New WIN grandstand to get green light
BY PAUL MCINERNEY
21/09/2009 3:43:00 PM
As Dragons fans lick their wounds, we can reveal redesigned plans for a new western grandstand at WIN Stadium are on the verge of being approved by the NSW Cabinet.
Costing between $25-$30 million, the new grandstand option has been favourably received by the Government after a Treasury review rejected a grander $47 million plan which included a hotel and walkway to the Steelers Club, earlier this year.
Wollongong MP Noreen Hay has confirmed the less expensive option was "now in the hands of Cabinet".
"The original proposal was way beyond what the Government could afford, but this second option is excellent and one I think the Government could support," Ms Hay said.
Wollongong Sportsground Trust chairman Chris Christodoulou said the Government needed to move quickly on making a decision so the trust could meet "a whole lot of deadlines".
"The trust would ideally like to see a decision on this before Christmas in order to allow the go-ahead of the seven NRL games of the 2010 season as part of the agreement with the St George Illawarra Dragons," Mr Christodoulou said.
"We have been in consultation with the Dragons, but if a decision to go ahead is made after Christmas the trust can't plan with any certainty."
While neither Ms Hay or Mr Christodoulou would be drawn on the timing of a pre-Christmas decision, it is likely to mean the grandstand would be completed in less than two years and an official opening within the context of a March 2011 election campaign.
Under the revised plan, the new western grandstand would seat 6000 people, about 2000 less than the capacity proposed under the initial rejected proposal.
The plan would still include new corporate facilities - which will be offered for hire outside the rugby league season - and a number of commercial premises, and include a walkway linking the western grandstand to the northern grandstand.
It will be designed to allow future expansion of corporate facilities and additional seating that will physically link the western grandstand with the existing northern and southern stands.
"The idea of having corporate facilities available for hire by the public is a whole new concept and gives WIN Stadium an opportunity to be fully utilised," Mr Christodoulou said.
"The development has the support across the community and if the Government approves it, it will ensure we can deliver first-class sporting and entertainment to the region," he said. The trust submitted the second version after a "gateway review" report by Treasury rejected it but found there was a strong case for the old grandstand to be replaced.
"We believe what's been put forward will be seen by government as a more viable option."
He said the need for a new grandstand was growing increasingly urgent with the trust forced to spend around $1 million fixing and maintaining the old one over the past seven years.
"Both Noreen Hay and the Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell have given us great support with this proposal," he said.
