But a lovely view of the river ???
Penrith Stadium Alliance established; backs Paceway as preferred site
Western Weekender | 28 November 2022
There’s been a major development in the location of a new stadium in Penrith, with the new independent, apolitical Penrith Stadium Alliance officially formed and backing the Penrith Paceway as the preferred site.
The Weekender can reveal the Penrith Stadium Alliance will strongly advocate on four key issues:
- Construction of a new world class multipurpose Sports and Entertainment Venue in Penrith.
- That the venue be built on the current Penrith Paceway site and continuity of the existing Penrith Stadium be maintained during construction.
- The current Penrith Stadium site be converted into a new public open green space.
- The Penrith Paceway be relocated with the support of the NSW Government to a new site within the Penrith LGA.
Importantly the group is apolitical and “pro-Penrith” and is being driven by key local business identities.
“A new Penrith Stadium represents an amazing once in a generation investment into the Penrith CBD and we must get it right. It’s critical that local Penrith business has a strong voice on such an important issue”, said Alliance spokesperson Daniel McKinnon.
“With our city and particular our CBD so critical to our local economy it’s crucial that Penrith gets the venue it needs and deserves. That can only happen on the Penrith Paceway site. The Paceway site has size for a modern stadium that just isn’t available on the current stadium site.”
The stadium debate has cooled in recent weeks but remains a major issue with no clear direction locked in for the new venue, which was announced a year ago by Premier Dominic Perrottet.
The plan was originally to knock down and re-build the current stadium, but the State Government and Infrastructure NSW are now negotiating with Penrith Paceway and want to build the stadium on their site.
They will compulsorily acquire the site if need be.
The fact the new Alliance is pushing for the Paceway option and is driven by local business identities is likely to reignite discussions around the acquisition being locked in.
With the situation in limbo, the Penrith Panthers will play at the existing stadium next season.
The stadium issue has been clouded by the fact a State Election is due to be held in March. Stadium funding remains a hot issue the winning party will need to ultimately address. The Alliance being apolitical means it can have a significant seat at the table with both major parties when it comes to the Penrith commitment.
Mr McKinnon said ensuring continuity of the current stadium is an important issue for local businesses.
“We accept that with any form of new infrastructure there is disruption and inconvenience,” he said.
“In this case we strongly believe it is in the interest of more Penrith businesses that the current stadium operations be maintained during construction of the new venue.”
Penrith Stadium Alliance has launched a website – www.penrithstadiumalliance.com.au – as well as a petition, calling for its four key points to be addressed.
It wants an assurance from government that if a new stadium is built at the Paceway, the old stadium would be converted to public land.
“With a new stadium constructed on the current Paceway site we are strongly of the view that the NSW Government and Penrith Council should collaborate to create to create a new open green space on the site of the old stadium,” Mr McKinnon said.
“We all know Penrith is growing and passive recreation spaces will be harder and harder to come by. Turning Penrith Park into a Penrith Park is a no brainer.”
SOURCE
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I seems that now in a few articles they have mentioned TQL Stadium as a ‘blueprint’ for the new Penrith Stadium.
TQL Stadium is the home of FC Cincinnati in Ohio and has a seating capacity of 26,000.
They have a interactive map if you would like to see what the view is like for seating
https://3ddigitalvenue.com/3dmap/clients/fc-cincinnati/bowl/
Below is also a youtube walkthrough of the stadium in the late stages of its construction.
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My concern is the likely politicalisation of the new stadium project, & how that may impact the way forward, particularly with an upcoming state election.
There can be no doubt that the people of Penrith deserve a state-of-the-art facility and that the Showground location is the right location, but ignorance and petty politics are hard enemies to overcome.
Let’s hope we can have a new stadium for the entire community to enjoy, and a fine recreation precinct in the existing stadium land.
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Don’t forget the lining of pockets, the hyperbole being spued by said officials borders on hypocritical, they are not trying to achieve a resolution, just slinging shit at each other…and it’s all to do with the “development” of the paceway site.
