Newcastle Stadium to be completed by 2011

The NSW Government has committed to completing the redevelopment of Newcastle's EnergyAustralia Stadium by February 2011.
NSW Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay and Sport and Recreation Minister Kevin Greene attended a media call at the stadium last week to mark the halfway point of work in the $66 million project, committing to the 2011 completion.
The date was welcomed by Newcastle Knights Chairman Rob Tew who stated "I'm delighted that the Government is saying that the stadium is going to be finished according to the original specifications and I am delighted that the work will be done by February, 2011.
"This gives us certainty to plan our season-ticket selling for 2011."
Relations between the State-owned Hunter Sports Venue Authority, which manages the stadium, and the Newcastle Knights have been strained for the past year, with the Knights wanting $1 million in compensation for alleged lost earnings and the authority seeking about $1.5 million in unpaid rent.
There had also been fears surrounding a cost increase on the western grandstand, with Hunter Venues confirming it might have to trim the design to meet the budget.
Neither minister would talk about the dispute or the detail of the grandstand contract but both said the Government was "absolutely committed" to the stadium.