Wollongong has two Soccer clubs - and no home ground dedicated to the sport. It was not always that way. Many years ago the state government granted land at Brandon park for that purpose and the clubs raised money and co-opted sponsors to create a ground with facilities which included spectator seating.
Then the state government had a change of thinking. Brandon park was needed to house the University of Wollongong's Innovation campus - so the clubs were kicked out and their work bulldozed. They were granted $ 2.5 million compensation to relocate to Lysaght Oval at Figtree - and from there things went rapidly downhill !
When the last dollar of that grant was spent Lysaght oval had a half built grandstand and " the field of dreams " was nothing more than an overgrown pitch with knee high grass and weeds. Just before the last election, the then state government promised another $ 2.5 million to finish the project.
The new government has it's thumb firmly on the corner of that cheque - and for good reason !
Lysaght oval is privately owned. The owners have been offered one million dollars to transfer it to public ownership - and they have refused, They demand $ 2.5 million.
The state government is to conduct an enquiry and will look at the prospects of simply abandoning Lysaght oval and establishing a completely new facility at West Dapto. Lysaght Oval has other problems that may be solved by making a fresh start - and this may be a better way of providing both the Wollongong Wolves and Wollongong Olympic Soccer clubs with a dedicated home ground.
The Brandon Park/ Lysaght Oval transfer was a botched operation from day one. It was badly thought out - and woefully handled - and the new state government is determined not to go down that road with more money to get an uncertain result.
One of the many benefits of the new area under consideration is spectator parking. That would never happen at Lysaght oval - and considering that Wollongong has both the main Rugby League facility and the performing arts centres located in a parking desert - perhaps this may be the greatest bonus of all.
This time the right planning should deliver value for money !
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