Dean Ritchie
The Daily Telegraph
May 03, 201212:00AM
A STATE government report is expected to spell the end of financial upgrades to Sydney's battling suburban grounds and bring the NRL a step closer to the AFL's controversial two-stadium format.
NSW Sports Minister Graham Annesley said the state government could not force clubs to shift from their traditional home games. But he stressed that in the current economic climate clubs may not be assured of multi-million dollar grants for stadium upgrades.
The Daily Telegraph understands the report will recommend the government focus on three or four Sydney stadiums in strategic metropolitan and regional locations.
A source claims the strategy would lead to calls for Sydney clubs to shift up to four of their biggest games each season to Moore Park or Homebush.
St George Illawarra and Manly will be pressured to take their premier matches away from Kogarah and Brookvale. Shifting matches to the 30,000-seat Allianz Stadium could reap clubs between $400,000 and $500,000 a game.
State government sources claim there isn't enough money to build and maintain a string of 20,000- to 30,000-seat stadiums throughout Sydney. The state government will next month receive a KPMG Stadia Strategy document that will reveal the priorities for future investment.
"The purpose of the report is to provide government with a road map to guide future government investment, as and when it becomes available," Annesley said.
WIN Kogarah, Centrebet Stadium and Toyota Stadium have received government funding in recent years. Suburban grounds may still receive small grants to upgrade facilities.
But the government does not believe it can justify up to six or seven multi-million dollar stadiums around Sydney, especially when they are only used up to 12 times a year and require weekly up-keep. The AFL plays most of its games out of the MCG or Etihad Stadium. But Sydney fans want sides to keep playing at suburban grounds.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/an-end-to-upgrade-grants-could-force-issue-on-stadiums-stalemate/story-e6frexnr-1226345223068
The Daily Telegraph
May 03, 201212:00AM
A STATE government report is expected to spell the end of financial upgrades to Sydney's battling suburban grounds and bring the NRL a step closer to the AFL's controversial two-stadium format.
NSW Sports Minister Graham Annesley said the state government could not force clubs to shift from their traditional home games. But he stressed that in the current economic climate clubs may not be assured of multi-million dollar grants for stadium upgrades.
The Daily Telegraph understands the report will recommend the government focus on three or four Sydney stadiums in strategic metropolitan and regional locations.
A source claims the strategy would lead to calls for Sydney clubs to shift up to four of their biggest games each season to Moore Park or Homebush.
St George Illawarra and Manly will be pressured to take their premier matches away from Kogarah and Brookvale. Shifting matches to the 30,000-seat Allianz Stadium could reap clubs between $400,000 and $500,000 a game.
State government sources claim there isn't enough money to build and maintain a string of 20,000- to 30,000-seat stadiums throughout Sydney. The state government will next month receive a KPMG Stadia Strategy document that will reveal the priorities for future investment.
"The purpose of the report is to provide government with a road map to guide future government investment, as and when it becomes available," Annesley said.
WIN Kogarah, Centrebet Stadium and Toyota Stadium have received government funding in recent years. Suburban grounds may still receive small grants to upgrade facilities.
But the government does not believe it can justify up to six or seven multi-million dollar stadiums around Sydney, especially when they are only used up to 12 times a year and require weekly up-keep. The AFL plays most of its games out of the MCG or Etihad Stadium. But Sydney fans want sides to keep playing at suburban grounds.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/an-end-to-upgrade-grants-could-force-issue-on-stadiums-stalemate/story-e6frexnr-1226345223068