Premier Turns First Sod On Saints New Belvedere Park Home
St Kilda Football Club's new state-of-the-art training facility at
Belvedere Park is a step closer with Premier John Brumby turning the first
sod on the $10 million Belvedere Park project today.
Joining Sports Minister James Merlino, State Member for Cranbourne
District, Jude Perera MP and, Frankston City Mayor Colin Hampton and
Saints players to mark the start of construction of the new facility, Mr
Brumby said the project would provide a major boost to sport and community
facilities throughout the Frankston region.
"The Victorian Government is taking action to ensure our Victorian AFL
clubs have the training facilities they need to compete at the elite level
and, in turn, provide local people with joint access to a range of
amenities in their own communities," Mr Brumby said.
"Together we're taking the first step towards transforming this oval into
a state-of-the-art facility for the Saints and the Frankston City
community and this will be a great new sports and hub for elite athletes,
this development will feature an indoor hall for a range of local sports.
Mr Brumby said the Saints elite training and administration base would
provide the Frankston City community with access to a new indoor sports
hall, lecture theatre and rehabilitation pool.
The project has been jointly funded with $3.45 million from the Brumby
Labor Government, Frankston City Council ($3 million), AFL ($2.5 million)
and St Kilda Football Club ($1.43 million).
Mr Merlino said the project was a highlight of the $55 million Victorian
AFL Club Facilities Funding Program and construction coincided with the
Government's Community Cabinet.
"Working together we can ensure AFL teams and their grounds can continue
to be a focal point not just for the development of elite athletes but
also for grassroots sports, as well as provide opportunities for the whole
community," Mr Merlino said.
Frankston City Mayor Colin Hampton said the facility was a great outcome
for the community.
"Council is working closely with St Kilda to achieve mutual community
benefits from their relocation to Frankston, including local football
development, community and youth programs, and the Saints in School
program," Cr Hampton said.
Cr Hampton said in addition to the construction of the training and
development facility, work was underway to bring a new community ground to
AFL level playing standards.
'While the oval will be predominantly used by the Saints it will be
available as a training venue for the Stingrays TAC Cup team and a game
day venue for local junior competitions," he said.
St Kilda Football Club CEO Michael Nettlefold said construction company,
the Buxton Group, had been named the builder of the new elite complex.
"The Buxton Group has a long and distinguished history and we look forward
to seeing the development completed on time and within budget," Mr
Nettlefold said.
"Our elite training facility is due for completion before the end of the
next season and will allow our players to complete their preparation and
recovery activities at the highest possible level.
"This $10.43m project would not be possible without the ongoing support of
the Victorian Government, the AFL and Frankston City Council and we look
forward to working alongside these partners as our new home begins to take
shape."
AFL Chief Operating Officer, Gillon McLachlan, thanked the Victorian
Government for its support of the St Kilda Football Club and the
redevelopment at Frankston.
"The 10 AFL clubs are the lifeblood of sport in Victoria, with more than
370,000 Victorians signed up as club members and 4.6 million Victorians
attending matches this year," Mr McLachlan said.
"The Victorian Government's valuable support of the St Kilda Football Club
enables them to continue to compete in the strongest way possible in
Australia's premier sporting competition, and further drives jobs in the
State.
Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera said communities across Seaford, Carrum
and Carrum Downs, Patterson Lakes and Langwarrin would also be able to
access the community facility.
"This new complex will provide a major new addition to the community," Mr
Perera said.
