Ballarat is now AFL ready after Mars Stadium was officially opened on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The opening coincided with a community event that brought sports enthusiasts and families together to experience the redeveloped stadium for the first time.
The Eureka grandstand was also unveiled as a nod to the rich history of the city.
It’s hoped Mars Stadium will enable the region to attract international events and become part of the regular AFL season thanks to a new home ground relationship developed with the Western Bulldogs.
An historic match between the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide will be played in Round 22 on August 19.
The upgrade features a better playing surface with the same dimensions as Etihad Stadium, capacity for 11,000 spectators, a 5000 seat undercover grandstand, 37 metre-tall light towers and a 50 square-metre video scoreboard.
A pledge to bring AFL to Ballarat was a key election commitment for Labor in the lead up to Premier Daniel Andrews’ victory in 2014.
And Wendouree MP Sharon Knight and Labor frontbencher Jaala Pulford, who are close friends, were there on Saturday to see the promise come to fruition.
Ms Knight told the crowd that a young teenager had written a letter to her in 2011, listing all the reasons why AFL footy should come to Ballarat.
“You’ll be around 18 now, I wonder if you’re here today,” she said.
"We’re not just bringing AFL to Ballarat, we’re bringing footy fans and visitors from Victoria and interstate.
“It’s fantastic news for jobs.”