Magazine - Skilled Stadium in Geelong to become a 44,000 All-Seater Ground?

By Editor in General News on 2nd Mar 2010 11:00

Skilled Stadium in Geelong could become a 44,000 all-seater ground under a radical plan to attract the soccer World Cup to Australia and Geelong.

The State and Federal governments have begun drawing up plans for a multi-million-dollar revamp to transform the Cats' home ground into a rectangular stadium in an effort to defuse a massive row with the AFL over access to Etihad Stadium. This new arrangement would allow the football season to run alongside the World Cup, with AFL games being played at Etihad Stadium without disruption during the tournament.

Premier John Brumby last night said Geelong would be a fantastic location and it would be a great outcome for AFL clubs and fans. "This proposal could see World Cup matches played at the people's ground at the MCG and at our biggest regional centre in Geelong," Brumby said. "Geelong boasts transport, accommodation and links to world class tourist destinations like the Great Ocean Road, making it an ideal location for a World Cup event."

The initial plans allow for Skilled Stadium to be converted back to an oval after the tournament. The World Cup, sport's most-watched event, is estimated to be worth up to $5 billion in jobs and tourist spending to host countries, providing governments with cover to speed up spending on roads, bridges and stadiums.

In recent months, AFL bosses have been growing increasingly angry about FIFA's pre-condition that no major sporting competitions can take place in any city hosting World Cup matches for the four weeks of the tournament.

The regulations insist that World Cup stadia must have existing advertising removed and not be used in the four-week build-up to competition.

But strong government support for World Cup games at Geelong and the MCG will hopefully breathe life back into Football Federation Australia's faltering campaign.

FIFA officials have indicated the 2018 tournament is almost certainly going to Europe, with non- European nations told to focus on 2022.

Source & More: www.heraldsun.com.au

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