NO.097

Geelong Scores a Win with Funding for Skilled Stadium

The $25 million upgrade of Skilled Stadium at Kardinia Park – the home of the Geelong Football Club – will go ahead with $14 million of Australian Government funding, the Treasurer announced today.

The project, which will also comprise funding from the Geelong Football Club, the AFL, and the Victorian and local government, will include:

• The development of the new Ross Drew Stand, which will increase ground capacity by around 3500 spectators, with almost 3000 of these seats being undercover and available to the public;
• Additional seating for spectators with a disability and new and expanded corporate entertainment facilities and administration facilities for the Geelong Football Club;
• Increasing the capacity of the high-performance gymnasium by 50% to allow for increased use by local elite athletes as part of the community access model; and
• The introduction of water management and recycling technology aimed at using rain and grey water captured within the Stadium to irrigate the community playing fields within Kardinia Park. It is envisaged that this self sustainability approach will be viewed as a ‘best practice’ model for other regional and major sports facilities.

“Skilled Stadium serves the greater Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula communities and has a history of more than 65 years as the home of the Geelong Football Club,” the Treasurer said.

“Kardinia Park is very special to the people of Geelong and the western region of Victoria.

“I congratulate Stewart McArthur, the local Federal MP for Corangamite, for his successful advocacy of this project.

“The upgrade of Skilled Stadium will help ensure the Cats continue to play their home games at Kardinia Park.”

MELBOURNE

21 September 2007

Renae Stoikos

03 9650 0244