Dragons training field stays locked despite public land investment
Venues NSW has permanently closed a public field next to WIN Stadium to reserve it for Dragons training, frustrating a local councillor.
A green space beside WIN Stadium in Wollongong has sat mostly unused since the Dragons moved to the new Bruce Gorden Centre in mid-2026. Venues NSW, which manages the facility, confirmed it will remain permanently closed to the community and local sporting clubs.
The reason: the Dragons still want it for training. The Dragons also occasionally use it for event prep.
Councillor Kit Docker says the decision wastes public money spent on a state-of-the-art facility just kilometres away. He wants Venues NSW to review the lease terms.
The main stadium itself has become expensive. The Wollongong Wolves were quoted $40,000 to host an Australian Championship match.
That is 400 per cent more than the 2024 rate. Some clubs are forced to move grand finals to grounds with poor parking and seating.
- mid-2026
- Relocation date
- $40,000
- Quote for championship match
- 400%
- Price increase
- Spartan Australia, October 10
- Last community event
Why it mattersGrassroots clubs lose a training and event space, and stadium fees are pricing local teams out of their own venue.
AustraliaWollongong sport faces barriers to accessing public facilities built with government investment, threatening the ability of local clubs to play and train.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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