‘We want it to become the real heartbeat of the NT’: Darwin’s $300m stadium plans take shape

Darwin’s new $300 million sporting stadium has moved a step closer to reality with updated designs for the ambitious project being released to the public this week. WHICH DESIGN DO YOU PREFER?

DARWIN’S new $300 million sporting stadium has moved a step closer to reality with updated designs for the ambitious project being released to the public this week.

Project co-ordinator and AFLNT chairman Sean Bowden is working with a range of top level architects, structural engineers and designers to put plans in place for the 25,000-seat covered stadium in Darwin’s CBD to be up and running inside a decade.

That time scale coincides with Brisbane’s bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games.

“We’ve put together a high level design team made up of national recognised architects and engineers,’’ Bowden said.

“We’ve been working carefully to develop the concept and build it to the point where we can present it to the public for consideration.

The proposed AFL stadium could be covered to make it a multipurpose venue. Tell us which design you prefer in the comment section below. Pictures: Supplied artist’s impressions

“From that we’ll get feedback from the start of what will be a detailed consultation process.’’

Included in the list of non-charging organisations involved in the design and construction process are Studio Nield, Coordinating Architects, headed by Lawrence Neild, the former Chief Architect of the Northern Territory who has been involved in master planning a number of major projects, including for the Sydney Olympics, Homebush Stadium and Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.

Local companies Troppo Architects, professor Max Irvine Structural Engineers, Rider Levett Bucknall Quantity Surveyors, Taylor Cullity Lethlean Landscape Architects, BVN Architects and Pricewaterhouse Coopers are other major contributors.

Bowden said plans will go up on the AFLNT website on Saturday to give the public a look at the ideas and visions of the AFLNT and their stakeholders, with a view to providing input on where the stadium is heading.

AFL games will be the key attraction of the proposed stadium.

“If we want to have a multi-purpose stadium that will attract high level AFL games, NRL matches, IPL cricket out of India, Test and first class cricket,

Premier League soccer out of Australia and Southeast Asia or major events like a Bruce Springsteen or Fleetwood Mac back to Darwin, we need to have a covered stadium,’’ he added.

A high level design team has been working on the project.

“Costs are part of the strategic plans we develop.

“We know there is a lot of extensive and calibrated work to be done and we’re under no misapprehension that this will be a major exercise.

“But we think Darwin and the Northern Territory are ready for what we regard as the perfect concept.

“We want to see this stadium become the real heartbeat of the Northern Territory and something Territorians are proud of and designed with them as something iconic that also speaks to Australia and the world.’’

Larrakia Development Corporation chief executive Nigel Browne said everyone he had spoken to since the stadium project was first announced have come back with a simple question — when is it going to be built?

“There has been nothing but positive feedback from people all over the Territory and all walks of life, who see the positivity in this type of vision and it’s something we support,’’ he said.

“At the end of the day it’s something that will add to the lifestyle, sporting community and the fabric of Darwin, particularly when you look at other capital cities around Australia and the stadiums they have developed over many years.’’

WHICH DESIGN DO YOU PREFER? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

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