South Hill needs to be addressed on big games. There is no flow structure to many hazards this part of the stadium. But I did hear from Chris Minnis the South Hill & Family hill won’t be touched.
Headed down to Commbank Stadium to watch NSW Cup Grand Final with a mate. Thought I should check it out before our potential move for a season or two. My thoughts:
Good - accessibility, traffic flow & amenities.
Bad - very steep stands, soulless & it’s in fkn Parramatta
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Attended the open training session this morning. Matt Cameron gave an update on the project:
- knockdown & rebuild is no longer option
- club continues to work with Venues NSW and Govt
- after '24 season a refurb will be done, due to open in '26
- update to Eastern stand
- northern hill to remain
- western stand to be updated
- new southern stand to be built
- NRLW team aim for '26 to coincide with new stadium opening (South stand will include facilities for the women’s team)
- they will work with architect to ensure existing season ticket holders will have seats in same area as existing (not as happened with other new stadiums)
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If Penrith Panthers can win Sunday night this will be only way major project will be invested and Chris Minnis might have different opinions on the project.
I doubt it. There are budgetary constraints (a lot of debt that needs paying), and there isn’t a huge demand for another large sporting venue.
The focus will be keeping it a suburban ground and giving it a modern facelift. The government already said they intend on keeping the hills (EDIT: just the one hill, the southern end seems to be getting a stand)
According to Western Weekender the development will involve demolishing and rebuilding the Western Stands and erecting a stand on the southern hill.
End of beer hill, changes to Western Stand
More detail has been revealed about the upcoming refurbishment to Penrith Stadium.
The Western Grandstand will be demolished and re-built, while a stand will be constructed at the southern end of the ground – effectively ending the ‘beer hill’ era. That will upset a lot of fans who love the atmosphere of that end of the ground, but you can’t please everybody.
The Western Stand re-construction will include a much larger Chairman’s Lounge. Let’s hope the Panthers look after those long-term members in the Western Stand with seats in the new stand, and that it doesn’t become too focused on corporate supporters. Penrith will move out of the stadium at the end of 2024 but will be back for the start of the 2026 season.
Has there been any news lately regarding Penrith Stadium. I can see that Chris Minnis has not said anything after Penrith Panthers have made it 3 premiership in row, what a grand final. I can imagine Brian Fletcher now having big discussions with Chris Minnis scope of the project.
Has there been any update with Penrith Stadium, I think the government is going invest more than $309 million given to refurbished the stadium.
Whats the current update with stadium ?
While we appreciate the enthusiasm for the new stadium, I don’t think we will hear anything significant till sometime in 2024.
Now that the budget has been announced and funded by the NSW Government, I imagine the work will be put out to tender regarding the design and construction.
They won’t be tearing anything down till late 2024 to early 2025 at the earliest. So I don’t seem them rushing the process.
As I had posted earlier. they have stated some details like the end of beer hill, and some corporate hospitality stuff but that’s about it for now.
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Has there any update with Penrith Stadium
All quiet regarding news of the design, but the timeframe and budget have been confirmed
Fans will return to new-look western stand at Panthers Stadium
Western Weekender | 12 December 2023
Penrith will aim to cater for existing season ticket holders in the soon-to-be revitalised western grandstand when the new-look Penrith Stadium opens in 2026.
The Panthers will exit the venue at the end of the 2024 season to make way for 12 months of upgrades, which will include a new western stand and improved facilities.
There had been fears that existing western stand members – some of the club’s longest serving fans – would be forced to move elsewhere in the stadium from 2026 in a repeat of CommBank Stadium in Parramatta where the western stand is reserved for corporate and media facilities.
Panthers Chairman Peter Graham is adamant that won’t happen at Penrith.
“It will be one of our guiding principles that those with current seats will retain them,” he told the Weekender.
“We can be confident about that because the early plans at this stage are that the stands will be bigger, will incorporate more… we’ll certainly be taking care of our members. We don’t want people losing their seats.”
The Weekender understands that Panthers will push for existing season ticket holders to be offered ‘like for like’ seating in the new stand. It is a request almost certain to be accepted by Infrastructure NSW and Venues NSW who are keen to get the project right and welcome Penrith as the anchor tenant.
Graham is also determined to ensure Penrith’s exit from the venue at the end of next season is a smooth one.
“We’re developing some principles around our move out of here and that needs to be handled with respect as well,” he said.
“There’s so many people who love the old Panthers ground and so do I. It’s got that wonderful tradition.
“There will be the opportunity for people to take away a bit of memorabilia.”
Penrith’s season away from home will be a challenge but the club is planning to offer similar seating to season ticket holders at the temporary home – likely Accor Stadium or CommBank Stadium.
