Meeting of the Unley Oval Advisory Group

Sturt get another mention in this weeks Messenger, the article seemed ok until I reached the final paragraph and the term - "Feisty". Clearly its now yet another committee / hoop that Sturt have to work through / jump through in order to get a decent outcome for the club.


Sturt's fence plea for Unley Oval
26 JUN 12 @ 07:30AM BY EMILY GRIFFITHS


Sturt chief executive Matt Benson at Unley Oval
PERMANENT fencing at Unley Oval is vital to Sturt Football Club's future at the site, the club says.

Double Blues chief executive Matt Benson last week warned Unley Oval faced "disappearing in a haze of costs, joggers and poodles" unless it was redeveloped, including permanent fencing which would go some way to reducing Sturt's game day costs.

In a letter to Unley elected members, parts of which were posted on Unley councillor Mike Hudson's Grumpy in Unley blog last week, Mr Benson said Sturt's parlous financial state had been exacerbated by the high cost of playing at Unley.

The club last month revealed it was battling to clear a $2.2 million debt. It said it paid $5000 to erect temporary fencing before each home game at Unley.

"We pay the most of any SANFL club for the worst facilities," Mr Benson's letter said.

"The club currently pays out nearly $100,000 (a year) to council to use the Unley Oval and office space ... after five years of negotiations and dillydallying I can no longer sit in this seat and watch while the club disappears in a haze of costs, joggers and poodles."

When contacted by the Eastern Courier Messenger, Mr Benson (pictured) confirmed the letter was from him but did not want to comment further on Sturt's hopes for a redeveloped Unley Oval.

However, his letter said the future of Sturt in Unley hinged on the oval's redevelopment.

"Our very existence is currently hanging on how we reduce costs and improve facilities for our players," the letter said.

"(Sturt) would be happy to test the popularity of any (fencing) proposal rather than fall back on the old 'residents wouldn't like it' mantra which is a backward, not forward, looking catchcry. (I am confident) a picket fence ... would get majority approval when properly presented and tested."

Meanwhile, a confidential meeting of the Unley Oval Advisory Group was held last Wednesday, June 13.

The group, which is made up of Unley councillors, Sturt Football Club representatives and residents, met to discuss redevelopment plans for the ground. When contacted by the Eastern Courier Messenger last week, group members refused to comment. Cr Hudson described the meeting as "feisty" but did not want to elaborate.

http://eastern-courier-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sturts-fence-plea-for-unley-oval/