Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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Timbo
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Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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AS the days count down to Manly's grand final clash with the Warriors, majority owner Scott Penn has admitted the club is still staring at a $1 million loss this season that he will have to pay out of his pocket.

In a wide ranging interview with The Australian, Penn spoke about a variety of topics, including the club's plan to build a $50 million stadium and the anguish he felt after a decision was made recently to sack club stalwart and his uncle, Peter "Zorba" Peters.

The Sea Eagles' financial woes have been well documented this season, the shortfall being attributed to a number of factors, including the fact the club wasn't able to secure its major sponsor - anti-virus software company Kaspersky - until late in the season.

The club will pocket $400,000 if it wins Sunday night's grand final at ANZ Stadium but Penn said it would still be short. And it would be up to his family and co-owner Quantum to bail it out.

He estimated the Penn family has sunk about $5 million into the Sea Eagles to help transform them into one of the most competitive teams since they bought a majority share of the club in 2006.

"Back in '06 we posted a million-and-a-half loss and a million in '07. Even though we made the grand final in '07 we made a million-dollar loss," Penn said.

"Even making the grand final this year, we'll probably make a million-dollar loss.

"It's primarily from spending the money that we believe needs to be spent, particularly on football, and then we've been underperforming in some other areas, like sponsorship and venue.

"We've got 3000 ticketed seats and we need 8000 to 10,000 to be viable in terms of a venue."

The club has already opened negotiations with the state and federal governments about a $50 million redevelopment of Brookvale Oval.

It hopes to have schematics of the plan to present to the government next week ahead of a master plan - currently being worked on by local council and architects hired by the club - to be tabled before the end of the year.

Penn is hoping the Sea Eagles will receive the same type of government support that both Newcastle and St George Illawarra received to upgrade their stadiums.

The plan is to extend the seating capacity at Brookvale Oval to 22,000 but more importantly to cater for 10,000 ticketed members, which would significantly boost the club's coffers.

Penn hasn't ruled out relocating the Sea Eagles for the 2013 season if the upgrade goes ahead, with the SFS and Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford the likely destinations for home games.

"We're not looking to make significant profits but we also don't want to make losses," he said.

"We're looking to break even and reinvest any profits in the team.

"They're (the governments) certainly supportive but they've also been strong in saying we need a plan - show us a plan, show us what you're trying to do and how you're trying to engage the community, and we'll see if we can find some funds."

Peters spent four decades at the club but was moved on after he fell out with new chief executive David Perry.

Penn admitted he had fought hard for Peters - who is related to the Penn family by marriage - but was out-voted by the board.

"It's been incredibly hard. He's my uncle," Penn said. "It's been one of the toughest things I've ever had to go through.

"When it's family, the support is unconditional, so we backed him fully but in the end we didn't have the numbers.

"There's no question it put a bit of strain on from within the family because everyone says, 'Surely you could protect him'.

"But unfortunately when you don't have the numbers on the board for those types of decisions, it's difficult."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sp ... 6148468214

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Timbo
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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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Better than that 'burb in brooky' nonsense.

However, what does $50 million get you these days? Bluetongue stadium cost $28 million but that was 11 years ago. I doubt you could build it today for that much.

However I guess that the new stand at WIN (with it's retractable roof even!) cost $29 million, could you build that, level the site and concourse the rest of it for $21 million? Recycle a few things like the screen and lights and you'd have a half-handy 20-22,000 seat stadium.

Having said that, the redevelopment at nib Stadium is costing $91 million for the Western Stand a few other bibs and bobs so who knows?

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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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Redeveloping a stadium for $50 million?

If that's a serious suggestion it's no wonder this administration has lost millions of dollars running Manly.

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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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They cannot expect the same support as Newcastle and STGI because those clubs have bases outside the capitals. A Kogarah style clip on at both ends of the stand is the only comparable redevelopment but we are in a different economic climate now so Penn might be a bit deluded.

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the crow
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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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Part of owning a club is owning it's debts.....

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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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$50m plan to revamp Brookvale Oval

THIS is the $50 million dream that could turn the NRL's worst suburban ground into a stunning showpiece for grand finalists Manly.

To coincide with today's premiership decider, Manly owner and chairman Scott Penn has given Sunday Telegraph readers a sneak preview of his grand plan to turn old Brookvale Oval into the pride of Sydney's northern beaches.

"It is something that is long overdue for our loyal supporters," Penn said.

"The architecture designs are hot off the press and are our first major move towards getting a professional and up-to-NRL-standard venue."

Gone will be the famous old Brookie Hill on the eastern side of the ground, replaced by 9000 undercover seats. The ground capacity would be around the 23,000 mark.

The plans were drawn up by Manly council in conjunction with the Penn family, who have been driving the campaign to get better facilities at Brookvale for a couple of years.

But now for the hard part - finding the $50 million to turn a proposal into reality.

The Penn family and Manly council have talks scheduled over the next few weeks with both the state and federal governments to lobby for joint funding.

To make the project more appealing for the wider northern beaches community and the government decision-makers, the new stadium would be set up to host other major events and even a soccer club.

"Taking nothing for granted, but we're hopeful of getting the financial support once they see what is proposed ," Penn said.

"It would become the best regional sporting facility on the north shore/northern beaches area, a wonderful venue not just for our Manly fans but for everyone in our area."

The new design leaves the current Jane Try and Ken Arthurson stands in place, with a plan to build a new eastern stand that is linked to the southern stand.

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler has been a fierce campaigner for better facilities for a number of years, often using his after-match press conferences to highlight the cause for Manly supporters.

"It doesn't have to be stated, everybody knows the state of Brookvale Oval," Hasler said.

