Wollongong City Council last night [Monday 3 February] voted in favour of a motion for the NSW Government to recognise the need for an immediate refurbishment with appropriate funding of the WIN Entertainment Centre to bring it up to contemporary standards as an entertainment, conference and sporting venue.
The vote followed Sunday night’s Illawarra Hawks game being called off as a result of a leaky roof.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said the WEC was “basic social infrastructure” that had been neglected by the NSW Government.
“If the same building was in Sydney it would be considered an international disgrace,” Cr Bradbery said. “The people of this city and this region deserve better.
“In addition to being important for the local economy, the stadium would be an important venue for the 2022 UCI Road World Cycling Championships in Wollongong and many other events.
“It is constantly being used for everything from the school spectacular to Illawarra Hawks games.
“Why should it be that the people of Wollongong should be any different or have any different expectations than the people of Sydney or Newcastle or Parramatta where there are venues of a high standard.”
General Manager Greg Doyle told Council he had been advised by the NSW Government there would be no funds available for a WEC upgrade “this financial year, next financial year or for the foreseeable future”.
Council supported an amendment by Deputy Lord Mayor Tania Brown calling on Acting NSW Minister for Sport Geoff Lee to release the masterplan prepared by Venues NSW, to give surety that the Government asset will be refurbished to align with community expectations.
Council supported a further amendment by Councillor John Dorahy to invite the Premier and the Acting Minister and the Venues NSW Board to visit Wollongong and the WEC and meet to discuss options for its future.
