The federal government has pledged $7.4 million towards a new football complex at West Dapto.
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Throsby MP Stephen Jones and Cunningham MP Sharon Bird announced the funding yesterday at the site of the proposed grounds on Cleveland Road. The money is already included in the budget.
The proposed complex includes six senior-sized fields (including one synthetic field), 25 smaller fields, two indoor futsal courts, undercover and open seating, an administration and academy building, parking and amenities.
Further funding is needed for Football South Coast to reach the $14.5-million target for the project. Their application for a $7.8-million share of the $100-million Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund was also shortlisted yesterday, along with 19 other projects in the Illawarra. A decision on which projects have been successful will be announced later this year.
Mr Jones said the funding was the result of 10 years' discussion with the community.
"What it means is that you've got a home ground, not only for the elite teams but for the juniors as well. There's room to grow, it can be a nursery for future champions and attract statewide competitions."
Football is one of the most popular sports in the Illawarra, but teams have been without a central home for several years.
Other plans for failed, most notably the development at Lysaghts Oval in Figtree.
Ms Bird said football clubs in the region had made the best of haphazard arrangements in place for training and games.
"One of the really ongoing issues that has been raised with Stephen and I over the years is the need for a facility for soccer.
"The make-do arrangements they [the teams] had, they made work, but it was not the best outcome. To have a new home is a really good thing."
She expected the football complex would create jobs and attract tourism to the region.
Football South Coast chairman Eddy De Gabriele said the new grounds would be a long-term solution and a chance for teams to put past debacles over finding a home ground behind them.
He said the Illawarra had been unable to host state and national competitions without a suitable space, but had high hopes the finished project would attract teams from around the country.
"Hopefully it will get to the point where we can bring visiting international teams here too," he said.
Pictured: The Wolves’ Jacob Timpano, children Brandon De Gabriele and Luke Balliano and Stingrays player Sarah Gollop with (at rear) Eddy De Gabriele, MP Stephen Jones, MP Sharon Bird, Cr Chris Connor and Football South Coast’s chief executive Ann-Marie Balliana. Credit: SYLVIA LIBER
Football's journey
2000: Wollongong Wolves win a dramatic NSL grand final in a penalty shootout after being down 3-0 at half-time.
2002: Wolves leave home ground Brandon Park – site becomes UOW Innovation Campus. $2 million pledge to make Lysaghts Oval the club’s new home.
2004: Demise of the NSL. Wolves move into the NSW Premier League competition. Agreement made to make Lysaghts Oval the ‘‘home of football’’.
2008: Wollongong Olympic Football Club meets with council asking for an explanation about where the $2 million grant was spent.
2009: Wolves change name to Wollongong Community FC while suffering from huge financial problems.
2011: Collegians buy Lysaghts Oval for $2.2million after Football South Coast had a $1 million bid rejected.
2011: Football South Coast allocated West Dapto land for new ‘‘home of football’’.
2011: NSW government closes Lysaghts Oval investigation.
2013: $7.4 million funding for West Dapto ‘‘home of football’’ development.
