Sydney Olympic Park. Stadium upgrade opened

Premier Barry O’Farrell has opened the revamped Sydney Showground Stadium. Key features of the upgrade include new grandstands to the north east and south east of the stadium; an increase in capacity for seating from approximately 13,000 to 25,000 and in concert mode 40,000; and upgraded corporate hospitality, bars and function space. The $65 million upgrade was jointly funded by the NSW government, the Australian Football League and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.

Sydney Olympic Park. Horse lovers on show

After two years of planning with Equestrian Australia, Events NSW and Sydney Showground, horse lovers from Australia and overseas will the inaugural Equitana Sydney event, at the Showground, from November 10-13. The event will also incorporate the Equestrian Australia – Australian Grand Final.

Sydney Olympic Park. "Best Venue"

Sydney Showground was crowned Best Venue at the 2011 Australian Events Awards staged at Allphones Arena, beating Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and AAMI Park. The Awards are a celebration of the thriving national events industry, from major sporting tournaments and arts festivals, to charity events and business conferences.

Sydney Olympic Park. assessment on project

The Department of Planning is assessing the redevelopment of Sydney Showground Main Arena, at an estimated cost of $73 million. The proposal includes reconfiguration of the main arena into a multi-purpose oval capable of accommodating a range of cultural and sporting activities; installation of a new video board and PA system; and an increase in capacity up to 25,000 patrons.

Sydney Olympic Park. Changes to showground

The Department of Planning has on public exhibition a DA for the reconfiguration of the showground main arena, within Sydney Olympic Park, into an oval capable of accommodating an enhanced range of of sporting and cultural events in three modes: show, concert and sporting. Estimated capital investment, $73 million. Construction jobs, 150. Ongoing jobs, 100-200 during events.

Sydney Olympic Park. Concurrent development

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia believes the only way that Sydney could compete for convention and exhibitions, with interstate venues, would be to expand the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and develop the Sydney Showground, at Sydney Olympic Park, concurrently. The O’Neill Report noted that Sydney needed an additional 40,000 square metres of space, for the city to be competitive,