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ST GEORGE Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust has conceded the Dragons may have to walk away from WIN Stadium if there is no commitment to a western grandstand redevelopment within two years.
Doust said the $46 million upgrade was crucial to making the Illawarra financially viable to the joint venture club in the long term.
The Dragons' lease to play NRL games in Wollongong ends in 2011, meaning Doust may look to other venues for financial windfalls in the face of a global economic crisis and poker machine taxes crippling league clubs.
"I wouldn't like to nominate a time frame with these things, but we would need an undertaking about a western grandstand upgrade when the new lease is negotiated," Doust said. "If not we may well have to pursue other avenues.
"The current financial situation is challenging everybody's business models."
A State Government commission report into the western grandstand this week revealed that without a considerable funding boost it would have to close.
The Dragons are the last remaining elite sporting club left in the Illawarra, after the Wollongong Hawks could not find the funding to meet the criteria of the NewNBL competition.
South Coast Football's A-League soccer bid may also depend on whether the western grandstand upgrade gets the green light.
A traditional rugby league heartland, the Illawarra has consistently been a source of rich playing talent for the joint venture club, but the Steelers arm has struggled with ongoing debts.
It has been propped up financially by St George Leagues Club and bailed out by millionaire Bruce Gordon, whose WIN Television Corporation has naming rights sponsorships to the Dragons' home grounds in Wollongong and Kogarah.
Doust said yesterday the Dragons had already received a major boost in corporate support after the $6 million upgrade of the Kogarah ground.
"We have certainly experienced that at WIN Jubilee Oval," Doust said. "We have found some considerable increase in support since upgrading facilities there and it helps in being able to grow our yield."
St George Illawarra accepted major financial incentives to play six home games at ANZ Stadium, Homebush, last year while the Kogarah ground was being redeveloped, but the move struggled to attract Illawarra fans to the games.
State and federal representatives have said they would lobby for the new grandstand, but made no firm commitments.
Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay said the Federal Government may be able to contribute to funding.
"If the answer to that is to pump money into infrastructure then, and if, the Federal Government is willing to put some funds in to assist the State Government I will be very happy to see that happen," she said.
Member for Keira and Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell said the funding had to be weighed up against competing government priorities.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...awarra-dragons-may-seek-new-home/1437812.aspx
It would be a shame if this happened. I hope the Government pulls their finger out.
Doust said the $46 million upgrade was crucial to making the Illawarra financially viable to the joint venture club in the long term.
The Dragons' lease to play NRL games in Wollongong ends in 2011, meaning Doust may look to other venues for financial windfalls in the face of a global economic crisis and poker machine taxes crippling league clubs.
"I wouldn't like to nominate a time frame with these things, but we would need an undertaking about a western grandstand upgrade when the new lease is negotiated," Doust said. "If not we may well have to pursue other avenues.
"The current financial situation is challenging everybody's business models."
A State Government commission report into the western grandstand this week revealed that without a considerable funding boost it would have to close.
The Dragons are the last remaining elite sporting club left in the Illawarra, after the Wollongong Hawks could not find the funding to meet the criteria of the NewNBL competition.
South Coast Football's A-League soccer bid may also depend on whether the western grandstand upgrade gets the green light.
A traditional rugby league heartland, the Illawarra has consistently been a source of rich playing talent for the joint venture club, but the Steelers arm has struggled with ongoing debts.
It has been propped up financially by St George Leagues Club and bailed out by millionaire Bruce Gordon, whose WIN Television Corporation has naming rights sponsorships to the Dragons' home grounds in Wollongong and Kogarah.
Doust said yesterday the Dragons had already received a major boost in corporate support after the $6 million upgrade of the Kogarah ground.
"We have certainly experienced that at WIN Jubilee Oval," Doust said. "We have found some considerable increase in support since upgrading facilities there and it helps in being able to grow our yield."
St George Illawarra accepted major financial incentives to play six home games at ANZ Stadium, Homebush, last year while the Kogarah ground was being redeveloped, but the move struggled to attract Illawarra fans to the games.
State and federal representatives have said they would lobby for the new grandstand, but made no firm commitments.
Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay said the Federal Government may be able to contribute to funding.
"If the answer to that is to pump money into infrastructure then, and if, the Federal Government is willing to put some funds in to assist the State Government I will be very happy to see that happen," she said.
Member for Keira and Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell said the funding had to be weighed up against competing government priorities.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...awarra-dragons-may-seek-new-home/1437812.aspx
It would be a shame if this happened. I hope the Government pulls their finger out.
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