Manly boost as Brookvale Oval set for $35 million upgrade
MANLY’S neglected and ageing ground is on the verge of being given a $35 million state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence, including a new 3000-seat grandstand.
NRL
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FINALLY, after a 30-year wait, Brookvale Oval is poised to be saved.
The neglected and ageing ground on the northern beaches’ Pittwater Road is on the verge of being given a $35 million state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence, including a new 3000-seat grandstand.
It would once-and-for-all end talk that the Penn family, Manly’s co-owners, want to take the Sea Eagles away from their spiritual home.
A historic announcement could be made as early as Thursday but club officials weren’t revealing any details on Monday night for fear of a last-minute hitch.
Manly had already secured grants worth $20 million from the Federal and State Governments.
It is understood the State Government is now considering another $15 million to ensure the Centre of Excellence is constructed at Brookvale.
Manly are refusing to raise their hopes after years of broken promises and empty dreams.
Although, well-placed sources claim NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres has additional money to spend after saving some cash when it was decided to redevelop, rather than tear down and rebuild, ANZ Stadium.
Manly’s Centre of Excellence would be constructed at the northern end of Brookvale Oval, where the existing scoreboard and Family Hill are located.
The Penn family would not be required to inject any money into the project.
Plans for the Centre of Excellence include housing Manly’s football operations, coaching staff and administration. It would be the first significant step in a planned overhaul of Brookvale.
There have been fears for 20 years that Manly may be forced to leave Brookie unless the famous old ground could secure a facelift.
The proposed new grandstand would back onto the Centre of Excellence and finally give Brookvale some much-needed love.
Manly would be able to ditch the demountables and compete with rival NRL clubs in terms of off-field facilities.
The Sea Eagles would train at two venues — Brookvale and the club’s existing premises at Narrabeen.
Training every day at Brookvale would damage the playing surface, with the Academy of Sport complex at Narrabeen offering three training fields.
Manly co-owner and chairman Scott Penn spoke about a Brookvale revamp during an August interview with The Daily Telegraph.
“The club is working very closely with local and State Government to make sure we have the right Centre of Excellence at Lottoland that would befit an NRL club,” Penn said.
“We are still a way away but there are certainly positive and proactive conversations going on. The area, deserves an activated precinct.”