As part of the regular Council meeting,(26th August, 2002)Kogarah Council received a Mayoral report to update Councillors on the progress of the return of the Dragons to Jubilee Oval.

Kogarah Council endorsed in principle a Public Fund Raising Appeal. The Appeal would be "seeking donations towards the improvement to Kogarah Jubilee Oval so that preliminary work can commence in preparation for such an appeal, if Council endorses the submission of the grant application at its meeting to be held on 9 September 2002."

A further report will be submitted to Council at the meeting to be held on the 9th of September which will provide "full details of the positions of Hurstville Council, Rockdale Council and St George Leagues Club in relation to the Regional Sports Facility Program Grant prior to the grant application being lodged."

Mayor Jim Taylor confirmed that he had met with the St.George-Illawarra Dragons, Channel 9, Foxtel and the NRL's Grahame Annesley and John Brady at Jubilee Oval to conduct an inspection of the ground.

An inspection of the ground, grandstand and other facilities was undertaken and a list of necessary improvements was compiled*

While the list is yet to be reviewed and the costing of the projects has not been finalised, it is expected that the total cost will fall between $700,000 and $800,000.

Mayor Taylor stated that there was an opportunity to apply for a Regional Sports Facility Program Grant through the Department of Sport & Recreation.

The highest grant that can be applied for is $400,000. Mayor Taylor confirmed :

"...the terms of any successful grant application is that the funds have to be matched on a dollar for dollar basis. In reviewing the criteria required for a grant, verification is required that the funds are available to commence and complete the project."

A Mayoral report on the Joint St.George Councils Meeting was also received. At this joint-Council meeting, the return of the Dragons to Jubilee Oval was recognised as a project worthy of regional support. 

It was agreed that the Mayors of Hurstville & Rockdale would seek financial support from their Councils and advise Kogarah Council of the outcomes of those decisions by Thursday, the 29th of August. However, funding may not be available until the 2003/2004 financial year.

Mayor Taylor added :

"It is then proposed that the Mayors will then meet with the CEO of St George Leagues Club to discuss funding support for the project and also a guarantee of matching the total grant funds so as to enable the grant application to be lodged. This would enable Councils to commit now but allocate money in next years budget. It would also enable a public fund raising appeal to move forward in the next few months to assist in raising the funds necessary to match the grant funding. If these issues can be resolved satisfactorily then the 
grant application can be lodged."

The Mayor called for a "Bring the Dragons Back to Kogarah Oval" appeal to be launched and co-ordinated by Kogarah Council. The objective of the appeal would be to "raise funds from the community that would be specifically directed to ground improvements necessary to enable the Dragons to return to Kogarah and would therefore assist in matching the grant funding if successful."

If Kogarah Council proceeds with the grant application, there will be recommendations made for the establishment of a Steering Committee to co-ordinate the fundraising. The Steering Committee is likely to be comprised of Kogarah Council, the Rockdale Mayor, the Hurstville Mayor, the Dragons and some Local State Members such as Cherie Burton.

The grant application has to be lodged by September the 11th, 2002. There are still a number of critical matters that need to be resolved before the grant application can be lodged. The critical Council meeting for the grant application is September the 9th, 2002. 

At this meeting, Mayor Taylor expects to be able to "provide Council with the full details of the outcomes with Rockdale and Hurstville Councils and the meeting with the St George Leagues Club." 

* JUBILEE OVAL - DRAFT SCOPE OF IMPROVEMENTS

Parking & Landscaping & Field

1) Create hardstand area for outside broadcast control units. Area: 20x25m
2) Reconstruct kerb, driveway and retaining walls to allow access for 2 semi-trailer units.
3) Upgrade power supply to provide
* Cutler Hammer DS63 outlets x 3 or
* Wilco 5 pin 3 phase (50amp) x 3
4) Improve cabling run to allow re/de-rigging to occur without the obstruction from match crowds
5) Increase toilet and kiosk facilities at the `Hill'.
6) Upgrade to entry
7) Landscape improvements to perimeter of facility.

Media

1) Enlarge main camera position to accommodate 3 cameras, at correct height and allow for manoeuvring and interview space behind. It is preferred if these cameras can be located on the half way line to preserve the perspective.
2) Roof camera - construction of access and walkway to OH&S requirements.
3) Field cameras - alterations to boundary fence to allow space for cameras at `dead ball lines'
4) Enlargement of commentary box to allow for 4 commentators, TV producer, Associate Producer and statistician. Alterations to floor height to provide a clear view of the whole ground above the spectators.
5) Air-conditioning or natural ventilation to the commentary box.
6) Upgrade radio commentary boxes.
7) Cable access, power and provision for point of view cameras in each dressing room.
8) Installation of access hatches to allow day cabling to enter the building.
9) Media room with interview facilities adjacent change rooms.

Grandstand

1) Upgrade balustrades to meet the current BCA requirements
2) Adjust and refurbish corporate boxes. Provide air-conditioning or natural ventilation to boxes.
3) Provide additional Male & Female Toilets for corporate boxes.
4) New corporate boxes to be provided to lower seating tier.
5) Demolish existing kiosk, commentators box and toilets to south of stadium. Install new seating and large concrete platform for the installation of marques.
6) Hoist for food delivery from Kiosk and kitchen to Corporate boxes. To be installed in shaft adjacent fire stair.

Services Upgrade

1) Upgrade lighting and electrical to meet current Australian Standards and BCA
2) Upgrade communications including installation of Fibre Optic connection for media.

NOTE : This list of improvements does not include repairs and maintenance work to the existing facilities.
 
 

For information on home ground issues and the search for a St George home ground - click here

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