http://m.couriermail.com.au/sport/n...lles-new-stadium/story-fniabn55-1227261806081
THE NRL would consider multi-million investment in Townsville’s proposed new CBD sports stadium and possibly taking up the stadium management rights.
The Palaszczuk State Government’s commitment of $100 million, $50 million less than the LNP’s election promise had been, has recast discussions about the funding model and facilities in a new Townsville stadium.
The size of investment from the NRL, whose Cowboys would be the major drawcard, and other private companies could ultimately decide the capacity of the stadium and whether the precinct will serves other sports.
The AFL contributed $12 million towards the construction in 2011 of the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium during the term of the Bligh Government and received in return stadium management rights.
In turn, the Suns received from the AFL those management rights for a 10-year term, during which time the club earns income from concessions on game nights but is also exposed to any losses derived from those rights.
On February 3, three days after the state election, a Labor statement said its $100 million commitment to the stadium remained and would “not change’’.
“The NRL is working with all tiers of Government to deliver a new Townsville Stadium as the first stage of a broader sports and entertainment precinct,’’ an NRL spokesman told The Courier-Mail.
“We are working with Townsville Council and the Australian Government to explore funding options that will build on the initial $100 million contribution from the Queensland Government.
“The NRL has not been approached by the Queensland Government about making a contribution to the capital costs of the stadium or about management of the stadium.
“We will ultimately discuss all funding options, including management rights, with the Queensland Government at an appropriate time.
“We believe the greatest contribution we can make is guaranteeing ongoing content, which will have a far greater value in the long term.’’
The NRL believes the stadium must have a rectangular field and 25,000 seats, with the capacity to expand to 30,000 in future.
“The State Government is keen to see the project go ahead, which is really good,’’ Cowboys chief executive Peter Jourdain said.
“They’ve pledged support pretty much to Townsville as a city and the entertainment centre and stadium as a project.
“We won’t know (the size of any required private investment) until we get to the design phase and we know what the costings are and what funding the levels of government are willing to put in. We have the support of the NRL, so I am confident it will get there.
“We have to work through hopefully a design stage fairly soon and get it properly costed, go through from there in how we get it funded.
“The ideal situation is to get it (operational) by 2020. But we are six to 12 months behind that timetable now.’’
Proponents of the CBD stadium, including the Cowboys, say it would help the city’s entertainment businesses with 12 NRL home games, plus any additional events such as rock concerts.
Metricon Stadium has only AFL matches planned for 2015, but earned additional income from a Big Day Out concert staged in 2014 and a 2011 International Rules match.
