A CAMPAIGN to bring a major Asian soccer nation to Ballarat as part of the 2015 Asian Cup tournament is growing momentum.
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And The Courier can now show the first pictures of what has so far been completed at the new Ballarat Regional Soccer Stadium.
These are the first pictures released of the new Stadium’s 6 change rooms which have been built with each a different colour.
A roll-a-door is between the rooms to make three large change rooms.
Also built is a canteen, medical room, referee’s room, several store rooms and the stairs to the second level which will be completed in the final stage of the development by next March.
“The stadium has secured the funding to be fully completed and that will give us the very best chance moving forward to help us hopefully secure a nation here in Ballarat for 20 odd days ahead of the Asian Cup," bid chairman Duncan Smith said.
“We need to spend the money well on the infrastructure that will put us in the best position for the Asian Cup but also for the sport into the future”.
After being a supporter of the 'Back the Bid' Ballarat since its inception earlier this year media business The Courier has officially signed up to the campaign.
Editor of The Courier Andrew Eales urged all Ballarat residents to get behind the bid.
"The Courier believes the Asian Cup is a great opportunity to sell and promote the city to a captive international audience who see Australia as a great country to come and visit," Mr Eales said.
"The potential exposure to the city will provide benefits over and above being part of an elite sporting event. It will go much deeper than that and will be felt for many many years to come.
"With what the completed stadium and regional soccer facility will look like and the great traits of our city in general, being Lake Wendouree, our tourist attractions and the weather at that time of the year, we believe Ballarat has a strong case to host a major nation and we will be supporting the bid on behalf of the people of Ballarat to make this a reality.
"The Courier is proud to support 'Back the Bid' Ballarat and we urge our readers to get behind the campaign."
Bid chairman Duncan Smith said it was great to see such an icon of Ballarat putting their name to the campaign.
"It is great to see The Courier and an integral part of the city becoming part of the 'Back the Bid' Ballarat family".
"This bid is about all of Ballarat not just the football community; it is so much bigger than that. This will I believe touch almost every single person in Ballarat in some way, shape or form over the next decade or so.
