Eagles call on Blumel
Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles CEO Brett Winkler believes better leadership is needed to ensure the campaign for a stadium at Stockland Park gets back on track.
And hes adamant the person for the job is councillor Debbie Blumel.
Winkler said yesterday Blumels past support of the project, combined with her position in local government, makes her a prime candidate.
Were urging the Sunshine Coast Council to appoint councillor Debbie Blumel to the Quad Park Corporation board, Winkler said.
As the head of the major projects portfolio she should be there anyway, because this is a significant project.
With the resignation of councillor (Paul) Patten, theres an opening there for her. Its clear that as the major projects person she can get access to federal and state government funds.
When contacted yesterday, Blumel said she would jump at the chance should it present itself.
It would be up to council to elect and nominate me to be on this board, Blumel said.
If this council has a mind to do that, then Id be delighted to work with the Quad Park board with a view to securing some extra funding, in particular for the stadium.
Ive been a long-term supporter of the stadium at Quad Park to the extent of getting them a $5million grant from the federal government.
I think it needs much stronger leadership and commitment, and the creation of more goodwill between the key stakeholders involved with the proposed stadium, which seems to have slipped lately, Blumel said.
Meanwhile, Winkler revealed the Sea Eagles are in talks to bring three NRL teams to the Coast to compete in trial matches at Stockland Park in February.
Potentially at the moment we have an NRL team coming for a trial game next February, but at this stage we are also talking to two other NRL clubs whod be on the cards as well, Winkler said.
Were trying to show the council that were really serious about bringing this here.
By Jon Tuxworth - Sunshine Coast Daily
wat about a trial here ffs
