A redevelopment would boost Manuka Oval’s crowd capacity to 20,000. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
A revamped Manuka Oval will have a new eastern grandstand and a new “hill” as part of plans to increase crowd capacity for the historic inner south venue that hosts elite cricket matches and AFL games.
The ACT Government is seeking a contractor to undertake technical due diligence and site analysis for the proposed redevelopment that would also improve the experience of patrons with better amenities and make it easier, safer and more accessible to get to and move throughout the ground.
The tender follows a similar one recently for the government’s proposed site for a new 30,000-seat stadium at Bruce.
Manuka Oval’s current seated capacity is 13,550. A new eastern stand would increase that to 20,000 for AFL and 18,000 for cricket.
The study will also scout locations for the best site for a new grassed ‘hill’ for spectators, which would retain the traditional charm of the boutique ground.
The successful contractor will investigate the entire precinct, but the focus will be on the eastern side of the ground.
On the table are entry points, caretaker cottage refurbishments while retaining the heritage scoreboard, a ticket booth, an entry structure, cricket nets, the Northern Heritage zone, food and beverage provisions, spectator amenities, video replay boards, activation zones, the movement of player and officials at the ground, site infrastructure and venue operations, and security and access.
The study will focus on the area in yellow. Image: ACT Government.
The contractor will be given three high-level draft design options to consider in its work.
The tender document says these have been based on feedback from stakeholders and users on their expectations for a modern stadium, including benchmarking to international sports standards.
The ACT Budget allocated funding for the due diligence work as part of a $1.7 million package of progress work on key entertainment, events, sports and tourism events infrastructure projects.
Nearly $1.3 million was set aside for amenity upgrades at Manuka Oval, where fans have long complained about long queues and sub-standard facilities.
It is not known how much the redevelopment project will cost.
In a bid to retain and attract top-level sport, the ACT Government has continued to invest in the venue, including the $11.6 million media centre that opened in 2019 and ongoing amenity upgrades.
The proposed redevelopment will be a balancing act to maintain Manuka’s historic and boutique status while taking it into the modern era.
In 2018, the Barr Government was forced to reject plans from the Greater Sydney Giants AFL club and Grocon for an $800-million proposal that would have put $80 million to $100 million into a Manuka redevelopment and seen land around the oval developed into a hotel, apartments, offices and shops.
The unsolicited proposal, dubbed Manuka Green, had been vehemently opposed by community groups.
The tender closes on 20 August.
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