After complaints of bad smells, leaky roofs, poor Wi-Fi, smashed glass and years of frustration from fans, the ACT Government has finally announced plans for a redeveloped Canberra Stadium in 2056.
The state of Canberra Stadium has been in the spotlight recently, with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart summing up the thoughts of many locals by describing it as “sh!thou$e”.
The project is currently in “early pre-consultation consultation phase”, with the government set to seek community feedback as early as 2038. Once that feedback is immediately disregarded, a thorough review of the consultation phase will be conducted in 2046, with construction set to begin in 2050.
The move to deliver a fully upgraded stadium in just 30 years will allow Canberrans to truly appreciate the anticipation, says ACT Government spokesperson Aye Prillfulls.
“This is about getting it right, not getting it soon,” Mr Prillfulls. “We’ve learned from past projects that rushing something within a decade can lead to outcomes. Canberrans have waited this long, we think they can wait just a little bit longer.”
The new 35,000-seat stadium will have a host of modern features that will likely be out of date by the time it is built, including shatterproof glass in the coaches’ boxes, cooling seats for those warm afternoons at GIO, air fresheners strategically placed near the open sewage, and waterfall features on the roof, so the leaks at least look intentional.
The current stadium will be knocked down in 2030, leaving a 26-year window before the new one opens. The government says it will give fans a great opportunity to see the Raiders and Brumbies up close at many of the other world-class rectangular fields in Canberra, such as Viking Park, Holt 2, Pearce 1 and the patch of grass near the Dunlop shops.
The ACT Government has confirmed further updates will be provided “in due course”, with a detailed timeline expected to be released shortly after completion of the timeline review.
Funding from the project will come from several avenues, says Mr Prillfulls. “We will ramp up the fines to parents who park illegally to watch their kids play sport. We are also considering the introduction of a modest ‘stadium levy’ for all ACT residents, ensuring everyone can contribute to the project, whether they attend games or not.”
One of Canberra’s youngest fans, two-year-old Johnny, says he can’t wait to sit in the new stands with his future children and watch the mighty Raiders and Brumbies in a modern environment.
“I put sauce on my chips at footy. New stadium, YAY!”
Well said, Johnny.
Happy 1 April, everyone!
