IT’S understood Mildura Council is keen to see its new $45 million baby host this year’s Sunraysia Football Netball League grand finals.
The new sporting precinct is still unfinished, with stage two works only just under way, but talks are going on behind closed doors about turning the idea into reality.
Personally, I hope they can make it happen. And good on all parties for being open to the ambitious plan.
As it stands, the alternative for the grand finals remains the tired City Oval precinct, which offers enough space, an old grandstand, but little else in terms of ambience.
I’m 188cm tall but still struggle to find a spot to view the game at ground level. The netball courts are also a tight squeeze for fans.
So, if you are comparing the unfinished $45 million precinct in Mildura South with the ovals in the city, then I still believe the new precinct comes out on top.
The new sporting precinct also has one other major advantage — lighting — which opens up another major possibility for the SFNL.
After two lost grand finals due to COVID, does the SFNL create some history and stage a senior twilight grand final this year?
I mean, why not?
Let’s look at it with the glass half-full, which is the way more of us should approach life, particularly post-COVID lockdowns.
At the very least, a twilight grand final will generate discussion and an extra layer of excitement in the lead-up.
It will also be a spectacle for country footy fans and players that hasn’t been seen before. Sunraysia could be the pioneers that other leagues will look towards.
And in mid-September, when the spring winds are traditionally high during the day and drop away at night, that could also work to the league’s advantage.
The netball will need to be played indoors at the new precinct, given the outdoor courts are still under construction, but that can also be viewed as a positive.
With a roll out grandstand set up on the showcourt, the atmosphere inside will be amazing.
There will, of course, be significant issues to be worked around.
The major ones will be around spectator amenities at the new precinct, from extra toilets and seating, to car parking.
Again, all parties need to be open to ideas on how it can all work. And who funds what?
For instance, could Deakin Avenue be closed between 16th and 17th streets for everything but football and netball traffic that day, sending trucks on a detour around the city and to Benetook Avenue (there’s a novel concept!).
What other parts of the precinct could be utilised for temporary parking? Or could there be a shuttle bus service?
The league and council have time. Why not explore all options?
The vision to build the new precinct was bold, but we need to be bold in our thinking as a community with how to best get bang for its buck.
Later this year, superstar band Kings of Leon are playing at the venue, and we want to attract international or national standard sport here, such as AFL or AFLW games, or Big Bash cricket.
We need to showcase ourselves to be a “can do” community. And the SFNL grand final feels like a great way to start.
Again, why not?
Turn up the lights to their maximum, pack the outer at our shiny new multi-million venue, and celebrate the return of local footy and netball finals in style. The venue is not yet perfect, but it’s ours.
Forget about the naysayers and stop always envying Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and every other regional centre. Do something different and let them envy us.
