Swans swoop to save grandstand

Austadiums • Sunday 19th June 2005

The Sydney Swans are making a last-ditch bid to save South Melbourne's historic Lake Oval grandstand.

A high-profile syndicate, including Swans' board member Rob Pascoe and the club's Victorian manager Tony Morwood, has begun a campaign to stop the stand being demolished.

The stand was built in 1926 and hosted South Melbourne supporters until the end of the 1981 season, when the side relocated to Sydney.

The grandstand has been under threat for several years and is in disrepair.

Parks Victoria has been considering its future, at what is now known as Bob Jane Stadium, for several years.

In November it promised it would not demolish the stand for at least 12 months to allow Mr Morwood's group to put together a redevelopment proposal.

Mr Morwood said he hoped the grandstand could be renovated and used as the Swans' Melbourne base and museum, or as a community facility.

The Swans' 229-game player and Team of the Century member said the stand was an important link for Sydney to preserve its South Melbourne heritage.

"It is a significant part of our history. If it was to go it would be a real kick in the backside," he said.

Mr Morwood said he believed Parks Victoria was not concerned about the potential loss of the grandstand.

"They don't care, they want it fixed in some way, either restored or knocked down," he said.

In a letter to the group in November, Parks Victoria commercial business general manager Geoff Bray said the authority would look favourably on a redevelopment proposal related to sporting heritage.

"I can confirm that demolition of the grandstand will be put on hold for 12 months," he said.

"Parks Victoria is pleased to explore the potential of retaining the grandstand as a monument to the sporting greats of old and to work with your syndicate to bring about the preservation of an important part of Melbourne's sporting history."

Lakeside Stadium

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The Sydney Swans are making a last-ditch bid to save South Melbourne's historic Lake Oval grandstand.
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