A Warringah council official said that local government "can no longer afford to maintain Brookvale Oval properly" and only the state government can ensure National Rugby League side Manly Sea Eagles "continue to play there," according to Steven Deare of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Deputy Mayor Jose Menano-Pires "spoke after the club said it was withholding payments to the council for venue hire." The Sea Eagles said that management was "trying to resolve matters, including the inaccessibility of the ground for almost two months and contractual terms at a market rate." Menano-Pires said that the maintenance had "moved beyond the council's capacity." Menano-Pires: "It's extremely expensive for us to maintain. We are actually subsidising a private enterprise." The venue costs about A$600,000 ($490,000) to maintain each year. The council, using ratepayer funds, pays A$200,000 ($162,000). It is understood the Sea Eagles' lease is about A$400,000 ($324,000). A spokesperson for NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres said that the government's stadiums strategy "suggested Tier 2 facilities, such as Brookvale Oval, could be considered for centre of excellence style upgrades" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 5/14).