Has Lathlain now become the Eagles home, for admin, training and shop?
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Has Lathlain now become the Eagles home, for admin, training and shop?
Yeah, I think that's what the plan is.
Colin can't see past his nose for anything!
The suggestion of an ongoing use was made by the WAFC, IIRC from what I heard on radio news today. Whoever it was rabbiting on added that they have an valid lease for a further 70-odd years blah- blah-blah. At a guess, they are possibly playing that card to try and squeeze some leverage over the new stadium arrangements.
Shasta, is that lease not a peppercorn arrangement of a minimal amount per anum ??
I'm not Shasta, but the answer to the above is YES!!
I fail to see how having that lease for 70 years will work out as some form of leverage. The WAFC will dig it's heel in and play WAFL games at Subi in front of no one? Good luck with that. The maintenance costs would outweigh the benefits of playing the games at Subiaco and the State Government won't help them out with it given they're building a new stadium.
I would imagine their is a termination clause in the contract between the WAFC and State Government.
The AFL will simply start fixturing games at the new stadium with or without the support of the WAFC. If the WAFC end up running the new groud that decision has already probably been made via a back room deal.
Fairly sure the WAFC leases the ground from the State Government for $1 a year
I would imagine it depends on the terms of the lease. If way back in the day it included the clause that it was solely for playing games and was void if they played elsewhere, then they'll have no leverage. But as we saw from the WACA, it wasn't lease issues that would have prevented them from doing what they liked including creating a whole apartment development. If the WAFC lease is similarly non-specific, they could perhaps play at the new ground and retain ownership of Subi and whatever development occurs there. That would definitely be leverage, as I think the reason it has been raised by Barnett now is they want it deeded back so the gov't can get the benefit of the development to offset the cost of the new stadium. And you need to remember that the WAFC is the AFL in WA, as they own both franchises. The AFL keeps pressuring them to hand them back, but they (wisely) keep resisting. The moment they hand them over, football in WA will be broke and broken.
Found this via a quick google search:
http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parl...8?OpenDocumentQuote:
Question On Notice No. 8437 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 7 August 2012 by Mr M. Mcgowan
Minister responding: Hon T.K. Waldron
Parliament: 38 Session: 1
Question
In relation to the lease arrangements that the State Government has with the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) on Subiaco Oval: (a) will the Government allow the WAFC to continue its lease at Subiaco Oval and its precinct, following the commissioning of the new Burswood Stadium; and
(b) if yes to (a), is the Government considering altering the current tenure arrangement to allow the WAFC to develop the precinct around the Subiaco Oval?
Answered on 11 September 2012
(a) The State Government is not a party to the Subiaco Oval / Kitchener Park lease which is between the City of Subiaco and the WA Football Commission. State approval is not required for this to be allowed to continue.
(b) If a proposal is put forward by the City of Subiaco and WA Football Commission to make changes to the tenure and zoning arrangement the State Government will consider it at that time.
Lease is apparently between City of Subiaco and the WAFC (I'm certain the cost to the WAFC is bugger all though).
I don't see how this will affect the new stadium in that instance given the State Government doesn't have to negotiate with the WAFC. The WAFC may own the licence but the AFL will fixture West Coast and Fremantle where they want. I have a feeling the State Government wouldn't commit to building a new stadium without some form of sign off from the AFL that games will be scheduled there.
West Coast and Fremantle certainly won't stay at Subiaco when they can make more money at the new site via more bums on seats.
I guess the sticking point regarding the lease of Subiaco Oval will come when the City of Subiaco wants to turn the Oval into apartments or townhouses.
I wouldn't be so sure. A few months ago I read an article saying that the AFL was pulling funding for country footy in WA as a part of the AFL's attempts to pressure the WAFC into giving up the licences for the Eagles and Dockers.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...wa-grassroots/
Given the gold mine that both those two teams are for the WAFC it's probably still cheaper for them to fund it themselves. I do agree with your last point, if the WAFC hands over the licences they will become reliant on AFL handouts to survive because the 12 people and 2 dogs that show up for WAFL games aren't going to keep them afloat!