A new Canberra stadium could "underpin the life" of the city as ACT senator Zed Seselja joins calls for federal government support to breathe life into the project.
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The ACT government is exploring options to build a new venue in either Civic or Exhibition Park as questions hover over the future of Canberra Stadium in Bruce.
The territory government leases Canberra Stadium from the federal government and officials are considering redevelopment opportunities for the site once the contract expires in 2024.
A government-commissioned study provided to The Canberra Times detailed the territory government's preferred option for an "infinity bowl" design in Civic, with ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry calling for federal government investment.
Seselja says a new stadium in the heart of the city, which would be home to the NRL's Canberra Raiders and Super Rugby's ACT Brumbies, is worth pursuing "if there's serious proposals coming forward from the ACT government".
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"I'm certainly a big advocate of a stadium and I think it would need of course, to be driven by the ACT government," Seselja said on 2CC Radio's Stephen Cenatiempo Breakfast Show.
"I'm always open to supporting valid infrastructure projects in Canberra, where we've announced investments of around $1.4 billion in Canberra just in the last two or so years.
"But when it comes to the stadium itself, I actually think it is worth pursuing.
"For a number of reasons, I mean, Canberra Stadium is going to reach the end of its useful life. I don't think it's ever been a great spot for a stadium and if you look at modern stadiums, the way that they can underpin the life of a city when they're in town.
"You go and you see it in places like Melbourne, you see it overseas in many places, you see it in Brisbane, with Lang Park, so it is worth pursuing. I think it'd be a fantastic thing for Canberra.
"You know, in the end, if it's not going to be a high priority for the ACT government, it will be much harder to deliver Commonwealth support, but I'm always pushing for Commonwealth investment in Canberra. We're doing a record amount now. And I'm a big fan of the stadium.
"So if there's serious proposals coming forward from the ACT government, not the sort of comments we had from Andrew Barr a little while ago, which he knew were just going to be poking the Commonwealth Government the eye.
"If it's genuine, then over over a period of time, then I'd love to see it delivered."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
