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The Government of the Australian Capital Territory has outlined plans for a 30,000-seat stadium in Canberra, with a study to be carried out to determine whether a new facility should be built or the existing GIO Stadium should be renovated.
GIO Stadium has a capacity of 25,000 and sits within the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) precinct. The stadium serves as the home of National Rugby League club the Canberra Raiders, as well as Super Rugby’s ACT Brumbies.
The ACT Government has today (Thursday) released details of its long-term infrastructure vision for the entertainment, arts and sports sectors. The plan outlines a path for a new, rectangular stadium in Canberra.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the ACT Government and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) on the redevelopment or replacement of GIO Stadium. The MOU will allow the government and ASC to engage in discussions regarding enhancements of the precinct.
A study will be conducted to inform the way forward for the stadium, with options to include a new stadium on a different site within the AIS precinct that would enable the current stadium to operate while the new stadium is being built.
The second option would see the demolition of GIO Stadium and the building of a new stadium on the existing site, while the third option would focus on staged, significant upgrades to the existing stadium.
Timeframes for the delivery of stadium improvements will depend on the option chosen. The ACT Government noted that a new stadium on a different site may take longer due to the likely need to vary the National Capital Plan.
Following the stadium study, and the completion of further precinct planning work, the ACT Government will seek to partner with the Australian Government in the delivery phase. A new stadium would cost an estimated A$500m (£262m/€304m/$330m).
GIO Stadium opened in 1977 and has also hosted international rugby and football matches.
The proposals outlined by the ACT Government bring an end to plans for a new stadium in Canberra’s city centre. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr told the ABC that the ACT Government had “thoroughly explored” the city-centre proposal but constraints relating to the Civic pool site made it unviable.
The ACT Government’s infrastructure vision also includes plans for a new, indoor live music concert and exhibition venue. The proposed venue would hold at least 7,500 people and would help attract more touring acts, performers, exhibitions and events to Canberra.
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