Plans afoot for 30-hectare sports complex in Sydney's north-west

[Adz]

This sounds like a good plan for Sydney especially with the SCG being unavailable with cricket commitments and the moore park ground being less than adequate. What does everyone think ?

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Plans afoot for 30-hectare sports complex in Sydney's north-west
By Stephen Rielly
March 25, 2004

The AFL and Cricket Australia have been linked to a huge infrastructure development planned for Sydney's north-west that would include a purpose-built ground for the two sports.

The project is understood to involve state and local governments who are planning for population growth in the Baulkham Hills/Kellyville region.

Neither the AFL nor CA would comment on the project but it is believed that a 30-hectare parcel of land is being considered for purchase on which a full-sized Australian football/cricket oval would be established and facilities built to create a dual regional development centre that could double as a venue for AFL pre-season matches and limited-overs state cricket.

It is understood that the acquisition of the site will be made with state and local government funds in exchange for certain committ-ments from the AFL and CA.

The Baulkham Hills/Kellyville region is seen as appealing not only because of the land it has available to build a tailored venue but ideal also for junior development given that large numbers of families and children are moving into the area because of its affordable new housing.

It is understood that the venture was discussed at length by CA at its last board meeting, although CA chief executive James Sutherland declined to elaborate.

His AFL counterpart, Andrew Demetriou, was similarly coy.

"I will neither confirm nor deny what you are putting to me," was all Demetriou would say.

[Damien]

I think it is great. We really need a suitable alternative, plus a good ground for lower tier competitions and that area has been been quite a good AFL area historically in Sydney.

[Ryan Bomford]

May be a good strategy but geez, How many big venue sporting complexes do we need around Sydney? Seems to me that the grounds we already have are already, and why would the AFL want another ground when they poured millions into upgrading Stadium Australia?

[Damien]

Originally posted by Ryan Bomford
May be a good strategy but geez, How many big venue sporting complexes do we need around Sydney? Seems to me that the grounds we already have are already, and why would the AFL want another ground when they poured millions into upgrading Stadium Australia?

They need a proper suburban ground to call home. We can't even really hold proper tournamnets in Sydney, I think is a really important move by the AFL and the bonus looks like the State Government will pay the basic costs, and the ongoing costs will be shared with Cricket.

[undy]

I'm with Damien - its bloody hard to get playing fields in Sydney whatever your sport and whatever level you are playing at. The problems that the Swans have had this year are a symptom of the shortage of playing fields in Sydney.

I'm fed up with playing sport at 10pm in the evening or nicking off from work to get to a game that starts just after 6pm. I reckon that if I had kids I'd get fed up with having to cart them off to play sport at 7.30am on the weekends. If they don't build those facilities now, whilst the area is being developed, they never will.

[Ryan Bomford]

Open up a cow paddock in Kellyville, smooth out the pot holes, d put a couple of sticks in the ground, and call it a 30 hectare sporting complex!

[jixygirl]

I don't know how desperate the situation is in Sydney but by the sounds of it, the Swans have had substandard conditions for most of the preseason. This shouldn't happen to an AFL club, and if another ground has to be built, then so be it. It' s good that the government and Cricket Australia are helping with the costs (if it's going to be built)

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by jixygirl
I don't know how desperate the situation is in Sydney but by the sounds of it, the Swans have had substandard conditions for most of the preseason. This shouldn't happen to an AFL club, and if another ground has to be built, then so be it. It' s good that the government and Cricket Australia are helping with the costs (if it's going to be built)

I seriously think the club has to be more aggressive in dealing with the SCG Trust in relation to the state of the playing surface at the Bus Stop Oval. I seriously think that they have to be fair dinkum to their major tenant and ensure that its surface is better attended to and that casual users (playing soccer generally) are barred from using the ground. It is NOT acceptable for a professional sporting club to be using public parkland as a training venue. And this is something only the SCG Trust can rectify. To me it is one more example of where the SCG Trust are short-changing our club. I'm sure they would have their beloved Waratahs or Sydney ****ty Rooter playing on such a pathetic surface.

One more reason to get out of the SCG in the long term, I say. Not only are facilities for spectator at the ground archaic, but once again facililities for players have been proven inadequate.

Will they start using the Naval Base at Randwick again, like they did in the bad old days?

As regards a new NSW centre for AFL footy, why not develop Macquarie University's Roger Sheehan Oval. Not only is it AFL sized, with a fairly decent surface, it has a natural amphitheatre with scupted grass hill. Why not whack a couple of grandstands there?

JF

PS:- Kellyville, do I really have to go all the way out THERE?

[EMJ]

Great idea like previously stated there is a great following in the area for AFL especially Baulkham Hills - this area is covered by Baulkham Hills Council - so maybe someone there is giving it support. Go ahead as quick as they can.

[bricon]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
I seriously think the club has to be more aggressive in dealing with the SCG Trust in relation to the state of the playing surface at the Bus Stop Oval. I seriously think that they have to be fair dinkum to their major tenant and ensure that its surface is better attended to and that casual users (playing soccer generally) are barred from using the ground. It is NOT acceptable for a professional sporting club to be using public parkland as a training venue. And this is something only the SCG Trust can rectify. To me it is one more example of where the SCG Trust are short-changing our club.

The SCG Trust doesn't have any responsibility for anything to do with The Bus Loop AFL Field in front of the SCG at Moore Park. That facility is managed by the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, a totally separate organization to the SCG Trust.

[BAM_BAM]

one thing everyone is overlooking, we are forced out onto the Lakeside Oval during summer and most of the pre season as cricket takes over the SCG.

Wont the same thing happen with this complex? It's mentioned it could cater to both AFL and cricket? It would have to be a one or the other for us (Swans) to benefit from it. otherwise players are jarring their legs or falling on a hard wicket surface.

If it's being used as playing fields to promote Aussie Rules to the greater community or for little ones to use, then I say bring it on.

[Dave]

Good stuff! Right near my house!

The only concern I would have is that is wasn't for exclusive use of the Baulkham Hills FC (on a local level) as they are already one of the bigger clubs in the area for junior footy.

It would need to benefit ALL the local clubs. (like the mighty Winston Hills Lions!)

[Beaussie]

The potential mentioned for pre-season games is surely a plus. 8,000 for Wizard Cup matches at Telstra Stadium doesn't look good at all.

[boroboy]

Has anyone considered this ground (if the reports have any credibility) will not be for the Swans, but Sydney's second team within the next 5 years?

Mick

[Ryan Bomford]

Originally posted by boroboy
Has anyone considered this ground (if the reports have any credibility) will not be for the Swans, but Sydney's second team within the next 5 years?

Mick

Well it reeks of Waverly if this were true.

I can't see that it would be the AFL's strategy, in the medium term at least, to have two grounds in Western Sydney assuming that Stadium Kellyville would replace the SCG. For one it goes against the prevailing strategy of having grounds close to the city to appease corporate sponsors as well as being convenient to the majority of the existing Sydney supporter base. And that won't change for awhile.

But I can see it being useful as training ground(s) for the Swans and another quality facility to add to the few decent grounds in the city for Senior Sydney footy. Good for the kiddies as well.