It was always inevitable that the push to upgrade Campbelltown Sports Stadium would go up a gear.
But now that rugby league seems to have changed its focus from big stadiums to suburban grounds, the campaign for a multi million make over of the biggest sporting venue in outer South Wests Sydney is on in earnest.
Today local MP Greg Warren and Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic have joined forces to call for more state government investment in suburban grounds, including Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Their unity ticket on this issue comes in the way of news the NRL will demand a multi-million dollar compensation payment should the Allianz Stadium rebuild not be completed on time.
On top of that, the Australian Rugby League Commission would like to see that compensation money invested into popular suburban grounds like Campbelltown, Penrith and Manly.
Campbelltown Sports Stadium will be used significantly more when Macarthur FC Bulls enter the A-League competition later this year.
Mr Warren and Cr Brticevic (pictured) say that the rapidly expanding Macarthur region’s biggest sporting ground deserves a state government financial injection to turn it into a modern, boutique football venue that can also be used for other types of entertainment such as music concerts.
“This state government is wasting billions of dollars redoing stadiums in the middle of Sydney, while ignoring venues in outer suburbs like Campbelltown and Penrith,” says Mr Warren.
“Campbelltown Sports Stadium deserves some long overdue love and attention from Macquarie Street.
“It’s highly inconvenient getting to ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium via public transport from Macarthur – and the decision to remove direct services to Parramatta means the trip to Bankwest Stadium is also complicated and arduous.’’
The Wests Tigers play four of their 12 home matches at Parramatta, and three each at Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown.
“Macarthur is a rapidly expanding region and our stadium should reflect the needs of our ever expanding community,” Mr Warren said.
Cr Brticevic said that “it makes sense to invest in this stadium to support employment, entertainment and tourism in Macarthur – the fastest growing region in Australia’’.
“The stadium has immediate use with NRL matches and the new Macarthur FC A-League team and recently hosted several matches of the Women’s Olympic football tournament qualifiers featuring the Matildas on its world class pitch,” the mayor said.
