time?
“The consequences of this are quite substantial.”
Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow said on Monday night building a new stadium on the existing site would be a ‘devastating blow.”
“I was surprised to read the Premier’s comments today as it was a very different message from the one we’ve been receiving from both Minister Ayres and the SCG trust for the last few months, “ Barlow said.
“I along with the Chairman of the Roosters and the Waratahs have all been assured that the governments focus was to build the new stadium on adjoining land which is a proposal all three of us were prepared to support.
“But a new stadium built on the existing site which would require us to relocate for four years would be a devastating blow to all three of our clubs.”
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
The three longstanding major hirers of Allianz Stadium — Sydney FC, NSW Waratahs and Sydney Roosters — have issued a response to today’s comments from Premier Baird regarding the proposed redevelopment at Allianz Stadium.
Up until today, it was the clear understanding of all three clubs that there would be a new stadium built — without interruption to Allianz Stadium’s operations. If the New South Wales Government is unable to achieve this, then our overriding preference is for a major renovation of the existing stadium.
We strongly oppose a new stadium on the existing site, as a forced relocation out of Allianz Stadium for four seasons will be disastrous for all three clubs, their respective Members and fans.
The damage that would be caused to the three clubs would extend well-beyond the four year construction period, as it would take many years to fully recover and would require major levels of compensation for impacted clubs.
It is well-known in the sports industry that maintaining crowds is a worldwide challenge which would only be exacerbated if an Allianz Stadium shut down for a period of time were to occur. Research indicates that when teams are displaced from their established home ground, the impact is negative and of a long-term nature. Some clubs never recover.
With modern construction techniques, there are a number of examples of major stadia that have remained operational throughout their renovation, including Adelaide Oval, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground.
The three major hirers request that the SCG Trust publicly supports this position and we would strongly urge Premier Baird to take into account the full extent of the impact a forced relocation would have on all three of our clubs.
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