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First Grade
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Bye-bye Brookie
Kelly Robinson
15Nov07
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2007/11/15/7375_news.html
THE Manly Sea Eagles have begun talks with the National Rugby League to do an $8 million deal to relocate to the Central Coast.
As they continue to battle for funding to overhaul Brookvale Oval, CEO Grant Mayer told The Manly Daily the club was considering leaving the northern beaches and playing all home games at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford. Manly powerbrokers have been lobbying Warringah MP Tony Abbott and the State Government to commit $10 million to repair the run-down stadium.
Talk of the move reduced some members of the Sea Eagles board to tears yesterday, Mr Mayer said.
The club has been unable to secure a commitment for $17.5 million they say is needed to upgrade the oval and is seriously considering moving north.
While other NRL venues throughout the country have seen more than $900 million in funding in the last decade, as reported in The Manly Daily last week, Brookvale Oval has received just $1.4 million.
Prime Minister John Howard recently pledged $8 million to upgrade Leichhardt Oval in his own marginal seat of Bennelong and Penrith Football Stadium was promised $5 million for upgrading by Federal Labor.
Quad Park on the Sunshine Coast has also been promised $7.5 million from the Liberal Party and $5 million from Labor during the election campaign.
Mr Mayer told the Daily the club was exploring all options.
``This is a serious option for the club to consider,'' he said. ``We have about 10 days to convince both parties that our Brookvale Oval is in desperate need of funding and we need to see a commitment,'' he said.
``There's no secret that the stadium needs a lot of help.
``We have already moved two games to the Central Coast for season 2008.
``While our preference is, and will always be to stay here,we're seriously considering apermanent move.''
NRL chief executive David Gallop confirmed he had been in talks with the Sea Eagles.
``The offer of $8 million is on the table subject to satisfying our requirements,'' Mr Gallop said.
``One of those requirements is a true relocation and a long-term plan for the club. History shows if a club needs to relocate, it needs to truly embrace the local area.''
Mr Abbott said he was trying his hardest to secure funding.
``I am confident we will help fund the redevelopment of Brookvale Oval with federal funding,'' he said. ``It's just a question of whether the funding is secured before or after the election.''
The Sea Eagles' lease at Brookvale Oval expires in 2009 and the club believes a complete overhaul of the ground is needed.
The club has set out a huge list of repairs needed including ground resurfacing (worth $1.5 million), a complete overhaul of dressing rooms, upgraded seating in the Southern stand, Ken Arthurson stand and Jane Try stand, building of additional toilet facilities, paved car parking, upgraded corporate facilities and new ticket booths.
Kelly Robinson
15Nov07
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2007/11/15/7375_news.html
THE Manly Sea Eagles have begun talks with the National Rugby League to do an $8 million deal to relocate to the Central Coast.
As they continue to battle for funding to overhaul Brookvale Oval, CEO Grant Mayer told The Manly Daily the club was considering leaving the northern beaches and playing all home games at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford. Manly powerbrokers have been lobbying Warringah MP Tony Abbott and the State Government to commit $10 million to repair the run-down stadium.
Talk of the move reduced some members of the Sea Eagles board to tears yesterday, Mr Mayer said.
The club has been unable to secure a commitment for $17.5 million they say is needed to upgrade the oval and is seriously considering moving north.
While other NRL venues throughout the country have seen more than $900 million in funding in the last decade, as reported in The Manly Daily last week, Brookvale Oval has received just $1.4 million.
Prime Minister John Howard recently pledged $8 million to upgrade Leichhardt Oval in his own marginal seat of Bennelong and Penrith Football Stadium was promised $5 million for upgrading by Federal Labor.
Quad Park on the Sunshine Coast has also been promised $7.5 million from the Liberal Party and $5 million from Labor during the election campaign.
Mr Mayer told the Daily the club was exploring all options.
``This is a serious option for the club to consider,'' he said. ``We have about 10 days to convince both parties that our Brookvale Oval is in desperate need of funding and we need to see a commitment,'' he said.
``There's no secret that the stadium needs a lot of help.
``We have already moved two games to the Central Coast for season 2008.
``While our preference is, and will always be to stay here,we're seriously considering apermanent move.''
NRL chief executive David Gallop confirmed he had been in talks with the Sea Eagles.
``The offer of $8 million is on the table subject to satisfying our requirements,'' Mr Gallop said.
``One of those requirements is a true relocation and a long-term plan for the club. History shows if a club needs to relocate, it needs to truly embrace the local area.''
Mr Abbott said he was trying his hardest to secure funding.
``I am confident we will help fund the redevelopment of Brookvale Oval with federal funding,'' he said. ``It's just a question of whether the funding is secured before or after the election.''
The Sea Eagles' lease at Brookvale Oval expires in 2009 and the club believes a complete overhaul of the ground is needed.
The club has set out a huge list of repairs needed including ground resurfacing (worth $1.5 million), a complete overhaul of dressing rooms, upgraded seating in the Southern stand, Ken Arthurson stand and Jane Try stand, building of additional toilet facilities, paved car parking, upgraded corporate facilities and new ticket booths.
