Builder appointed to undertake fifth stage expansion of Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium

August 13, 2021

The redevelopment of the city end of Geelong's Kardinia Park/GMHBA Stadium will begin after the 2021 AFL season with leading construction firms - BESIX Watpac - confirmed this week as the project builder.

The $142 million fifth stage redevelopment that will increase Geelong's GMHBA Stadium will see the city-end Ford Stand and Ablett Terrace replaced by a two-tier stand that will house 14,000 people, taking the venue's capacity from 36,000 to more than 40,000.

It will include facilities for professional and community sport, including new unisex changerooms and a new entry plaza adjacent to Moorabool Street at the northern end of the ground.

Other features of the project will include a new northern entry plaza, sports museum, function room, high-speed public Wi-Fi and LED signage. Solar panels will also be added to the roof of the new grandstand, while more battery storage space will be provided.

Following previous enhancements that have included new Brownlow, Players, Premiership and Reg Hickey stands, the fifth and final upgrade has been funded in its entirety by the Victorian Government.

Announcing the building program, Kardinia Park Stadium Trust Chair, Stephen Gough stated “continued investment has meant that Kardinia Park has not only kept abreast of global trends, but it is also setting the pace

"We can't wait for the final piece of the redevelopment jigsaw to fall into place so we can provide an even better experience for fans and other users of this highly adaptable stadium."

Stadium operations will be bolstered through the delivery of a new administration area for stadium and event staff, a crowd management centre and additional CCTV capability.

The redevelopment will also provide dedicated sustainability measures including solar panels to the roof of the new grandstand and provision for battery storage.

With forecast to be completed midway through the 2023 AFL season, the venue operate with a reduced capacity during 2022 with the Cats hoping to push a number of 2023 home games into the second half of that season.

Image: Artist's impressions of the redeveloped city end at GMHBA Stadium. Credit: Kardinia Park Stadium Trust.

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8th February 2021 - $200 million plus redevelopment plan proposed for Launceston’s UTAS Stadium

18th January 2021 - Comment invited on plans for final stage upgrades to Geelong’s Kardinia Park Stadium

4th January 2021 - AFL stakeholders advance stadium plans in Cairns and Darwin

9th November 2020 - Victorian Government announces funding for completion of Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium as a 40,000 seat venue

2nd July 2020 - Stephen Gough named Chair of Geelong’s Kardinia Park Stadium Trust

2nd December 2019 - Sydney FC slams security at GMHBA Stadium following fan expulsions

8th May 2019 - Kardinia Park launches new water station initiative

3rd May 2019 - Kardinia Park Stadium Trust and Geelong FC partner to offer sensory inclusive experience

4th April 2019 - GMHBA Stadium becomes Australia’s first Sensory Inclusive Stadium

21st September 2018 - Labor makes election pledges to upgrade Geelong Performing Arts Centre and GMHBA Stadium

2nd November 2017 - Geelong FC announces GMHBA Stadium naming rights deal

19th May 2017 - New Brownlow Stand officially opened at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium

4th May 2017 - Victorian budget confirms next stage of Geelong’s Simonds Stadium upgrade

6th October 2015 - Upgrade begins at Simonds Stadium

28th July 2015 - AFL backs funding for Simonds Stadium redevelopment

7th April 2015 - Populous to coordinate stage four of Simonds Stadium redevelopment

2nd September 2014 - Funding to advance further redevelopment of Geelong’s Simonds Stadium

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