Trots CEO fuming after Penrith Panthers stadium redevelopment plans revealed
2GB | Chris O’Keefe | 2 February 2023
The plans for the redevelopment of Penrith Stadium have been confirmed, with the stadium to be built on the current site of the Penrith trots next door.
It will allow the Panthers to continue playing at their current stadium, BlueBet, until the facility is completed.
CEO of Penrith Paceway Tash Greentree has revealed to Chris O’Keefe that she’s “extremely frustrated.”
“It’s getting exceedingly difficult to operate a business. We have absolutely no idea what’s going on”.
“You can’t tell me that’s not going to be a massive cost on taxpayers when they’ve got land and a place for a stadium there. Surely there are other things the money can be spent on at the moment than trying to acquire our land and relocate us.”
AUDIO 
SOURCE
It’s going to be interesting the design of the stadium. What other space will be around the stadium. With government have already announced its going to multi purpose stadium I believe it’s must used during the offseason from October to February. It will be interesting what other code will use space in that time. I also heard the stadium will be cutting capacity down from 30000 to 27000
I believe the quote of the stadium being 30,000 was in the very early stages. I believe they are looking at a design similar to that of TQL Stadium in Cincinnati OH. which holds approximately 26,000 seats.
With multi purpose stadium built at its new site it won’t have the Family hill & South hill. This will remove a bit of history and legacy for the families and visitors watching the game.
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If Penrith Stadium capacity drops down to 27000 there would only be 4500 extra seats compare to the current stadium. I would prefer stadium to have 30000 capacity that would be extra 7500 seats
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I am feeling less confident about the stadium happening each day.
The current government have until 2nd March to procure the showground site - anything else is just election postering.
Post election should a procurement of the showground site not have occurred, whoever forms (likely minority) government will be unlikely to push ahead with a new build unless its already committed to (by 3 March).
Plan B would be a reduced funding spend on the current stadium.
I obviously want this to play out positive, but i am seeing nothing but smoke and mirrors by the day.
It seems that Labor candidate Karen McKewon had expressed support for the stadium plan. Making the stadium less of an election issue, as the stadium is likely to be built regardless of who takes state government in late March.
The only political opposition is from a few independents and the One Nations candiate Belinda McWilliams who is firmly against moving the stadium to the grounds of the Paceway.
So unless there is a unlikely event of a hung state parliament, I would say it’s a reasonably safe bet the stadium will be built on the paceway.
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I do hope you’re right Steve, and I know of both Karen McKeown and Stuart Ayres support of the proposal.
However if as local member they don’t have sway over the cabinet room, all is for naught.
I read in the weekender some time ago (around Xmas) this was all about the land being sold to developers for high rise apartments. It is essentially a slanging metch in local parliment…All Agenda driven !!
We will see who’s money talks hey !
I hope the new Penrith stadium has protected roof for the spectators during wet and windy game days. At the world club challenge I felt more people would of turned out if roof covers were protected.
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Good point, and I am sure this is part of the scope.
I thought the same as I was huddled under the awning at the southern end. At least in the first half it was the most sheltered spot in the ground.
Couldn’t get to the bar though thanks to the 2000 odd Saints fans who camped in front of it. 
What’s latest news with Labour government regarding with the development of Penrith Stadium. Chris Minns hasn’t raised anything yet regarding the future project for the Penrith Community.
You won’t be hearing much on the stadium front for some time @Panthers01.
Chris Minns had made it clear that his priority is Health and Education (of which is the platform of which he ran his campaign), and all suburban ground upgrades (including Penrith Stadium) are essentially on hold pending a review.
“I’d love to do that, but when you consider there’s $200 billion of debt in NSW and we’ve got urgent responsibilities for schools and hospitals, they’ve got to be our priority that’s why we were elected on Saturday,” he told the Today Show.
“My message to the people of NSW is that’s got to be the priority for the incoming government.
“I’m happy to sit down with sporting codes of every persuasion in the coming days and weeks but I can’t leave people with the wrong conclusion, we need to turn around the results in public education and public hospitals.”
Chris Minns on Today Show
Sourced from Sky News Article
So Parramatta fans will finally have a good team to watch… 
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