Doust douses Kogarah speculation

[Willow]

<tt>Doust douses oval speculation
By Paul Suttor (Illawarra Mercury – 16/04/2003)
Dragons chief executive Peter Doust has poured cold water on speculation Jubilee Oval would not be ready for the homecoming game against Cronulla.
Construction work on the ground redevelopment is still in progress and with the match less than three weeks away, time is running out.
But the Dragons boss said there was very little chance of the game being switched to an alternative venue.
"It's coming along all right. It's a tight schedule given the erratic weather we've had in recent times," Doust said.
"When you are undergoing outdoor construction, you are open to the vagaries of the weather. We are confident it will be ready for
the game."
Work is being undertaken on the grandstand and a new concourse area, as well as the dressing-rooms and broadcast facilities.
The Legends Walk will not be finished for the homecoming game but should be completed by the following match at Kogarah on June 1.
St.George-Illawarra's other home base, WIN Stadium, is the obvious alternative venue if Jubilee Oval is not ready for the Sharks game.
The Mercury understands the Wollongong Sportsground Trust would be able to host the match at short notice but would refuse to swap any of its Wollongong fixtures in exchange for the Sharks game. Doust said if it rained continuously at Jubilee Oval for the next few weeks, the Dragons would have to consider their options, but he
wasn't reaching for the panic button just yet.
"There is no crisis management required at this stage," he said.
Doust confirmed that a naming rights sponsor is being sought to help fund the upgrading of the ground to NRL standard but he would not
divulge which companies have indicated their interest.
Tickets for the Sharks game went on sale to the public on Monday. The Dragons were encouraged by the early response and the match looks likely to be close to a sell-out.
St.George Illawarra's other matches at Jubilee Oval this year are against out of town teams – North Queensland (round 12), Brisbane (round 17), Canberra (round 18) and the Warriors (round 22).

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[imported_Noodles]

Dooesn't fill you with confidence does it !!

I hope it is ready, it would be a bit of disaster if it isn't given the fact it is practically sold out.

Thepoint that Wollongong wouldn't swap a game, just take over seems a bit extreme (this is coming from a Wollongong resident).

I bet the people of Wollongong would be up in arms if one yearWIN had a mishap and Kogarah said we'll take that game thanks, but you get nothing in return.

It's especially rough when you consider the people who bought Kogarah only season tickets for 5 games - what would happen to them ?

If they get to use this pass at WIN for the Sharks game, what about the WIN only season ticket holders.

I'm OK - I've got the 12 game ticket but there are plenty who don't.

Probably just me being pessimistic I suppose. It's better to be this way - then you are always satified with the outcome

 

[Willow]

"I hope it is ready, it would be a bit of disaster if it isn't given the fact it is practically sold out."
Noodles, I pretty sure disaster can be averted even if its not completely finished. Its not like it'll be a hard hat area.

The whole issue of doubt stemmed from a an article in the St George Leader which said 'one week if rain' would put the whole project behind schedule. The above Doust article is really just a right of reply.

I for one don'tmind if there is a some unfinished work on May 4th. IMO, thats not the issue... getting back to Kogarah (andgetting out of the SFS) was the issue.

"I bet the people of Wollongong would be up in arms if one yearWIN had a mishap and Kogarah said we'll take that game thanks, but you get nothing in return."
I get a little tired of the district thingy. I get emails from people sometimes carrying on about who got the better deal out the JV or who is trying to pull wool over the eyes of whoever... quite frankly, people should get over all that.

All R2K ever asked for was a 50% return of home games to Kogarah Jubilee. This was in the original JV agreement. No one has ever asked for games to be taken away from Wollongong who still have a 7 game take of the 12 games - if another game is played at Kogarah in 2004 to make 6 games each, then it will merely be a 50/50 split which was the original agreement.
I'm not referring to you Noodles, just the people who always so keen to be 'up in arms'.

 

[imported_midas]

"Legend,s Walk"-shit he,s everywhere.!

 

[imported_Noodles]

We might have interpretted this differently Willow.

I thought it was pretty much a given fact that Kogarah won't be fully complete for this game.

There is speculation that the ground will not be able to host this game, and a few of the statements from this article seem to indicate the speculation is justified.

The game is just about sold-out, and I doubt it is because it is going to be a high quality encounter given the way both us and the Sharks are going.

The return to Kogarah is the reason many would have purchased tickets, and if the game isn't played there, then there will be plenty looking for money back if it needs to be moved.

I'm with you about getting a little tired of the regional issue.

I was sticking up for Kogarah in my last earlier post - if the game can't be held there then there should be a swap with WIN, rather than WIN just pick-up the game with Kogarah missing out all together.

