Just a week after winning their first premiership since becoming a joint venture, the club announced it would extend the multi-level grandstand in time for the start of the 2011 NRL season.

With WIN Stadium at Wollongong likely to be out of action until the middle of next year, the state government has approved a new $13 million grant for the council-leased ground.

Jubilee Oval has received almost $38 million in funding since 2003, with $25.8 million coming from the state government and $10.2 million from the federal government.

At yesterday’s media call at Kogarah Oval, Premier Kristina Keneally also announced funding of $2.5 million for an upgrade of Canterbury Bulldogs’ Belmore Sports Ground.

The Jubilee Oval announcement was welcomed by NSW Sports Minister Kevin Greene, also the MP for Oatley, and Kogarah MP Cherie Burton.

Kogarah’s ground capacity will swell to about 22,000 with the final part of the three-stage development and may go some way towards silencing critics when the club decides whether to play more big matches at home, rather than the larger Sydney Football Stadium and ANZ Stadium.

“This investment has been a huge boost to our passionate Dragons-loving local community and continues to build on the investment by the NSW government over the last few years,” Ms Burton said.

Dragons CEO Peter Doust said the grandstand extension (towards Park Street and the war memorial side of Kogarah Park) would provide 1600 more undercover seats, new corporate area and boxes, new player change rooms, a club museum, merchandise outlet and new amenities. Some uncovered seats will be moved to the Jubilee Avenue end of the stadium to make way for the extension.

‘‘We have loyal supporters in the minister Kevin Greene and the member for Kogarah, Cherie [Burton] to thank and we thank you Premier for your government’s support,’’ said Mr Doust, who gave Dragons star Jamie Soward a signed football to present to Ms Keneally.

Kogarah’s extentions will need to be ready by next April, when the Dragons play their first home game.

WHERE THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT

The $13 million from the state government will go towards:

- A new northern grandstand with 1372 undercover seats;

- New toilet and concession facilities;

- New change rooms for first grade and under 20s players;

- New corporate area and boxes;

- A new museum and merchandise outlet.

What do you think about the funding and/or the expansion of Jubilee? Click on the comment link below to have your say.