CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Raiders players pose for a photograph following the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Canberra Raiders and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium on September 27, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
The Canberra Raiders’ new chairman, Dennis Richardson has started his tenure in the capital with a bid to the ACT government for a new stadium.
Richardson was appointed to the role this week as the successor to Dr Allen Hawke, who passed away in September.
The new head of the Green Machine hit the ground running in the role telling AAP that the Raiders’ current home ground, GIO Stadium, has “reached its use-by date.”
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Raiders players pose for a photograph following the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Canberra Raiders and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium on September 27, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
“Quite clearly, as the national capital, having a new stadium is an important priority,” Richardson said.
“Most state governments around the country have, in recent years, built new stadiums.”
“Optus Stadium (Perth), Adelaide Oval, the Tasmanian government are speaking about constructing a stadium in Launceston or Hobart.
“(The ACT) are a little behind on that front.
“But we do need to understand the ACT Government have a lot of competing priorities and we need to work with them, not against them.”
Richardson is looking to work with both the state government and Super Rugby club the Brumbies, who also play home games at the venue, to ensure the stadium is constructed.
Richardson also indicated he had no qualms about the location of the ground.
GIO Stadium in Bruce has been the Raiders’ home turf since 1990 and holds a capacity in excess of 25,000 spectators.
Source:: ZeroTackle
