Work on the fifth stage of the Kardinia Park stadium redevelopment will begin after the AFL season with Australian construction company BESIX Watpac today confirmed as the project builder.
The Victorian Government has committed $142 million to deliver the final stage of the stadium redevelopment which at its heart includes the construction of a 14,000-capacity, two-tier northern stand to replace the ageing Ford Stand and Ablett Terrace.
This will increase the stadium’s capacity to more than 40,000 people, boosting Geelong’s ability to attract and host national and international events.
The new stand will include facilities for professional and community sport, including unisex change rooms, and administration facilities for the Geelong Cricket Club.
Additional features of the redevelopment include a new northern entry plaza, sports museum, function room and a suite of technology upgrades including additional high-speed public wi-fi and LED signage.
Stage 5 will also provide dedicated sustainability measures including solar panels to the roof of the new grandstand and provision for battery storage.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, said Kardinia Park is an amazing asset for Geelong – and for Victoria – and with the creation of a new northern stand its transformation will be complete.
“The benefits of an increased stadium capacity and A-grade facilities will be enjoyed by sports fans and the wider community for decades to come,” Minister Pakula said.
BESIX Watpac CEO, Jean-Pol Bouharmont, expressed the company’s pride in being awarded the project.
“We are proud of our record in delivering iconic stadiums in Australia and overseas and we share the passion of the millions of fans who have experienced these great venues. Stadiums are central to our engineering-led, multidisciplinary contracting strategy and we are excited to be back at Kardinia Park Stadium to deliver a special outcome for the Geelong community,” Mr Bouharmont said.
BESIX Watpac General Manager Victoria and South Australia, Simon Ballard, pointed to the major role the company is already playing in the local economy through the delivery of the City of Greater Geelong Civic Accommodation Building.
“We are delighted to be extending the same ‘spend local’ and ‘spend social’ economic initiatives to the Kardinia Park Stage 5 Redevelopment to achieve real targets in local, Indigenous and disadvantaged employment as well as commitments on local procurement. We are extremely proud of the contribution we are making to the Geelong community and the local economy,” Mr Ballard said.
A local content target of 91 per cent has been set for the project under the State Government’s Local Jobs First policy. BESIX Watpac is aiming to have more than 50 per cent of subcontractors engaged on the project from the local Geelong region.
The project is also targeting a minimum of 3 per cent Indigenous employment with an aspirational goal of 6 per cent.
A minimum of $1.2 million will be allocated to purchasing goods and services from social enterprises.
Construction on the project is expected to be completed in late April 2023.