FOOTBALL
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South Coast Wolves' search for a training base for 2015 appears to be over with the club set to train out of Thomas Dalton Park.
In a massive boost for the region's elite team, Wollongong City Council approved two projects, which should allow the Wolves to function at the multi-sport venue.
The council approved funding for a $200,000 lighting project on Monday night as well as an upgrade of close to $350,000 to the ground's existing facilities.
It ends a long search for a "home base" for the Wolves, who spent last season training out of Kooloobong Oval at the University of Wollongong.
Wolves president Andrew Byron was pleased to have a stable training location for the club.
"It is a relief," Byron said.
"This will solidify our relationship with FSC and Wollongong City Council.
"It shows the council are really taking the football seriously and we are very happy.
"It is central to both the offices at the Fraternity Club and WIN Stadium so it is ideal."
The lighting funding had been budgeted for Ian McLennan Park at Kembla Grange but Football South Coast advised the council it could be better utilised at the more central location.
It is believed the venue will have three fields, with two of the pitches holding permanent goal posts.
It will involve the Wolves sharing facilities with local touch football competitions which are played on multiple nights during the week.
The move will address the region's distinct lack of a playing facility for the Wolves.
"We have been working closely with Wollongong Council and the Wolves on this since the West Dapto development came up short at this time last year," Football South Coast chief executive Ann-Marie Balliana said.
"We have worked hard together and the Lord Mayor has been very supportive through the whole process.
"We have got to acknowledge touch football.
"They have been great throughout and it is great to see two sporting codes working together."
Balliana was adamant the West Dapto project was still on the table, but the region's governing body needed to fulfil the Illawarra's pressing need for a facility for its elite sides.
"This is definitely a great short-to-medium term solution. We needed a training base and with lighting there for both us and the other sports using the facilities, it makes it a real community project.
"We are still working towards West Dapto for the long term."
The news comes less than a fortnight after the Wolves locked in WIN Stadium as their home ground for another year.