Is this Canberra's next stadium?
Revealed! The stadium recommended by the government's own consultants
Thanks for your interest in Canberra’s next stadium.
Here’s the first email update from StadiumCanberra.com … a petition, website, newsletter and community backing the call for a new stadium, and determining which option is best.
Please forward this email to interested friends and colleagues and encourage them to sign up.
A close look at the Arup report
A report into Canberra’s next stadium commissioned by the ACT Government surfaced earlier this year.
News coverage mostly focused on the cost and timeline presented in the document, completed by consultant Arup and stadium specialists Populous.
But few detailed the stadium the authors proposed, and went to some lengths to design.
Arup and Populous were given the following requirements from the ACT Government in undertaking the report:
a capacity of at least 25,000 seats
north-south field orientation, or slightly deflected within 20 degrees
fully enclosed roof, with consideration of a 100% dripline roof
sited at either EPIC or Civic pool
They delivered a 122 page report that covered planning and urban design, environmental considerations, soils and geology, accessibility, security, utilities and drainage.
Arup assessed options at EPIC and Civic, and found both sites could meet the requirements. Oddly, it found the EPIC build would be more expensive.
But it also noted the Civic location offers:
“…strong links back to its surrounding context and has the potential to tap into the existing neighbouring network of complementary facilities and supporting industries.”
Due to its size and aspect, the Civic site poses additional challenges. Yet the architectural work carried out by Populous brings the potential of the new stadium to life.
They recommended a specific design dubbed “Civic Bowl Option 4” for a few reasons.
First, it fits onto the tight Civic site. A “continuous bowl” similar to Bankwest Stadium in Sydney would hang over the edge of the site on one corner.
The proposed orientation prevents shadows, it has a “well proportioned upper and lower tier” according to the report, reducing walking distance between seats and toilets, food and beverage.
It apparently offers an enclosed atmosphere due to high density of fans in the lower tier and the report raises the prospect of each stand having a different identity, like active support and family spectators.
The design is said to be “unsimilar to any other stadium, thereby providing a unique venue identity”.
The authors also argue it offers a simplified design to avoid expensive detailing for construction and there is the potential for vertical structural elements in corners, reducing structural span if a fully enclosed roof is pursued.
In early 2021, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the new stadium sits lower on the government’s list of priorities than a refurbished theatre precinct, which is not due to be completed until 2026.
The report sets out a possible timeline for construction of the stadium, indicating it could be completed by 2027. But feasibility work needs to get underway ASAP.
Let Andrew Barr know how and why you think Canberra needs a new stadium. He’s on Twitter and can be emailed at andrew.barr@act.alp.org.au.
Why not give ACT Liberal leader Elizabeth Lee a nudge as well. Here’s her Twitter and her email is lee@parliament.act.gov.au.
To add your voice to the call for a new stadium, and for an email update once a month, subscribe now:
Look out for next month’s update, including a snapshot of stadiums that have built recently Canberra might like to take inspiration from.