There’s a push for some to head to Homebush even though Parramatta is closer, the Weekender understands.
“We want to retain the loyalty of our members and supporters during that period,” Graham said.
The club will also spend more time on the road with plans to be part of the Las Vegas slate of games in 2025 and potentially an extra regional match.
Graham said Venues NSW would run the refurbished venue from 2026 but was hopeful Panthers would manage food and beverage offerings and groundskeeping.
“Potentially there’s challenges but the conversations we’re having with both Infrastructure NSW and Venues NSW are very positive,” he said.
“They really are interested in what we need and what we want. We think there’s a fantastic opportunity.”
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Has there been any update with Penrith Stadium.
News on the stadium is quiet, but hears what we know for certain, some speculation and what we don’t know.
Locked in certainty
Fully funded
Knock down of Western stand and rebuild.
A number of new change rooms to support Penrith WNRL team.
Closure of stadium in 2025 for construction.
Family Hill remains
Member seating will remain in new Western stand.
Stadium design will also support concerts and community events
What is likely
Improved lighting, audio, food, beverage and toilets (almost certain).
Improved ground circulation including likely high level circulation path (including food beverage, Toilets and corporate facilities) at highest level of Family hill with connection (bridges?) to Eastern and Western stands.
New roof to Eastern stand to cover lower terrace area
What is possible but hasn’t been confirmed
A new stand replacing Southern Hill.
Reconstruction of Eastern Stand.
That said at bare minimum the Southern Hill and Eastern stand will receive new food, beverage, toilet, and corporate facilities.
Likely stadium capacity ranges from 25K to 28K.
What won’t be happening
Relocation to paceway site.
I think complete knockdown of Eastern stand is unlikely- but this hasn’t been ruled out.
No artists impressions appear to have been released to date
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SHF, seems a good summary of the current ‘plan’ as per my understanding. Cheers
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First look at plans for revamped Penrith Stadium
Western Weekender | 24 January 2024
An artist’s impression of the new-look Penrith Stadium
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The State Government has today unveiled the draft plans for the new Penrith Stadium.
The redevelopment will include a new western grandstand and a significantly redeveloped eastern grandstand increasing the ground capacity to 25,000. Grandstands have been reconfigured to maximise seating with premium views between the try lines to be steeper to bring fans closer to the action.
The current capacity is around 22,500.
The project will cost around $300 million but is a far cry from the Coalition’s plan to build an entirely new venue on the grounds of Penrith Paceway. Labor refused to back that plan due to skyrocketing costs.
In a win for fans, more food and beverage outlets and amenities will reduce wait times on gamedays and improve customer experience, as will new scoreboards, sound systems and upgraded lighting.
An artist’s impression of the new-look Penrith Stadium
New player facilities including four new changerooms will help grow female representation in rugby league and other sporting codes.
The hills at the northern and southern end of the playing field will be retained, reflecting feedback from over 3,000 fans, families and community members. Additionally, the training field to the west of the stadium will be remodelled to create a stadium precinct with quality open space for outdoor community, sporting and entertainment events.
The community has been actively involved in shaping the stadium design, which will be placed on exhibition for public comment in coming months, as part of a State Significant Development Application process.
An artist’s impression of the new-look Penrith Stadium
To facilitate the redevelopment, the stadium is expected to close after the 2024 NRL season, and re-open in 2026. Construction timeframes are subject to planning and procurement processes.
Venues NSW will operate the stadium once completed. Venues
“I am delighted to see the upgraded Penrith Stadium brought to life in these exciting new designs,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car.
“This is a very welcome upgrade to a stadium that has been well-loved by the passionate western Sydney community.
“I cannot wait to see the seats filled as fans come roaring in to enjoy Panthers’ games in the upgraded stadium.”
The current stadium. Photo: NRL Images.
Minister for Sport and Minister for Small Business, Steve Kamper said when complete, Penrith Stadium will be a first-class sporting and entertainment venue for everyone to enjoy.
“The upgraded stadium will be the new beating heart of Penrith, attracting visitors from far and wide, providing a boost to the local economy and building upon the already strong entertainment and sporting culture in western Sydney,” he said.
“Whilst this stadium will be purpose-built to host women’s and men’s NRL games, it will also cater for rugby union, soccer, live music and other entertainment events.”
Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown, welcomed the feedback that occurred so far.
“I’d like to thank the 3,000 fans and families who provided their input to the design process, and I – along with every fan of western Sydney sport – am so excited to see that the iconic hills at either end of the ground have been saved,” she said.
“As Penrith continues to grow, the new Penrith Stadium precinct will be an active hub that the whole community can enjoy.”
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