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Force's oval upgrade wish may come trueTim Clarke
April 29, 2009 - 10:20AM
Premier Colin Barnett has dropped the strongest hint yet that the future of the Western Force will be secured with funding being granted to redevelop their new home at Member's Equity Stadium.
Outgoing Force CEO Greg Harris warned last week that unless the required $75 million to upgrade the former Perth Oval was found in the next state budget, there was a real possibility the Super 14 team could fold.
The previous Gallop government originally promised $25 million to upgrade Member's Equity Stadium as part of RugbyWA’s successful pitch to host the Super 14 team.
But after the Force originally chose to stick with Subiaco after the first year crowd figures, the Member's Equity Stadium is still to eventuate - despite the mining boom and massive surpluses of recent years.
Perth Glory and the WA Reds rugby league side are also desperate for the upgrade.
Mr Barnett yesterday hinted everyone's pleas might be answered.
"When we took the decision to defer a redevelopment or rebuilding of Subiaco we have also had discussions with rugby and soccer on a rectangular stadium, because those sports are not catered for," he said.
"No decision has been made but Sports Minister Terry Waldron is working on that, and in due course I will be working on it too.
"Rugby fans tell me watching rugby at a place like Subiaco does not work, and the membership of the Force demonstrates that. Similarly attendance at soccer games has fallen.
"That is a far smaller, more modest project. We have got to balance as a government which projects go forward.
"It seems reasonable that we could proceed with improving the rectangular sports and rugby facilities."
Shadow sports minister Ken Travers said the Force had every right to expect their wishes to be granted, seeing as they were promised the upgrade four years ago.
"They have every right to expect the State Government to honour the commitment that was made to them in 2004," Mr Travers said.
"In any other sphere, if governments give a written commitment, future governments normally honour those commitments. In this case a commitment was given with the bi-partisan support.
"The problem we have got is the Government sticking its head in the sand and not dealing with the sports issues."
http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/forc...0428-alyp.html