THE most pristine ground in the game, Kogarah Jubilee Oval, gets a long-awaited airing in the televised Dragons-Eels blockbuster tomorrow night. Co-incidentally, it will be the first game played on the ground - the only NRL venue with National Trust listing - since the same teams met in their September 13 NRL qualifying final.
The Eels won 25-12 and the next week the Dragons were eliminated by the Broncos, 24-10, in Brisbane. Jubilee Oval has remained virtually untouched in the 8 months since.
This year the Dragons played their first six home games at WIN Stadium, Wollongong, before their new western stand is built. And with the Dragons also training in the 'Gong, Kogarah's lush green surface has suffered no wear and tear.
Kogarah Council, which continues to lease the oval to the Dragons, believes more work could go ahead on the 20,500 capacity ground, whose redevelopment over a number of decades includes the multi-tiered grandstand and terracing completed at the start of last season,
mostly because of government funding.
The council also approved another extension to the grandstand (towards English Street and the war memorial) three years ago. A spokesman said the Dragons were seeking about $7 million in funding.
Kogarah identity and councillor Lachlan McLean, who is on the committee working on a Jubilee Oval lease renewal, said further construction would "likely go ahead'' if the state or federal governments gave funding approval.
"It is exciting to have St George back at the Dragons' real home ground after another long time away,'' said Cr Mclean of a night which will feature a half-time clash between junior clubs Renown United and Corrimal Cougars (Wollongong). "The community is looking forward to attending six Jubilee matches [up to] September and the council's approval of a community centre inside the grandstand is another bonus. Groups always need places to meet and there is none better than Jubilee Oval.''
* Kogarah Park was named in 1896 when acquired by the Department of Lands and dedicated as the first public park in Kogarah. Control passed to Kogarah Council on August 29, 1906. Kogarah Park, including Jubilee Oval, contains important historical vegetation, including remnant Monterey and hoop pines, Canary Island date palms and brush box. St George moved from Hurstville Oval to Jubilee Oval in 1950, six years before the start of their record 11 straight premierships. Kogarah Park won National Trust Heritage listing in 2008.
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