From the latest update from the District Club:
BROOKVALE OVAL
The recent media war of words between Warringah Council and Sea Eagles management regarding hiring fees for our home games at Brookvale Oval has been deeply concerning.
Some of our members have contacted us expressing anxiety as to what this may all mean for the long term future of our spiritual home, and at the rate at which the angry rhetoric has escalated through the media, there may be some justification for these fears.
In his letter to members on the Silvertails website and in other media, the Mayor of Warringah, Michael Regan, appears to be alluding to another agenda that would lead to the Sea Eagles leaving Brookvale Oval and permanently moving to an alternative ground such as Gosford. This suggestion has been denied by Sea Eagles CEO Joe Kelly.
The Football Club Board questions the capacity of the current media war to deliver a positive long term outcome for the Sea Eagles and Brookvale Oval. While we support the Fight for the Fortress campaign which involves Sea Eagles supporters making their voice heard to Warringah Council, we believe the only way to find a long term resolution to the conflict is to bring everyone with a stake in the issue back to the table.
It is regrettable that the Brookvale Oval Committee headed up by Kerry Sibraa over an 18-month period was made redundant after the ownership structure changed in October 2014. The Brookvale Oval Committee brought all the interested parties together, including the Football Club, Council, the NRL, the Hon Mike Baird and his office, the Hon Tony Abbott’s office, St Augustine’s College and, of course the Sea Eagles. It was making good progress on a range of fronts (including the State Trust), however when the ownership and management changed, new plans were released to the media involving a large scale private development that would also see Brookvale Oval transformed. Unfortunately, all that seems to have come to nothing.
The Football Club’s position on Brookvale Oval is clear. We hold the preference share regarding where the Sea Eagles play, and want all of our 12 home games played at Brookvale Oval.
It’s time for all parties, including our Premier, the Member for Manly, to get together in a room and work out a long term solution that will ensure the Sea Eagles stay at Brookvale Oval forever.
Otherwise the worst fears of our members may be realised.