Geoff Carr backs grand plan for WIN Stadium

Rugby league supremo Geoff Carr has called on the State Government to redirect its withdrawn funding for a western Sydney AFL franchise to the WIN Stadium redevelopment.NSW Premier Nathan Rees this week revealed the Government would not assist in funding the $100 million redevelopment of the Showground at Homebush to be the AFL base for the second Sydney team.It is believed the State Government is concerned about a voter backlash about making such a major commitment to AFL's expansion into traditional rugby league areas in western Sydney. Carr said it would make better economic sense to invest in the redevelopment of the Wollongong ground's western and southern stands because it is a rugby league ground in the middle of the code's heartland."It is a good ground and it makes sense to have the western stand redeveloped to service a region the size of the Illawarra," Carr said."And it is not only about rugby league, the fact that it is a regular field has some significance."It would provide the Illawarra with a chance to have a major multi-sport venue for the three main football codes (league, rugby union and soccer)."WIN Stadium general manager Stuart Barnes backed Carr's calls, claiming Wollongong would be able to secure elite games following the grandstand revamp, including Super 14, A-League and even Socceroos fixtures.Barnes highlighted the recent Asian Cup tie between the Socceroos and Kuwait at Canberra Stadium, suggesting WIN Stadium could attract similar games once the redevelopment is complete."We've got to have realistic expectations, I mean we wouldn't suddenly expect All Blacks versus Wallabies games," he said."But we would certainly look to hold elite rugby union, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas games."Barnes also declared the introduction of leading conference facilities and new retail outlets at the Wollongong ground would make the WIN Stadium redevelopment significantly more viable than any AFL upgrade in western Sydney. The WIN Stadium proposal outlines a redevelopment of between $45-$60 million, boosting the seating capacity to 24,980 people.More crucially, it would upgrade facilities, create 24 new corporate boxes for games as well as new change room and gymnasium facilities and retail spaces on the western side of the ground facing Harbour St.The State Government has already spent $15 million as part of a $27.5 million development of a Blacktown training facility for the western Sydney AFL franchise, before withdrawing its support for the Sydney Showground upgrade.