Council selects a grandstand concept design for Carrington Park

At its meeting on Wednesday, council selected its preferred concept design for the extension, option B.

This option will provide 2226 seats over a gross area of 3806 square metres at a cost of $10.5 million.

While this option will provide 40 less seats and cost $600,000 more than option A, the design will offer a wide tunnel realigned over the centreline and will be a consistent extension of the original building style using modernised materials.

The other key difference is that the kiosk will be located upstairs instead of down.

READ ALSO: Carrington Park capacity to remain restricted for Bathurst's NRL match in May

The two options were provided by architectural design consultant Group N Architecture, Interior, Landscape.

Feedback from key stakeholders overwhelmingly favoured option B.

Bathurst Panthers RLFC said that having the kiosk on the upper level would be appreciated by spectators and volunteers, as its position would allow views of the field while people are queuing and working in the kiosks.

NSW Rugby League made similar comments, while the Penrith Panthers RLFC supported option B primarily because of the NRL's operational manual guidelines around the video referee.

NEP Broadcast Services and Mojo Events were supportive of both options, however the latter had a preference for option B.

A report from council's engineering department recommended option B.

"The primary use of this facility is for rugby league sporting events, both at a local and professional level. The use of the facility for other non-sporting events should be considered of lesser importance in the design of this grandstand facility," the report said.

"Most of the user groups at both local and NRL level have expressed that the upper-level bar and kiosk option is preferable for the operational needs and user experience of their fixtures."

Group N will now refine and finalise the design and develop the documentation for the release of a design and construction tender.

But councillors anticipate it will be some time before the extension is constructed because, as the engineering director said himself, "there isn't the funding for us to be able to do it" now.

Council will pursue grants and have the project shovel-ready should money become available.

"It's there for when we get money for it," councillor Warren Aubin said.

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