Magazine - Plans for Junction Oval at Risk

By Editor in Cricket on 4th Jan 2010 6:00

Victoria's move to set up an elite multi-million-dollar training centre at the Junction Oval is in jeopardy, with the body unable to come to rental terms and restrictions with the ground's controlling government department, Parks Victoria.

A year ago, Cricket Victoria agreed in principle to take over the lease from the Melbourne Cricket Club in 2013 but CEO Tony Dodemaide said the asking price of the yearly rental is ''double or three times as much as what we believe … footy clubs pay for their grounds like North at Arden Street and Essendon at Windy Hill with their leaseholders''.  "We consider ourselves to be equivalent to them,'' he said.

Dodemaide is also concerned that when the substantial renovations are undertaken by Cricket Victoria and its partners, there could be further rental increases. He wouldn't say what the asking price is.  Ironically, another state department, Sport and Recreation, is backing Cricket Victoria's move to set up a precinct like that in Queensland of Allan Border Field. Dodemaide described the negotiations as ''a hard egg to crack''.

Other stakeholders are original tenants the St Kilda Cricket Club, the Melbourne Football Club (for training) and the Old Melburnians Football Club (training and playing). Parks Victoria was unable to make a comment until the holidays end.

Melbourne Football Club is about to finish its last pre-season before moving to Casey but Old Melburnians are fretting about its tenure.  Dodemaide said it was up to the MCC to work out an arrangement for Old Melburnians.

Source & More: www.theage.com.au

Read more articles in Cricket, by Editor or from January 2010.