STADIUM STAGE 5 MUST DELIVER ON PROMISES

GRAEME Vincent’s piece “I want more” (GA 21/2) provided an evenhanded analysis of GMHBA Stadium’s status, operations and final stage funding pros and cons.

A number of fair questions were also posed.

An overarching question might have been — what might be expected upon Stage 5 completion of a close to $1 billion, largely taxpayer-funded 40,000-seat stadium? And how could this multi-purpose asset best serve the state’s largest provincial city and regional surrounds?

Three suggestions:

INCLUDED within the final stage build should be most of the Geelong convention centre.

Much in terms of display, meeting rooms and high-quality hospitality are already under-utilised and in place.

Deakin University’s waterfront campus carpark should be preserved for future expansion because God didn’t make any more land;

PRINCIPAL tenant the Geelong Football Club, with 400-plus staff, is a Geelong brand driver that also puts money back into the local economy, as well as providing a lifestyle enhancer for many. However AFL bottom-line reality means that nine home games is probably as good as it’s going to get.

The club needs to become more thrifty as well as more entrepreneurial. Calling for a convention centre location rethink would assist with the latter; and

THE club also needs to be more open and welcoming, especially from November-March, to broader stadium usage, particularly for concerts. In relation to the latter, longer term a separate training ground facility needs to be revisited.

And finally, Graeme Vincent’s quango labelling of the Kardinia Park Trust with 18 staff and a $2 million annual payroll is a fair call.

While the trust has made some difference with provision for limited soccer and cricket matches, music/ arts events which are touted every time funding is sought, still haven’t got a gig.

And that’s not good enough.

Richard Worland, Manifold Heights