ONE of the biggest days on the Ballarat sporting calendar won’t be at its regular home in 2016.
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The Central Highlands Football League board is currently working through alternative venues for the grand final, which has been forced away from Eureka Stadium because of planned grandstand construction works later in the year.
Comelli said City Oval was among the leading contenders to host the league’s football and netball deciders.
“We would like to try and keep it in Ballarat if we could and failing that, we may have to go back to one our own grounds for a year until Eureka Stadium is available, which it hopefully will be the following year,” Comelli said.
This year will be the first time the grand final has not been at Eureka Stadium since it was held at Learmonth in 1999.
Comelli mentioned Learmonth as another of the venues being considered to host this season’s grand finals, which will be on Saturday, September 10.
Meanwhile, the launch of the new Eureka Stadium facility has opened up the idea of a Central Highlands football grand final being played at night.
North Ballarat Roosters took on Geelong under lights on Friday night, with a strong crowd on hand to watch the Victorian Football League round three encounter.
New lighting was part of a multi-million dollar redevelopment, which will see the Western Bulldogs play AFL fixtures at the ground from 2017.
Comelli said he believed the move to a night event would be a drawcard for the Central Highlands competition.
“Obviously, with a facility like Eureka Stadium you’d have to consider it,” Comelli told The Courier.
The night grand final concept has got support from Springbank joint-coach Michael Searl, who believes a change could bring more people to the game.
Searl, who played in successful night VFL grand finals at Etihad Stadium in 2008 and 2009, was at the Roosters’ match on Friday night.
“I think you do get a better crowd on a night game,” Searl said.
“In terms of trying to attract more people and get more attendance to the games, then go for the night games.”
Night netball grand finals are also a possibility, with the court at Eureka Stadium surrounded by light towers.
