Sydney's event venue snubbed

The major event for Sydney next year will be World Youth Day featuring the Pope.
And a major spat has erupted over the choice of venue. Randwick Racecourse has been the traditional venue for Papal visits in the past but with what is involved these days in presentation, staging and security organisers need control of the venue for a much longer period.

When Sydney Olympic Park was proposed it was promoted as the great venue that was going to solve all issues involving big events in Sydney - plenty of space, fantastic public transport access and close to the demographic heart of the greater Sydney area.

So where did it all go wrong?

In a very ironic twist the SCVB held a members information session about the papal visit at the SMC - that's the Sydney Masonic Centre. In years gone by the Tykes would have been much more comfortable with the gee gees.

And one has to wonder how much angst our pollies will suffer as they endeavour to find time in their diary to meet another religious leader.