Comment invited on plans for final stage upgrades to Geelong's Kardinia Park Stadium

Plans for the stage 5 renovation of Geelong's Kardinia Park/GMHBA Stadium have been revealed, with the public currently being invited to have their say on the project.

The final, and most expensive stage, of the 20-year project to create an international standard sporting venue in Victoria's second largest city, plans now on display show how the venue will be completed.

The $142 million development will see the construction of a new 14,000 capacity, two-tier northern stand to replace the ageing Ford Stand and Ablett Terrace, increasing the venue’s capacity to over 40,000 and boosting the venue’s ability to attract national and international events.

It will feature new function rooms and corporate suites across its four levels along with improved changerooms added for athletes, plus better provisions for security staff, ground officials, media and an office for the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, which runs the venue.

Members of the public have until 5pm Wednesday 20th January to comment on the plan put forward by the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust as part of the process for gaining approval from Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne.

If agreed, work will start in September, once the Cats have ended their home and away AFL season.

When it reopens for the 2023 AFL season the concourse and entry plaza will become GMHBA Stadium’s main entry point.

In submitting the design, international sports architects Populous says that the venue will have broader public appeal, pledging it will be “a stand for the city as opposed to a sport” and create “an enduring piece of public architecture that welcomes all to not just the stadium, but to Kardinia Park and the city of Geelong.”

The Geelong Cricket Club will have its off-field facilities upgraded, and also score a stand-alone indoor training facility near its present outdoor complex.

Images: Plans for the stage 5 renovation of Geelong's Kardinia Park Stadium/GMHBA Stadium.