THE AFL will give Geelong Cats $4 million towards the fourth stage of the redevelopment of Simonds Stadium.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan the funding would match the Geelong Cats’ own commitment of $4 million on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
“Simonds Stadium is a key part of the AFL landscape that serves the people of Geelong and the wider Western Victorian country region with the ability to watch top-level AFL football,” Mr McLachlan said.
“The fourth stage of the redevelopment of the ground will strengthen the venue as an AFL location but will also provide Geelong with the ability to attract other key events such as Big Bash cricket, concerts and high-level matches in other sports.
“The Geelong council and the Geelong Cats have done a tremendous job over the last decade in the way they have transformed Simonds Stadium and the AFL Commission remains committed to providing funding support to those venues where we fixture AFL matches.”
The fourth stage of the work at Simonds Stadium will see the replacement of the Brownlow and Jennings stands, with a total cost of $90 million. Major funding support is already in place from the Victorian State government.
Geelong Cats’ Chief Executive Brian Cook welcomed the decision by the AFL Commission.
“The AFL has supported each of the redevelopments at Simonds Stadium, and we’re again pleased that the commission and executive of the AFL understand how important these facilities are for the club, the people of Geelong and the region,” Mr Cook said.
“Further upgrades will ensure that Simonds Stadium is the pre-eminent regional sporting stadium in Australia, and it also helps cement the club in Geelong for the long term.
“There will be a greater ability to attract additional events to the stadium and the region following these upgrades.
“Supporters of all sports that use the stadium will have access to world class facilities.”
