A-League side Sydney FC's plan to build a "Centre of Excellence at Tempe has been
scrapped with the club withdrawing its tender for a site there in favour
of upgrades to its present training base in North Ryde and the Moore
Park precinct," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Macquarie University is set to become the site of
Sydney's youth academy and training base with the club "deep in
negotiations with the ground's owners over a large-scale redevelopment
of the sporting complex that will tie the club to the venue for the near
future." The proposed upgrade will include "three full-size and high-quality
playing fields, upgrades to the existing club house facilities,
construction of medical rooms, improved physio rooms, gym and player
lounges." The university will fund the project but the "full extent is yet
to be confirmed." The developments occur as the club "withdrew its tender
application for Tempe Reserve and pulled out of establishing a permanent
base in the inner west of the city." The site, just north of Sydney
Airport, was "initially the preferred location for the largest off-field
investment in Sydney FC's history but the club since decided against
pursuing the tender because of the associated costs and logistical
issues" (SMH, 10/16).
