TAREE Leagues and Sports Club chairman Eddie Loftus will, as a matter of urgency, seek meetings with member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead and Taree City RLFC president Mal Dixon to clarify a number of concerns before a lease can be finalised for the Jack Neal Oval.
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The Bulls hope to lease the ground from the club. Taree had sought a 20 year lease with an option for 20 more, however, Mr Loftus said this may not be possible.
The club’s board met with solicitor James Paton this week to discuss the leasing arrangement.
“James told us that a 20 year lease is too long,’’ Mr Loftus said.
“Too much can change in that time. We also need to find out who will provide the on-going maintenance of the ground and surrounds and who pays the insurance along with the water, general rates, electricity and damage to the facility. We also want to know if the Bulls have a business plan in place. That’s what I need to discuss with Mal (Dixon).’’
He added the club is also concerned about what happens to the ground outside of the football season and whether it would be available for use by other groups. There are a number of other matters the board wants resolved.
Mr Loftus said the club needed to speak with Mr Bromhead to discuss the feasibility of the Bulls gaining a grant to improve facilities at the ground.
“We’re a licensed club so we’re not eligible for State government grants,’’ Mr Loftus acknowledged.
Mr Loftus pointed out that the Neal Oval was virtually bordered by three schools - Chatham High, Chatham Public and St Clare’s High School. His board also wants to know if there would be any interest from either the Catholic Education or NSW Department of Education to take over the ground.
The Bulls started negotiations with the club’s board in April regarding a leasing arrangement. Initially Mr Dixon hoped all be resolved by the end of August.
The Bulls are the major tenant at the ground however, Mr Dixon has said that if the club gained a lease and secured funding to carry out improvements, the facility would still be there for use by other sports and organisations, saying it would be an asset to the city. Mr Dixon has also said the club was happy to take over the care of ground. The playing surface at the Neal Oval is currently maintained by the Leagues club’s green keeping staff.
It is regarded as the best in Group Three, even if the facilities for players and spectators are among the worst.
Mr Loftus told the Times on Wednesday November 26 that he hoped the matter would be resolved by next April, the deadline for sporting clubs to apply for State government grants.
He admitted that the Neal Oval is finanically a ‘noose around the club’s neck,’ saying it costs $25,000 a year to maintain. The club gets little to no return from the ground.
Mr Loftus has since briefly spoken to both Mr Dixon and Mr Bromhead, with Mr Dixon advising the club would need a 20 year lease to qualify for the substantial funding needed to upgrade the Neal Oval.
“I’m positive about this, Steve Bromhead is positive and so is Mal Dixon,’’ Mr Loftus said, adding that he remains confident there would be a resolution before the April deadline.