I'm very supportive of the return to Kogarah, and have always agreed with the 50/50 split of home games.

I got a season pass for the 1st time ever this season, and I talked a few friends into getting them as well. My friends from home only bought the WIN pass, and my friend from work in Sydney just got the Kogarah pass. Only me and Mrs Noodles got the 12 game ticket.

It would be nice if the two regions were not an issue, but I think it will be for a while yet.

Anyway, I'm careful not to turn threads into Illawarra v St George debates as they acheive nothing positive, but sometimes a point is made by accident.

Here's hopeing everyinthg will be OK for the 4th of May. I can't wait.

 

[imported_Saint_Benny1]

The game will go ahead barring three weeks or rain- not looking good outside!

 

[Willow]

Sorry Noodles, I was making that last post in between phone calls and pesky customers.
Thanks for clarifying what you meant.

I was told that the Kogarah game is a goer although a lot of people are concerned about the tight schedule... which is fair enough.
When asked my opinion, I said I'll be there even if I have to sit on rubble.... it seems that I may have been taken literally.

 

[Willow]

I just a call from a more than reliable source.

The workers laid a slab of concrete today <u>in the rain.</u>
They are also proceeding with work over the Easter break regardless of the weather. Thats sounds like fast tracking to me.

The word is that a mess will evident in the street... in particular Park Street which may still be there come match day.

The odds are in favour of R2K happening on May 4th and the good news is that my tickets are in the mail.Great service.

 

[imported_Noodles]

I bet most of the posts made on these forums are interpretted differently by different people !!

But it can make for some interesting exchanges, so it is all good.

Are you coming down for the game Willow

 

[imported_Noodles]

From post 8, it looks like you are !

 

[Willow]

NoodlesRomanoff: "Are you coming down for the game Willow"

I am mate.
If you're interested, a number of us are having a celebration at the St George Leagues club the night before - in the Riviera Room which has been booked for the occasion.

It's sure to be a good time had by one and all.

Its Saturday night the 3rd May andisgoing to plugged heartily next week... you can take this as me letting the cat out of the bag.

 

[imported_R2K]

Good comments Noodles, that's very decentconsidering you come from the 'Gong.

I walked by Kogarah yesterday and work was continuing on the back of the grandstand. Good progress appears to have been made on the new toilet and the hill seating too.

 

[imported_Noodles]

Willow

Sorry for the delay in responding - blame it on the holiday break.

Won't be able to make the night. On another photo there is a photo of tickets, is this where you are sitting - I think I'm in the lower concourse too !

 

[Willow]

Yes those are my tickets Noodles. Lower concourse... 3rd best seats in the house!

 

[imported_Gorilla]

Ha, Willow ! The trouble with seats is that you have to rise out of them……….. Look for me on the hill, in the middle at the back – screaming "Give it to Stevens" I hope you're not planning to take part in the rumoured mass field invasion. See you Sat night on the Riviera

Goz

 

[imported_Noodles]

"On another photo there is a photo of tickets"

I'm glad you can work out what I type !

Cool, if we're in the same area I'll find you and say hello - I'm sure it is the same section, I'll check my pass tonight.

I'll be the one wearing the Dragons jumper

 

[Willow]

"I'll be the one wearing the Dragons jumper..."
lol. No worries mate, I'll be the one wearing the Dragons jumper too... I'll keep a look out for you.

Goz... will most definitely catch you at the Taj on Sat night. Cheers.

 

[Willow]

ShouldNB the PR from R2K... for those wondering, all are most welcomed:

To celebrate the return of the Dragons to Kogarah's Jubilee Oval, R2K has organised a drinks night at the St.George Leagues Club on Saturday, May the 3rd. The drinks night will commence in the Riviera room from 7:30pm and is occurring on the night before the Dragons' long awaited return to their spiritual home. The return to Kogarah will mark one of the more significant days in the Club's history. The refurbishments to Jubilee Oval have transformed it from a neglected suburban ground with a rich history to a community asset with a bright future. The improvements to Kogarah have therefore secured the future of elite rugby league in the St.George district. R2K has organised the drinks night to celebrate the historic return and all supporters are encouraged to attend the night. Drinks are priced at standard Leagues Club prices. For additional information about the R2K drinks, you can contact: drinks@r2k.info

 

[saintess]

Willow, we have a previous dinner to go to Saturday night but I was hoping to catch up with you at the game ..... I'll keep an eye out for you, for a chat before then.

Our tickets are lower grandstand if thats any help .... I have no idea

 

[Willow]

Are lower grandstand and lower concourse the same thing?