"We do need an injection of funds. Brookvale Oval has been neglected for too long.

"The people on the northern beaches deserve better. Our home ground is an embarrassment for our fans."

Previous Sea Eagles chief executive Graham Lowe released a similar redevelopment plan last year, but nothing with as much detail to take to the governments.

"The council has not just looked at the football ground and the facilities, but other issues like improving the traffic congestion on game days," Penn said.

"And we're not just aiming to build a new grandstand. There will be brand new dining facilities and much better toilet facilities.

"Overall, we're out to ensure the game-day experience for our supporters is something special and something they can enjoy in comfort."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6155236514

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HoldenV8
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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

Post by HoldenV8 »

A little different from the original proposal a couple of months ago. Looking at it I believe it would look better if the new stand was anything other than white.

Wait and see I guess.

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the crow
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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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They probably just dont want to commit to colour in the early design phase. It keeps clients commenting on the real issues like the form of the design not just..I don't like that colour......it is going to be mostly grey anyway, the colour of concrete.

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Timbo
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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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Better, but they have to get rid of the hills. It's not 1980 anymore.

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Jeffles
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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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Someone tell Buzz that Warringah Council control Brookie, not Manly Council. Typically sloppy from him.

I think the hills need to be preserved for political reasons. An all seater would be unpalatable to local ratepayers, who will probably want to keep walking their dogs there, seriously.

But if they can get 9000 seats and 23,000 capacity, they'll be on their way a little.

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Timbo
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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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*bump*

They were talking on The Sunday Roast today about Brookvale.

Manly only got 16,000 to their elimination semi-final and rather than acknowledging they have a problem with their fans refusing to travel, they've become even more petulant and claiming it's the NRLs fault for not letting them play it at Brookvale. Which is bloody ridiculous.

They went further today, saying that with the NRL getting tougher with their stadium guidelines if they don't do something soon they may be forced to play at Allianz full time.

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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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That would be a bloody disaster getting Manly to play full-time out of the SFS. 90% of their regular fans live ages away from the Eastern Suburbs.

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the crow
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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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Meanwhile Melbourne storm will rub AAMI park in their face!!!

Boba Fett
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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

Post by Boba Fett »

There was a report on Ch 7 (I think) news last night about a study of the location of the clubs' fans. They were making the observation that some clubs have fans all over the place - from memory they highlighted the Buldogs, Souths, the Dragons and the Eels. But even Manly claimed that a fair proportion of the fans lived outside the Manly-Warringah area.

So in other words, Manly needs to get an administration in that is capable of actually running the club properly (e.g. Todd Greenberg at the Bulldogs), rather than whinging and pointing the finger at everyone else.

Imagine having the hide to complain that the NRL is actually forcing clubs to play at stadiums that have adequate facilities for players and spectators!

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Re: Manly ask for $50m for new stadium.

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The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are pleased to announce that Brookvale Oval will receive funding from the Federal Government to contribute towards upgrading the historic home of the Club.
Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP today announced funding of $10 million towards the construction of a new $30 million purpose-built Eastern grandstand at Brookvale Oval that will provide covered and tiered seating for 4,350 spectators as well as corporate hospitality, meeting and community facilities.
Once completed, this redevelopment will help ensure the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles continue to play its home games at Brookvale Oval - the home of the highly successful team since 1947.
Sea Eagles Chairman, Scott Penn, expressed his gratitude and delight at the contribution and support towards this $30 million dollar Stage One project.
"Our Brookvale Oval Committee has worked tirelessly to create a plan that suits the needs of both the community and the Sea Eagles. This funding will go a long way towards bringing our plans to fruition. This is great news for Sea Eagles members and fans."
The planned upgrade of Brookvale Oval, when fully completed, will not only support the Sea Eagles, our members and fans; it will also provide a range of community and educational benefits that are currently lacking in our region.
This component of the plan has been driven by Tim Cleary, Principal of St Augustine's College, who came to us with the concept of bringing additional educational and sporting use at the venue outside of the NRL games played there.
The Sea Eagles would like to acknowledge the hard work and passion the Hon Kerry Sibraa AO, Club Co-Patron and Chairman of the Brookvale Oval committee, has contributed to this project. Kerry has been tireless in his lobbying to Government and, with the entire Brookvale Oval committee, has been instrumental in delivering these proposed plans.
Mr Sibraa also expressed his appreciation of the much needed funding. "I'm absolutely thrilled the Federal Government is supporting our plans to redevelop Brookvale Oval. This great Club and its fans deserve this support.
"Like everyone associated with the Club, I never want us to be in the position where we have to leave Brookvale and I sincerely thank the Deputy Prime Minister and the Government", Mr Sibraa said.
Sea Eagles General Manager, David Perry, added that the funding would help the Club provide increased undercover seating, in turn boosting crowds and membership growth, ensuring the opportunity to grow revenue and secure the club financially.
"When this project is completed, the facility will include a range of educational and community facilities which will not only benefit the Sea Eagles but the whole community", Perry said

http://www.seaeagles.com.au/news-dis...-project/81186

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I am still confused.

OK, $10 million dollars which is locked in regardless. That's great.

However - as stated at the beginning of this thread, $50 million would get them an absolutely bare-bones remodel which would see them able to build an eastern stand, re-furbish the existing stands, still have to put up with grass at the northern end and have to re-cycle any 'big ticket' items such as a scoreboard or videoscreen.

They've been promised $10 million of a possible $30 million. I don't see what the 10 gets them on its own and I barely see what good the 30 will do.

Brookie needs a bulldoze and a rebuild, it's a $100 million project if done on the absolute cheap, let alone to the standards that other clubs are building to when the re-build or renovate.

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