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<big>Final piece of puzzle for Bears bid</big>
EXCLUSIVE by Barry Toohey and Barclay Crawford From: The Sunday Telegraph February 27, 2011 12:00AM
CENTRAL Coast Bears' coach-in-waiting Dave Fairleigh labelled it the last remaining "black hole" in the club's submission for a place in an expanded NRL.
Now, thanks to the NSW Coalition, that problem is about to be solved.
Provided they win next month's state election, the final piece in the puzzle has fallen into place for the Bears.
The NSW Opposition is set to announce tomorrow a $3.5 million funding boost to secure a training and administrative headquarters on government-owned land at Mount Penang on the Central Coast should they come into power.
"It's a massive boost for the club and our bid," Fairleigh said. "We have a stadium, great financial backing and the overwhelming support of the community - and now we are going to have somewhere we can base ourselves as well.
"It's fantastic news.
"It's the black hole in our bid that needed to be filled."
Fairleigh and Bears chief executive Greg Florimo have worked closely with Liberal MP for Terrigal Chris Hartcher to make the funding pledge a reality.
"It's a huge recruitment tool for us to be able to go out into the marketplace for players knowing we will have a world-class training facility to attract them," Fairleigh said.
"It also sends a good message to the NRL. Chris has been a huge supporter."
The $3.5 million will be used on stage one of the development, with the area eventually to be turned into a sporting precinct complete with a 50m outdoor pool, indoor pool and basketball centre. There will also be a multi-purpose function centre, along with a state-of-the-art training and recovery facility.
Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell said the land and funding will ensure the Bears can present their strategic plan to the NRL next month.
"I'm a Tigers fan, but I think the Central Coast deserves its own team," O'Farrell said.
"The fans on the Central Coast have shown they are desperate for their own team. We want to do all we can to help them realise that dream."
O'Farrell said the Bears would be subject to the same commercial lease conditions as others at the Mount Penang site, but the proposal gives them the security to go to the NRL with a plan in place.
The club is also ready to vote on accepting a $10 million private ownership arrangement with Mortgage House as the cornerstone of their submission for entry into the 2013 premiership.
"The bid will be ready by March 31," Fairleigh said.
"We are closing in on 6000 members and are averaging 119 new member signings per week. It's been a big job but, from the NRL's point of view, I think we are well advanced and well organised.
"We have engaged the community and I believe we will deliver a world-class franchise to the NRL."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/final-piece-of-puzzle-for-bears-bid/story-e6frfgbo-1226012525637" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
EXCLUSIVE by Barry Toohey and Barclay Crawford From: The Sunday Telegraph February 27, 2011 12:00AM
CENTRAL Coast Bears' coach-in-waiting Dave Fairleigh labelled it the last remaining "black hole" in the club's submission for a place in an expanded NRL.
Now, thanks to the NSW Coalition, that problem is about to be solved.
Provided they win next month's state election, the final piece in the puzzle has fallen into place for the Bears.
The NSW Opposition is set to announce tomorrow a $3.5 million funding boost to secure a training and administrative headquarters on government-owned land at Mount Penang on the Central Coast should they come into power.
"It's a massive boost for the club and our bid," Fairleigh said. "We have a stadium, great financial backing and the overwhelming support of the community - and now we are going to have somewhere we can base ourselves as well.
"It's fantastic news.
"It's the black hole in our bid that needed to be filled."
Fairleigh and Bears chief executive Greg Florimo have worked closely with Liberal MP for Terrigal Chris Hartcher to make the funding pledge a reality.
"It's a huge recruitment tool for us to be able to go out into the marketplace for players knowing we will have a world-class training facility to attract them," Fairleigh said.
"It also sends a good message to the NRL. Chris has been a huge supporter."
The $3.5 million will be used on stage one of the development, with the area eventually to be turned into a sporting precinct complete with a 50m outdoor pool, indoor pool and basketball centre. There will also be a multi-purpose function centre, along with a state-of-the-art training and recovery facility.
Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell said the land and funding will ensure the Bears can present their strategic plan to the NRL next month.
"I'm a Tigers fan, but I think the Central Coast deserves its own team," O'Farrell said.
"The fans on the Central Coast have shown they are desperate for their own team. We want to do all we can to help them realise that dream."
O'Farrell said the Bears would be subject to the same commercial lease conditions as others at the Mount Penang site, but the proposal gives them the security to go to the NRL with a plan in place.
The club is also ready to vote on accepting a $10 million private ownership arrangement with Mortgage House as the cornerstone of their submission for entry into the 2013 premiership.
"The bid will be ready by March 31," Fairleigh said.
"We are closing in on 6000 members and are averaging 119 new member signings per week. It's been a big job but, from the NRL's point of view, I think we are well advanced and well organised.
"We have engaged the community and I believe we will deliver a world-class franchise to the NRL."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/final-piece-of-puzzle-for-bears-bid/story-e6frfgbo-1226012525637" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
