NSW claims Sydney Football Stadium better than Suncorp
NSW has claimed its newly unveiled Sydney Football Stadium will “kick Suncorp Stadium into reserve grade”. Cue Queensland’s response...
Maroons
Don't miss out on the headlines from Maroons. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A WAR of words has erupted between Queensland and NSW over Sydney’s new stadium, with ministers trading barbs over whose is No.1.
NSW Sport Minister Stuart Ayres has boldly proclaimed the new Sydney Football Stadium will “kick Suncorp into reserve grade”.
But his claims have been rejected by Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones, who said Mr Ayres should wake up to himself.
“Stuart Ayres won’t be smiling from the sidelines when they’re in opposition,” Ms Jones fired back.
“Week in, week out, Queensland delivers larger crowds at games – it doesn’t matter how big Stuart Ayres thinks his assets are.
“He can build the biggest stadium he wants. There’s only one state that consistently fills a stadium for NRL.”
Artist’s impressions of the Sydney stadium at Moore Park will be released today.
Mr Ayres said the stadium would offer an experience like no other and put NSW ahead of other states.
“The new Sydney Football Stadium will set the standard for rectangular stadiums in Australia,” he said.
The arena features a hi-tech roof that can be lit up from the underside in the home team’s colours, bars and terraces, and design nods to the environment of the nearby Centennial Park.
Drawings of the new stadium have never been seen until now, just months before the demolition of Allianz stadium in January.
The winning design for the new stadium – slated to open in 2022 – is the result of an intensive design competition.
Cox Architects beat out two other firms.
Senior sources consider this design to offer the most female-friendly stadium in Australia, for everyone from athletes to fans, with top-class female change-room facilities and bathrooms.
Allianz was unable to host an NRL/NRLW double header because it did not have sufficient change rooms.
The Cox Architects design was chosen to complement the parkland in the area, as well as other Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge.
The roof also features exposed natural timber beams in a unique design feature.
The cost to knock down and rebuild the ageing Allianz Stadium has been put at $730 million.
.
Originally published as NSW claims Sydney Football Stadium better than Suncorp