Western Grandstand at WIN Stadium, Wollongong | Allen Jack+Cottier Architects

As the home to the St George Illawarra Dragons the Wollongong’s WIN stadium aspires to become one of Australia’s most advanced sporting grounds, giving the fans immediate and direct contact with the field. Allen Jack+Cottier were commissioned to design the replacement of the stadium’s Western Grandstand. WIN Stadium is located on the eastern side of Harbour Street between Burelli Street and Stewart Street. It is adjacent to the WIN Entertainment Centre and within 150 metres of the surf at City Beach in Wollongong. The stadium has become a major urban presence along Harbour Street, providing a pedestrian arcade at ground level that moves upwards to create a rhythmic facade to the street. Once inside the stadium, fans have a spectacular view across the sports ground to the Pacific Ocean beyond. The Western Grandstand has a superstructure comprising in-situ and pre-cast concrete elements, with a 100 metre span roof truss floating above to support the lightweight roof. The Western Grandstand redevelopment contains 5,764 seats, new corporate entertainment facilities, ticketing box offices and turnstiles, concession areas, toilets, player dug outs, as well as referee and media facilities; all compliant with the National Rugby League standards. The quality of the new facilities will change the experience of attending functions, games and events at WIN Stadium with the real winners of the new design being the fans.