Seating reduction confirmed, total capacity proposed as designs for sports stadium released

Early plans for what will eventually be known as the John Davis Sports Stadium as part of the $59.5 million precinct indicated it could have the largest undercover grandstand in Western NSW - with a peak seating capacity of 1622 previously reported by the CWD.

Although that number had fluctuated - with different designs indicating a small reduction was possible - hopes were still high that Orange's stadium would beat out the likes of Dubbo's Apex Oval and Mudgee's Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex, which have a grandstand seating capacity of 1340 and 1000 respectively.

But in a media release sent out by Orange City Council on December 19, it was revealed the stadium would only match Mudgee's 1000 seats.

Although the proposal for the stadium has been submitted with the state planning portal, the detailed plans are not yet available to the public.

Council said the new DA also included proposals for field lighting on the eight outside fields. It is hoped these lights could be used for night training and to allow night cricket on one of three pitches.

Plans for a new amenities building to service the eight new fields have also been lodged. The new block will be part of the athletics track grandstand.

It's expected the construction of the stadium will go out for tender in the new year, with work to begin pending planning approval.

Despite the seating number, Mayor Tony Mileto welcomed the designs.

"We've done the research and it's clear that a 1000 seat grandstand together with room for another 9000 spectators on the sloped grass banks around the main field is the most viable option for a regional sports venue," Cr Mileto said.

"It's important to remember that most events at the new stadium will be for hosting local week-by-week sporting events. The design also allows for further tiered seating to be added on either side in future years as it's needed."

This brings the maximum capacity to 10,000, the same as Glen Willow and slightly more than half of Apex Oval's 18,000.

Cr Mileto cited potential heritage issues as a reason for the grandstand size.

"Because the sports precinct proposal is right alongside the Bloomfield health precinct, the wider precinct's heritage elements were always going to be crucial when it comes to gaining planning permission," he added.

"That's why the scale of the grandstand is important. These designs have given a big emphasis to creating a building that will function for sports events while blending in with the surrounding parkland."

He added the bulk of the stadium structure will not be seen from Forest Road, with only the roof showing.

The CWD had previously revealed the expected date for completion of the entire precinct was Christmas 2026, with threats to pull funding having also been made.