The Bulldog bark and bite was louder than ever in Ballarat today with fans flocking to Eureka Stadium hoping for Premiership glory on Saturday’s AFL Grand Final.
Ballarat Bulldog supporters also got a taste of things to come, joining Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford, Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight and Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard to inspect Eureka Stadium’s progress as it gets ready to host its first AFL Premiership league match in 2017.
Today’s site visit reaffirms the relationship between the Andrews Labor Government, City of Ballarat, the AFL and the Western Bulldogs, which will bring AFL games to regional Victoria in a win for fans and the regional economy.
In recent weeks, the project has continued to kick goals with essential service delivery finalised, the first structural steel for the Eastern Stand installed, and 90 per cent of demolition to the front of existing sports clubs completed.
New light towers were installed at the main oval and North Oval 2 in April this year, which allowed local footy clubs to train after dark and give the 2016 season a red-hot go.
The completed redevelopment will mean more than 5,000 undercover seats and a total stadium capacity of more than 11,000 spectators.
The project is expected to create 38 construction jobs, attract an extra 1500 participants per year, draw another 21,000 visitors to Ballarat each year and increase annual tourism spending in the city by up to $3.6 million.
The Labor Government is investing more than $30 million in the Eureka precinct redevelopment, which includes upgrading Eureka Stadium, the Wendouree Sports and Events Centre and the C.E. Brown Reserve.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“Premiership droughts are there to be broken and that’s why we wish the Bulldogs all the very best on Saturday.”
“The Bulldog bark will be heard loud and clear in Ballarat on the weekend and we look forward to thousands of Doggie fans being regular visitors to the region when AFL makes its debut in Ballarat next year.”
Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
“Footy has always been big in Ballarat and we’re thrilled to see our new affiliated team, the Western Bulldogs, into the AFL Grand Final this weekend.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard
“Our investment in the Eureka Precinct has already provided a world-class stadium for local sporting clubs. The project is set to provide a major injection into the regional economy when the Doggies play AFL matches here in 2017.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020