‘More than a sports stadium’
Kardinia Park Trust CEO Michael Brown reveals redevelopment plans
A NEW open forecourt entrance to Kardinia Park will be created as part of the suite of works in the final stage of the complex’s 20-year rebuild.
The forecourt will create a main entry into Geelong’s premier stadium, which is now split between three distinct access points.
It will be adjacent to a major new cricket hub, with the two new additions a key part of the external transformation of the northern end of the stadium.
Labor’s election victory has guaranteed the stage five redevelopment will go ahead, after it committed $102 million to the project during the election campaign. However, international cricket scheduling means the works won’t start for another two years.
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Michael Brown said the plaza would add “a new dimension” to the area.
“We revitalise that into an activity precinct, it becomes a place for Sunday markets, it becomes a place for meeting, light shows and stalls,” Mr Brown said.
There is also excitement about the potential to host more high-class entertainment on the ground, via a less publicly visible component of the project. The layout of the stadium now restricts semi-trailers from being able to turn around in the carpark.
But in the forthcoming redevelopment, a proper loading dock with underground space to park six semi-trailers will be created off Lonsdale St, in the park’s northeast.
This addition would enable the stadium to finally compete for the larger touring acts, such as Robbie Williams, who have visited Geelong for A Day on The Green, Mr Brown said.
On the sporting side, cricket stands to be the big winner of the $100-million plus upgrade. A key feature will be the regional cricket hub with indoor/ outdoor training facility.
“It will be an upgrade of the Geelong Cricket Club nets and an indoor training centre, which is available for community use … and local clubs to be involved in,” Mr Brown said.
The stage five works will also include a Sports Discovery Centre, which will feature the unrivalled Geelong Cats memorabilia of club vice-president Bob Gartland. He will loan the museum his personal collec- tion, containing tens of thousands of historic items, dating back more than 150 years.
Mr Brown said other sporting pursuits of the Geelong region would also be showcased in the centre.
The works will begin after the T20 World Cup, which will finish in November 2020.
Mr Brown said the works would take 18 months to two years to complete.
“Stage five brings the practicality and the flexibility to make it more than just a sporting stadium,” Mr Brown said.
“It finishes the venue.”
The stadium is building serious momentum ahead of the fifth and final stage works.
It is set to welcome two expansion clubs over the next two summers.
Geelong’s AFL women’s team will host three matches, while Kardinia Park is also a major beneficiary of the ALeague’s growth.
Western Melbourne Group, this week revealed as the next club to join the A-League in the 2019-20 season, will make Geelong its temporary base by playing home games at Kardinia Park over its first two seasons while its purpose-built stadium in Tarneit is built.
February’s calendar will also include an open-air family movie night and a rugby league match between Melbourne Storm and New Zealand.
Mr Brown, who announced his resignation this week, is expecting to hand over the reins during this period.
“I genuinely think there’s exciting times ahead,” Mr Brown said. “It’s been amazing. I feel like I know more about Geelong than any other city I’ve worked in or been in.”