Sports Minister pulls $10m funding pledge for Lottoland
In a huge blow for Sea Eagles fans, Sports Minister Stuart Ayres has announced that a $10 million pledge to help redevelop Lottoland is now being scrapped.
Manly
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THE $10 million the Sea Eagles believed they were promised by former premier Mike Baird to help redevelop Lottoland was on Wednesday ruled out by Sports Minister Stuart Ayres.
The club had been banking on the money along with $12 million from the Federal Government to upgrade Lottoland. It had also applied to upgrade the Narrabeen training facility at Sydney Academy of Sport as part of a centre of excellence fund.
But on Wednesday, Mr Ayres said: “Brookvale is owned by the local council. As far as the stadium is concerned local grounds need to be supported by local councils.”
The Manly Daily reported last year that Mr Baird broke the news to the Sea Eagles in a late-night call to former boss Joe Kelly that they could apply for a $10 million grant to upgrade the oval.
But today Mr Ayres said: “That $10 million was part of our centre of excellence fund.”
Sea Eagles CEO Lyall Gorman hit back, saying: “The club is strongly of the view that the original $10 million commitment by the premier at the time was dedicated to improvements and facilities at Lottoland. It will continue to vigorously prosecute that position.”
Wakehurst state MP Brad Hazzard also said he believed funds had been promised.
“My understanding is that there was $10 million offered to the Sea Eagles along with another $12 million from the Federal Government,” he said. “I will be making inquiries with the Sports Minister to determine what the full undertaking is.”
Mr Ayres, who has committed $2.1 billion to rebuild ANZ and Allianz stadiums, said the club could get support by building a centre of excellence at Lottoland.
Announcing a $1.2 million upgrade of the Sydney Academy of Sport running track and facilities, he said: “Our focus is on making sure that those investments go towards the centre of excellence so if they can come up with a viable proposal ... at Brookvale we will definitely be looking to support that.”
Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said it was “disappointing” the State Government had not kept what he understood to be two commitments.
Cr Regan said the council would still push forward with upgrades.
“I have been working on the presumption there will be no handouts from anybody and the council will work for a positive solution going forward,” he said.