The Canberra Vikings Group will turn its back on poker machines if it can secure government and community support for an ambitious development project in Canberra's south.
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With profits falling dramatically and poker machines destined for Canberra casino, the group have proposed the demolition of their Erindale base to build a mixed-use precinct worth up to $350 million.
Vikings Rugby Club president John McGrath said the development would cater for over-55s living, and include medical facilities, townhouses, restaurants and even a cinema. A smaller version of the club would remain on site.
The group have also approached the ACT government for three parcels of land in Greenway to replace the Erindale oval, promising a further $18 million investment to build a 2000-seat stadium.
"This is an idea we have floated with the government and they are somewhat supportive, but that support is predicated on community support," Mr McGrath said.
The development proposal is also based on commercial realities rather than any anti-gambling agenda.
Earlier this month the ACT government announced support for up to 200 poker machines at the casino, breaking the stranglehold of Canberra clubs on machines.
Canberra poker machine numbers are capped at 4994. The biggest four owners are the Vikings (715 machines), the Southern Cross Club (620), the Raiders (528), and the Labor Clubs (503).
Since 2006, The Viking groups' profits have been cut by half with the trend likely to continue once poker machines go to the casino.
"We are completely opposed to poker machines at Canberra casino, but we need to look at contingencies," Mr McGrath said
"We are not driven by the conscience of getting out of gaming but like most of the industry, we are concerned about any harm that is done."
Vikings Group chief executive Anthony Hill said the development was still at an "embryo stage" and the group had not spoken with any developers.
"This has been borne out of an acknowledgement clubs need to change and we need to do this sooner rather than later," he said.
"We looked at our property around Canberra to see if we were using it in the best way possible, and we weren't."
Mr Hill said the group would endeavour to be as transparent as possible. Sydney-based consultancy The Hornery Institute has been hired to guide community consultations.
"This is a completely different proposal to the Manuka Stadium bid," he said.
"We are a club and not developers. We will always be a club and our members own us. We are not here to build our developments to a point where they become high density then we leave town."
