By Dean Ritchie, Rugby League Writer
Daily Telegraph
May 4th, 1999
Kogarah Oval - the mighty St. George Dragons’ home ground for 48 years - was yesterday handed a death sentence.
Officials of the merged St. George-Illawarra club and Kogarah Council have met and resolved that any proposed upgrade of the suburban ground is not feasible.
The council plans to establish a local government working group aimed at finding a new venue in the district that could host the joint venture club’s Sydney matches and have a ground capacity of at least 20,000.
But Kogarah Mayor Graeme Staas admitted yesterday finding such a site would “not be an easy task”.
Kogarah Oval was St. George’s home ground during the club’s historic reign of 11 successive premierships between 1956 and 1966.
Saints’ final match at Kogarah will be on the weekend of August 13-15 against the Newcastle Knights (round 24).
“There will be tears in the eyes of fans that day,” said St. George-Illawarra chairman Doug McClelland yesterday.
“There is a lot of history at Kogarah but time moves on. We are obviously disappointed that Kogarah Oval is inadequate for the Dragons’ home ground to bring us in line with the NRL criteria relating to home venues. It is unfortunate but it is a reality we must face.”
The working group will include representatives from Kogarah, Hurstville and Rockdale councils and the St. George club.
The Federal and State governments will also be invited to nominate representatives for the working group.
Home matches may be played at the SFS or Stadium Australia, Homebush next season while the club searches for a new venue in the St.George Shire.
Additional matches have not been set down for Steelers Stadium.
Kogarah Oval does not have adequate seating, lighting, parking or media facilities required in the NRL criteria.
“We are sensitive to the concerns of supporters who have been attending home games at Kogarah for many years and appreciate there are special nostalgic memories from the great games at the ground,” said McClelland.
“However, we must be realistic and accept that Kogarah Oval cannot be upgraded to the necessary standard to compete in the elite NRL competition. There is no room to expand the existing site. A 20,000 capacity could not be supported by the necessary infrastructure, including parking and traffic management. Also, the required lighting for night games would impact on residents.”
St. George moved to Kogarah Oval in 1950 after playing their first 29
years at Hurstville Oval and Earl Park.