$6m block on stadium plan

GEELONG city council is under pressure to find $6 million to allow the Simonds Stadium redevelopment to go ahead. As we report today, the Cats have asked the council to hand over the money, or they say this $90 million project cannot go ahead.

The $6 million is the final portion of funds needed after contributions from the State Government and the AFL.

The councillors need to decide whether they want to put the money in or have the development delayed.

It is clear council now finds itself boxed into a corner — find $6 million or wear the fan fallout of being the ones that stopped the redevelopment.

It’s a tough position. With a budget that is under pressure and a swag of services it needs to fund, where does the council find $6 million?

What services will go? What charges will go up? What costs will be saved to find that $6 million?

There is no doubt that the debate will be vigorous and heated.

The view of this newspaper on the stadium redevelopment is well known — we want it to happen.

But — and we have made this point many times — Simonds must become a stadium for all the people.

It is not enough that it only hosts a few footy games a year.

If the stadium is to get $6 million of ratepayers’ money, it must host more events — many more events — outside footy.

The stadium is a vital community asset that gives, through the Cats, so much joy to the people of this city. But we need more.

We want it redeveloped, we want it to host so many more events. If it does, then the $6 million will be an investment worth making.