MCG's Great Southern Stand to get multimillion dollar refurbishment

The MCG's Great Southern Stand is set for a $55 million facelift, with the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) confirming a $25 million commitment to the project.

MCC President David Meiklejohn and MCG Trust Chairman John Wylie joined Victorian Premier John Brumby, Sports Minister James Merlino, and AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou for yesterday's announcement.

The $55 million project, comprising funding of $30 million from the Victorian Government and $25 million from the MCC, will extend across the entire Great Southern Stand and will include enhancements such as:

• Refurbishment of function rooms and creation of sports bars to provide improved viewing areas, similar to those offered on the northern side of the stadium.
• Upgrades to food and beverage areas, concourses and toilets to provide a more family-friendly environment.
• Improved entry point to the stadium, ensuring a more streamlined ticketing process.
• Updated audio visual equipment, including installation of plasma screens.

Meiklejohn said the agreement again underlined the commitment that the Melbourne Cricket Club had made to ensuring the MCG remained one of the worldâs finest multi-purpose stadiums, stating "the MCC, through the continued financial support provided by our members, is committed to the ongoing development of this great ground that spans almost 160 years.

"I acknowledge the strong support of the Victorian Government and the substantial effort of our partners at the AFL in achieving this outcome."

Wylie added "this investment in improving the Great Southern Stand comes only four years after the completion of the $465 million Northern Stand redevelopment project and builds on the recent $22 million commitment to water recycling and other improvements in Yarra Park.

"This is testament to the commitment of the MCG Trust and the MCC to the continuous development and improvement of the MCG to ensure it remains Australia's best sporting stadium."

Victorian Premier John Brumby explained that "the MCG is the jewel in Melbourne's sporting crown - it's one of our proudest icons, and is recognised across the world.

"There's no denying that our ongoing investment in sporting infrastructure in this state, is the reason weâre the sporting events capital of the world.

"It's been 20 years since the Great Southern Stand was built, and the time is now right to make the necessary improvements to ensure the MCG continues to deliver the world-class sporting experience for all Victorians and for our many interstate and overseas visitors who use the ground."

Demetriou concluded "the MCG is the great sporting ground and so far this year more than 2.7 million football supporters have been to AFL games at the ground.

"We greatly appreciate the support of the Victorian Government and the MCC and in partnership we will continue to work to deliver the best possible facilities for sports fans.

"September is the month when the MCG really shines and to see a full MCG, as we will this week, reinforces the importance of the ground to our game and to footballer supporters across the country."

Construction is expected to begin in June 2011, with work completed in time for the commencement of the 2013 AFL season.

For more information go to www.mcg.org.au