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From today's Sunday Times:
West Australian Football could rebuild Subiaco Oval in a bold go-it-alone mission after the State government's decision to defer plans for a new state-of-the-art sporting stadium.
WAFC Chairman Neale Fong confirmed that, while only in its early stages, the audacious plan could cost $100-350 million.
A staged rebuilding, similiar to the MCGs redevelopment over the past decade, would lift Subiaco's capacity to 55,000.
The plan requires massive funding from private sector investors and some government assistance.
In a scheme almost identical to AFL loans taken for Melbourne's Dome, leading the eventual ownership by 2025, the WAFC blueprint would protect football's independence and also revenue source from Subiaco Oval.
Fong fears for future football development programs and the capacity to maintain growth if Subiaco is not revamped. He revealed the WAFC was exploring funding options.
"We can't afford to do nothing" Fong said. "Clearly, it's the commission's job to provide this leadership and we're doing that".
"We have to look at all options and we're rigourously doing this, now the government has said they can't do anything for some years".
In the wake of mounting hardships due to the global financial crisis abd capped revenue capacities at Subi, Fong has called on West Coast and Fremantle to provide projected budgets for this year.
The Eagles and Dockers inject almost $10 million into WA football coffers. Royalties for 2009 are expected to be down at least $200,000 this year, even beforefinal membership and corporate box sales are considered.