WIN Stadium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| WIN Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Sea-Side Stadium | |
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| Location | Wollongong, New South Wales |
| Opened | 1911 |
| Closed | Open |
| Demolished | N/A |
| Owner | Wollongong Sportsground Trust |
| Operator | Wollongong Sportsground Trust |
| Surface | Grass (Strathyr) |
| Former names | |
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Steelers Stadium |
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| Tenants | |
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Wollongong Wolves |
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| Seats | |
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WIN Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The stadium was officially opened in 1911. It is now used as one home ground of the St George Illawarra Dragons rugby league side. It is famous for being positioned next to the Pacific Ocean.
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[edit] History
The stadium was originally used primarily for agricultural shows and hosted a greyhound track as well, the name of the venue prior to 1911 was the Wollongong Showground. It is considered to be officially opened in 1911, when the sport of rugby league began playing at the stadium.
When the Illawarra Steelers entered the NSWRL competition in 1982, they played their home games at the stadium. Six years after their inception into the competition, the Steelers along with the then Showground Trust converted the ground into a rectangle. In 1992 the southern stand was built. WIN Television purchased the naming rights to the stadium in 1997.
In April of 2002, an $8 million upgrade to the stadium saw the opening of a new Northern Grandstand. The 6000 seat grandstand also brought increased corporate entertainment facilities.
In 2006, redevlopment will begin on the stadium's western stand. The western grandstand is to be demolished and replaced by a new stand which will hold 2500 general seats, 20 corporate boxes as well as media facilities and food and beverage outlets. The $37 million redevelopment will see a four-star hotel integrated into the stadium which allows fans to watch sporting events from the comfort of their hotel room. The believes that the redevlopment will provide significant job opportunities locally and bring in new revenue of approximately $2.1 million per year.
[edit] Use
The stadium is active during the National Rugby League season, where the St. George Illawarra Dragons play approximately half of their home games. In 2003, the stadium was host to pool games of the Rugby World Cup matches. The Wollongong Wolves soccer club whom compete in the New South Wales Premier League also play their home games at the stadium.
The current ground record that stands at WIN Stadium is 19,608, which was at a National Rugby League game, where the St. George Illawarra Dragons played local rivals the Cronulla Sharks.
In 2006, WIN Stadium will host six regular season matches, as well as a featured trial match, for the Dragons.
The stadium is also used by the Illawarriors rugby union team during the Shute Shield.
[edit] Accessibility
There is a five-bus drop-off bay located at the WIN Entertainment Centre, which is located next to the stadium. The nearest train station is the Wollongong station, which is approximately within 10 minutes walk from the stadium. As the stadium is located at the eastern end of the Wollongong Central Business District, there is a well suited public transport infrastructure. Street parking is available, though parking complexes (such as the Wollongong City Council Carpark) are usually much more accessible.
On game days when St George Illawarra play at WIN Stadium, a shuttle bus service runs between Wollongong Station and the stadium. Also, surrounding streets (including sections of Harbour St, Marine Dr and eastern Crown St) are closed to traffic.
After an event, WIN Stadium management recommend that patrons driving North to Sydney or Wollongong's Northern suburbs use an alternate route as follows:
- South along Springhill Road
- Right into Masters Road
- Continue onto Southern Freeway
[edit] External links
[edit] Official
- WIN Stadium official website
- WIN Sports and Entertainment Centres official website
- St. George Illawarra Dragons official website
