Here is a joint media release from Northern Beaches Council and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

'Northern Beaches Council and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are both strongly committed to ongoing investment at Lottoland to deliver a quality venue well into the future as highlighted by the Council’s commitment to upgrade the surface and the Club’s recent announcement to construct its Centre Of Excellence at the venue.

The recent opportunity presented to NRL clubs to be able to host a finals match at their home ground, is a great opportunity for the Club and the northern beaches community should the Sea Eagles qualify to host a home game in week 1 of the finals.

Having now scoped the project for the proposed upgrade of the Lottoland playing surface, all stakeholders are of the view that it would be beneficial to delay the resurfacing project until the end of the 2020 NRL playing season.

This will allow sufficient time to consider other key factors such as optimal surface positioning and levels for the Centre of Excellence and home game scheduling towards the back end of the 2020 season and front end of the 2021 season (which will require coordination with the NRL).

The current playing surface has been independently assessed and meets required NRL standards and there is no immediate need for change, what all parties are committed to is delivering improvements that maximise outcomes and the financial investment.'