http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...n-stadium-to-get-289mil-makeover/1651650.aspx
WIN Stadium to get $28.9mil makeover
BY BRETT COX
17/10/2009 4:00:00 AM
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...n-stadium-to-get-289mil-makeover/1651650.aspx
The future of major sport and entertainment events in Wollongong has been assured, with a State Government commitment yesterday to build a new $28.9 million western grandstand at WIN Stadium within three years.The decision guarantees the long-term presence of the St George Illawarra Dragons NRL side in the city and boosts plans to one day establish an A-League football team within the region.
The two-tiered grandstand will include 6170 covered seats, increasing the ground's total capacity by 3758 to 23,150.
The announcement by Premier Nathan Rees followed agreement by State Cabinet on Tuesday to go ahead with the plan after a decade of lobbying from sporting, business and community leaders, including Illawarra MPs Noreen Hay and David Campbell.
Mr Rees said the Federal Government would be approached to pay half the cost of the new grandstand - but insisted the project would go ahead with or without national funds.
"A great city merits a great stadium," Mr Rees said.
"This is an upgrade the people of the Illawarra deserve and that the people of the Illawarra will get.
"Many years ago now the Government helped fund the Northern Grandstand and now it's time to finish the job, replacing the 50-year-old western grandstand and putting a brand-new state-of-the-art facility in."
The new grandstand is a more modest version of an initial $47 million proposal which included a hotel and walkway to the Steelers Club. It was rejected by the Treasury.
Included are four commercial areas facing Harbour St that will be put up for lease, two function areas and media facilities.
The western change room will be relocated to the southern grandstand, where minor refurbishments will occur, including the upgrade of corporate boxes.
