LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Raiders CEO Don Furner has dropped a bombshell by announcing that the NRL club will need to take their home games on the road, heading to New Zealand and Queensland due to the woeful state of GIO Stadium.
The lack of funding for a rebuild has left the Raiders in a tough spot, with plans for a shiny new venue in Canberra being tossed aside back in 2023.
With no clear solution in sight, Furner bemoaned the state of affairs on SEN radio, likening GIO Stadium to a rusty old jalopy compared to the slick, modern arenas popping up in Sydney like CommBank Stadium and Allianz Stadium.
"GIO Stadium is a relic at almost 50 years old," Furner lamented.
"It's about as useful as a busted footy boot, and it's a real shame for the nation's capital to be stuck with such a dud venue."
Drawing inspiration from across the ditch, Furner pointed to Christchurch's revitalization with the new One NZ Stadium as a shining example of what a state-of-the-art facility can do for a city and its economy.
Despite facing similar challenges, Christchurch managed to pull off a stunning rebuild that now attracts top-notch events and teams like the All Blacks.
"We told the government, look at Christchurch - a city in shambles that managed to rise from the ashes with a top-notch stadium," Furner explained.
"They've got the All Blacks, concerts, you name it.
If they can pull it off, why can't we? It's time for the federal and ACT governments to step up and deliver for Canberra, but unfortunately, it's all up in the air at the moment."