New Stadium planned for Melbourne

Melbourne is to get another new stadium to add to its list of impressive sports infrastructure. Melbourne is already the only city in the world with three retractable roof stadiums.

The new 20,000 seat stadium will be built in the Olympic Park precinct and will be used for rugby and soccer. It will include a sports campus, an elite training centre and accommodation for a number of sporting organisations.

The stadium will be built at a cost of A$190 million and the Victorian Government will contribute A$149 million.

Sandra Chipchase, CEO, Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau, said that no city in the world can boast a world-class sporting infrastructure like Melbourne, so close to the city.

“Our stadiums are not only used for major sporting events, but also provide interesting and unique venues for major business events and incentives. International incentive groups can experience the thrill of walking into the centre of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where many countries have competed in historic cricket tests. Other groups can experience the excitement of Australian Rules Football, a true ‘Aussie’ experience that began in Melbourne in 1896,” Ms Chipchase said.

Competitors can also host game days, team building events and even awards dinners in a setting that rewards high achievers every weekend.

At the heart of the design of the new stadium is a Bioframe, a lightweight steel design based on the inherent structural efficiencies of the dome. The geodesic dome roof will fully cover the seating area and uses 50% less steel than a typical stadium roof. The structure is then skinned in a triangular panalised façade of glass, metal and louvers, allowing maximum sunlight and ventilation.

The new stadium is expected to be completed by 2009.

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