Mid North Be Active field officer for the Port Pirie Regional Council and stadium committee supporter Brad Breeding said that a feasibility study had been approved and expressions of interest for this had closed two weeks ago.

The basketball grand finals on Saturday again highlighted the “obvious” need for improved crowd amenities in such a stadium.

Recommendations relating to the feasibility study will be put forward to the ommittee and council at a meeting on Wednesday night.

Once the selection is completed the consultancy group will be

notified.

“We hope the study will be on the way by the end of April,” Mr Breeding said.

The consultancy group is expected to take up to five months to complete the study.

Key groups will be approached, ensuring all of the relevant information is gathered.

Once this information is reported on, the steering group will be able to further consider what is feasible and what costs are expected.

“From here we will be able to make an assessment on the project and plan our next step.” Meanwhile, the group has unfortunately missed out on the latest round of funding from the Federal Government.

“The project was not in a position for us to apply for this funding. We hope to be in a more prepared position and ready if another roll-out of funding is provided,” he said.

The climate is still good for the committee to be seeking federal funds.

It is also possible there could be some State Government backing in the lead-up to the 2010 election.

Basketball fans were left in no doubt on Saturday night that a replacement or expansion is needed for the Donaldson Stadium.

Many of the crowd were standing and others were sitting on the floor at one end of the court as grand finals were being played.