Storm committed to new stadium

Correspondent

Premier Steve Bracks today reiterated what all Melbourne Storm supporters have expected, his commitment to building a purpose built, rectangular stadium at the Olympic Park precinct to be the new home of rugby league in Victoria.

Despite a drawn out process in the commencement of the stadium, Bracks made it clear that the Melbourne Storm would indeed have a new rectangular stadium to call home in the near future.

The building of the stadium has been delayed due to lengthy discussions regarding the stadiums capacity. It was originally planned to have an initial capacity of 20,000, increasing to 25,000 over time.

“We want to make sure that the stadium goes ahead, and whatever I can say, the stadium will go ahead,'' Mr Bracks said.

Melbourne Storm CEO Brian Waldron was delighted to hear Premier Bracks' commitment to the stadium, particular given the strides rugby league had made in Victoria over the past 12 months.

"When the government made the announcement in 2005 that this stadium was going ahead, the game of rugby league made a huge investment in the Melbourne market," said Waldron.

"A multi-million dollar increase in game development expenditure, complimented by a State-of-Origin game which contributed in excess of $70 million to the Victorian economy, has supported an outstanding season by the Melbourne Storm in 2006.

"We are pleased Premier Bracks went out of his way to reiterate his support for the stadium and we look forward to building commencing in the not-too-distant future."