Skilled Stadium overhaul to proceed

Sun 10 April 2011

Geelong's Skilled Stadium will be transformed into a community facility as well as the Geelong Football Clubs base, with a funding commitment to redevelop the Doug Wade Stand.

The State Government has committed $25 million yesterday, with Premier Ted Baillieu announcing its commitment today to enable the Geelong Football Club to begin work on the new stand, which will increase the stadium’s capacity to 34,500 and bring better spectator amenities, improved facilities for local sporting clubs and a huge boost for community sport and recreation.

Under the plans, the ageing Doug Wade stand will be pulled down at the end of the AFL season, with a new stand - incorporating a new community wellness and education centre - expected to be completed before the start of the 2014 season. Early design work on the new stand is already underway and once finished it will increase the capacity of the stadium by more than 7000.

The community wellness and education centre will be used by the entire community, not just the Geelong Football Club. This will increase the capacity of the facility to hold more spectators and also look after the young up-and-coming sportspeople around the area.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said "one of the great features of the redevelopment will be its capacity to give back to the families and community who have helped make the Geelong Football Club what it is today."

The new Doug Wade stand will be supporter and community focused, with better spectator amenities, a dedicated members' lounge and no corporate boxes.