Illawarra Mercury
April 16, 2003
Dragons chief executive Peter Doust has poured cold water on speculation Jubilee Oval would not be ready for the homecoming game against Cronulla.
Construction work on the ground redevelopment is still in progress and with the match less than three weeks away, time is running out.
But the Dragons boss said there was very little chance of the game being switched to an alternative venue.
"It's coming along all right. It's a tight schedule given the erratic weather we've had in recent times," Doust said.
"When you are undergoing outdoor construction, you are open to the vagaries of the weather. We are confident it will be ready for the game."
Work is being undertaken on the grandstand and a new concourse area, as well as the dressing-rooms and broadcast facilities.
The Legends Walk will not be finished for the homecoming game but should be completed by the following match at Kogarah on June 1.
St. George-Illawarra's other home base, WIN Stadium, is the obvious alternative venue if Jubilee Oval is not ready for the Sharks game.
The Mercury understands the Wollongong Sportsground Trust would be able
to host the match at short notice but would refuse to swap any of its
Wollongong fixtures in exchange for the Sharks game. Doust said if it
rained continuously at Jubilee Oval for the next few
weeks, the Dragons would have to consider their options, but he wasn't
reaching for the panic button just yet.
"There is no crisis management required at this stage," he said.
Doust confirmed that a naming rights sponsor is being sought to help fund the upgrading of the ground to NRL standard but he would not divulge which companies have indicated their interest.
Tickets for the Sharks game went on sale to the public on Monday. The Dragons were encouraged by the early response and the match looks likely to be close to a sell-out.
St.George Illawarra's other matches at Jubilee Oval this year are against out of town teams – North Queensland (round 12), Brisbane (round 17), Canberra (round 18) and the Warriors (round 22).