Reading this morning’s Canberra Times one could be forgiven for thinking work was going to commence at any moment on throwing a roof over Canberra Stadium.
Here in the Eagle’s Nest we were surprised by a lack of formal announcement of such a bold endeavour and our enquiry of Minister Barr brought the following response:
The Canberra Times story was based on the following Budget Release: http://www.treasury.act.gov.au/budget/budget_2011//files/press/28_press.pdf
They were seeking some further information on the detail of the capital works and forward design planning for Canberra Stadium and Manuka Oval upgrades.
There are no current plans to “roof the stadium”. All I have said is that we will have a look at the facility being built in Dunedin. We need to get a sense of technology and costs associated with that stadium and assess them for the future redevelopment of Canberra Stadium.
Canberra Stadium is 33 years old and was originally designed as an athletic facility. Despite two capital upgrade projects since the original construction, the base infrastructure is ageing. Many of the facilities do not meet the current standards required and expected by major sports codes and spectators. For example, there are no internal warm-up areas, limited change room space, no hot and cold bath facilities and cramped and limited medical rooms.
The players external warm-up facilities are not of a standard acceptable to international or national standard rugby league or rugby union. They lack security, are small and a significant distance from the change rooms.
A master plan for Canberra Stadium was prepared in 2009 and that work confirmed that the stadium has a limited economic life and will need to be re-built by or before 2027.
The 2011-12 ACT Budget has funded development work towards the upgrade of the following:
– ticketing and communication systems
– spectator facilities
– team and media facilities
– roof improvements
– expanded corporate lounge areas
– improved external plaza areas, entrances and signage; and
– use of the latest technologies in environmentally friendly design and construction.Thanks for your interest in the Budget initiative.
Andrew Barr
[Photo Courtesy Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.]
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