Murray United and Albury Thunder both support the idea of a new rectangular stadium for the region.
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But their visions differ.
The possibility of the soccer and rugby league clubs sharing Greenfield Park was raised at this week’s Albury Council meeting – where the master-plan to upgrade the Thunder’s home venue to a 5000-capacity boutique stadium was ticked off.
However, it isn’t necessarily part of the long-term plans for either outfit.
Murray chairman Darren Yates said the club is keeping all options open, but would prefer to have its own facility at the proposed Baranduda Fields sporting precinct.
It currently shares La Trobe University’s fields with Wodonga Diamonds.
“Any developments on either side of the Border, in terms of rectangular stadiums, we’re all for,” Yates said,
“For us as a club, we see there’s two key priorities.
“The first one is the more broad rectangular stadium for the region, which we would get some real benefit from with our senior team.
“More specifically, the thing for us is our home.”
Yates ruled out the option of Greenfield Park becoming Murray’s home venue.
“I think any rectangular stadium in the region would be shared to maximise its utilisation, but what we more specifically need is training facility and a home,” he said.
“Three training pitches, a synthetic pitch, appropriate lighting and that could have the rectangular stadium as part of that, or it could be separate development.
“We’re currently limited with nights we can train, we have our seniors and juniors training at three different venues.”
Albury Thunder president Rick O’Connell confirmed the Group 9 outfit’s desire to remain at Greenfield Park into the future.
“We’ve been doing some work with council over a period of time to put some plans together to turn Greenfield Park into a boutique rectangular field, where a variety of sports can use it when big games come to town,” O’Connell said.
“It’s open to the general public to view and comment.
“Now the hard work really begins to secure funding and it gives everyone a goal so we can bring it up to an acceptable standard for elite level sport.”
Murray United has been in regular contact with Wodonga Council and is confident they’ll see a significant contribution for Baranduda Fields in the next budget.
“We’re more positive than ever with where Wodonga Council is at in terms of their commitment toward Baranduda Fields,” Yates added.
“Something that’s worth noting is Wodonga hasn’t received one dollar of federal funding in the last 12 years for sport and rec.
“We’re drawing a lot of attention to the Indi candidates about that as well because we’re behind all other regional areas.”
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