Lights bid ‘still alive’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG Football Club could still win funding for Skilled Stadium lights despite running third in a race for federal grants, according to Cats chief Brian Cook.
Mr Cook said Federal Government might not follow Regional Development Australia (RDA) funding recommendations.
The Independent revealed last week that Geelong Library and Heritage Centre was RDA’s top priority project in the region vying for limited federal funds.
“Those rankings will get serious consideration but I don’t think the Government will simply follow those priorities,” Mr Cook said.
“It will be difficult for anyone to get funding given the amount of applications for a limited pool of money.
“I believe the Government will give an indication to those who put up a good project in the first round that they’ll get serious consideration in the second round. It’s my belief that over time all these projects will be funded.”
Mr Cook said the stadium Could “live without lights” until at least 2014, but not beyond.
“This has economic impact on the Geelong community. If the community wants more events then it has got to support these things.
“It is not simply a football issue.”
Geelong Twenty20 bid chairman Michael King said lights at Skilled Stadium were crucial to any future licence.
“We’ve kept in close contact with Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria because we expect the competition to be expanded within two or three years,” Mr King said.
“If Geelong wants to be a strong second tier city it needs to have the sporting events that lights will bring.”
Mr King said a stadium with lights could also host national rugby league and union matches, soccer and concerts.
“A lot of public money has gone into the stadium and if cricket can get a licence it could double the number of events at Skilled Stadium.”
Mr King said the lights would provide a strong return on investment.
“We’re all in competition for the dollars but hopefully all projects can get up.”