IT'S fallen on hard times, but Queanbeyan's historic Seiffert Oval will soon be restored to its former glory with a $1.1 million upgrade ahead of an NRL trial match next February.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
All three levels of government are working together to restore the Raiders' spiritual home ground and get it back into first grade football shape.
John Barilaro and NSW deputy premier Troy Grant visited the ground this week to announce the State Government will extend Queanbeyan Council a $500,000 low interest loan to upgrade the playing surface, irrigation, grandstands and scoreboard.
It follows another $500,000 grant from the Federal Government to upgrade the oval, and a further $100,000 budget allocation from Queanbeyan Council.
Mr Barilaro said he was looking forward to seeing Queanbeyan's proud Raiders' heritage restored.
"Seiffert Oval is the place where the legend of the mighty Canberra Raiders was born; it was their original home ground when they entered the then NSW Rugby League Premiership 32 years ago.
"Naturally enough Raiders supporters have a strong historical attachment to Seiffert Oval and for many in the Queanbeyan community it is considered to be a special place," he said.
Contractors are already hard at work restoring the irrigation and playing surface ahead of an NRL trial match between the Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights, to be held on February 21.
Council's parks manager Tim Geyer said the ground was now getting its first major renovation in over 20 years, with further infrastructure upgrades to follow beyond next February's trial match.
"You won't recognise it in February," he said.
"Council's had it now for four or five years now, and this is the first chance we've had to invest in it. Prior to that, I don't think it's had anything for probably 20 years, since the Raiders left."
Local league club The Queanbeyan Blues are also looking forward to the upgrade, with Council and the Blues entering an in-principle agreement to extend the Leagues club's tenancy at the ground.
Council, as trustees for the facility, have offered the Leagues Club a long term agreement which will see the ground remain the principle home ground of the Queanbeyan Blues, and local rugby league, for the next decade. Cr Kenrick Winchester helped negotiate the deal, which will see the Leagues Club contribute over $100,000 to assist with the replacement of all of the grandstand seating.
"This agreement is great news for the community," Cr Winchester said.
"Seiffert Oval is the only facility in town able to host large scale sporting events, and while there is still a mountain of improvements to be done at the ground, things are finally moving in the right direction."
"The Leagues Club are a key stakeholder in the facility, and this much needed funding will be put to good use," he said.