Bets off, but we’re safe: club

By Bridget Cook
THE Casey Scorpions Football Club has quashed rumours it’s in a bad financial state, but admitted plans for a big revenue raiser had been postponed.
Casey Scorpions general manager Brian Woodman said the club had been unable to secure the $5 million needed to finance the planned sports club and gaming venue at its home ground, Casey Fields.
The club has a 50-year lease from the City of Casey for land at Casey Fields to build the sports club, which would include a bistro, sports bar and gaming machine venue.
The social club obtained a planning permit in October 2005 and Victorian Gaming Commission approval in February 2007.
Mr Woodman said the facility, which was meant to be a sufficient source of income for the club, would be put off – for now.
“Due to the global financial crisis, we have struggled to get finance to do it,” he said.
“It will be another two or three years until it will eventuate.
“This is just something longer term, for the club to have a sports club facility.
“We still have the necessary license and permits through the council and continue to look towards the long-term goal of getting the venue up and running.”
Mr Woodman said rumours the club was in a bad financial state were untrue.
He said while the club would ideally like the sports club venue for more income, it would not make or break the club.
“It’s (the facility) not absolutely necessary, but it will provide an added level of security to the longer term survival of the club,” he said.
The Casey council would have benefited from the development of the venue, with the Casey Scorpions agreeing to reimburse the council for part of the $3 million invested by the council to develop the VFL standard facility at Casey Fields.
City of Casey director planning and development Peter Fitchett said the Casey Scorpions manage the VFL complex and occupy it under an entitlement to lease the facility from the council.
“If a social club with gaming facilities is established at Casey Fields, part of the net profits will be used to reimburse council for part of the costs of establishing the VFL standard facility at Casey Fields,” he said.