The $309 million “beating heart” of Western Sydney is currently being demolished at Penrith Stadium in preparation for a significant reconstruction headed by John Holland.
The 30,000-seat stadium, which was designed by Populous, will be built as part of a larger project funded by the NSW Government that aims to underpin infrastructural, employment, and housing growth throughout Western Parkland City.
The only suburban facility to move on following the state’s infrastructure assessment, which put other planned upgrades on hold, is Penrith Stadium.
The stadium is “the beating heart of this community,” according to Premier Chris Minns, who also emphasized that the rebuild is essential to the future of the area.
At the construction kickoff, Minns stated, “It’s an essential piece of infrastructure for Western Sydney and it deserves the kind of modern, accessible facilities that this rebuild will deliver.”
The current western grandstand, which is now being dismantled, will be replaced with a completely redesigned stadium that can accommodate major football, rugby union, and NRL games in addition to up to ten concerts annually and more corporate, conference, and event space.
Following a competitive bidding process, John Holland was awarded the construction contract.
The corporation upgraded Sydney Football Stadium and Marvel Stadium and will once more collaborate with landscape designers Tyrrell Studio and international sports architects Populous.
The new design brief places a strong emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility.
In addition to doubling the amount of wheelchair-accessible seats, the stadium will also improve its wayfinding, technology, and crowd control systems.
Playgrounds, multipurpose courts, and other community amenities will be included in the landscaped public open space that will replace the nearby training field.
Infrastructure NSW, the organization in charge of project execution, announced that the stadium would be repurposed into a venue for events, leisure, and community meetings all year long.
Infrastructure NSW Head of Projects Bruno Zinghini stated, “We are excited to see the positive impact this project will have on the region, providing a new social and entertainment hub that will support more families moving into new homes being rolled out by the NSW Government in Western Sydney.”
The new stadium is anticipated to open in 2027 after Penrith Stadium’s renovation was announced in late 2021.
It is the latest in a series of significant public infrastructure projects being undertaken in Western Sydney, such as the Bradfield City Centre and Western Sydney International Airport.
