Australian Football League side GWS Giants Chair Tony Shepherd said that a proposed A$800M ($568M) upgrade of the Manuka Oval precinct "will cement the AFL's relationship with Canberra, declaring his goal is to make sure the club is in the capital forever," according to Dutton & MacDonald of THE AGE. The Giants are "leading a private consortium for a redevelopment in Manuka, with the details of the unsolicited bid to be announced on Wednesday." It would involve a makeover for the stands, including 4,750 permanent seats to replace temporary seating and new roofing to cover 80% of capacity, "as well as improving corporate suites, media facilities and player change rooms." The deal would be subject to a formal approval process, but Shepherd "has no doubt it would lay the platform for sell-out crowds" for int'l cricket and AFL in Canberra. The Giants have a 10-year deal with the ACT government worth A$23M ($16.3M) to play three AFL premiership matches. Shepherd has forecast a long-term future in the capital and "hopes a Manuka Oval redevelopment would help boost crowds for all sports at the venue." He said, "We've been looking for an opportunity to cement our relationship with Canberra a lot more solidly, beyond the 10-year deal with the ACT government." The proposed development "would look to develop commercial and residential opportunities," including a new hotel, serviced apartments and 140,000 square meters of retail and office space. The government "still has plans to build a new rectangular stadium" with a roof in Civic to be the home of the ACT Brumbies, Canberra Raiders and a potential A-League team in the future (THE AGE, 2/16).