LIGHTING up Eureka Stadium for Friday Night Football was just a taste of what to expect.
Newly released architectural drawing show exactly how Eureka Stadium will look with a 5000-seat grandstand. Curved and modern, the build is a key feature in bringing AFL premiership games to Ballarat next year.
Construction tender applications closed last month and the successful contractor is expected to be announced in June. Grandstand construction will start soon after to ensure completion for the 2017 AFL season. The build will play out this football season with minimal disruption to North Ballarat tenants in their home games.
Central Highlands Football League must find an alternate grand final venue, which the league is yet to confirm, for this season.
Melbourne firm Peddle Thorp Architects, whose design portfolio includes Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, have worked closely with the City of Ballarat and Eureka Stadium neighbourhood in the design process. This process has been particularly on roof shape and lighting to minimise impact on adjoining properties.
Redevelopment works began in late September. The ground has been resurfaced, realigned 32 degrees and reshaped to Etihad Stadium dimensions to meet AFL and Western Bulldog standards.
Western Bulldogs have committed to playing AFL premeirship season matches at the new-look Eureka Stadium for five years from 2017. The Bulldogs have expressed an interest to continue playing in Ballarat as an alternate base beyond that period.
New 37-metre tall, 300 lux light towers illuminate the ground to Victorian Football League standard. North Ballarat Roosters hosted VFL rival Geelong under lights on Friday night for the first game on the redeveloped ground.
A new mound along Creswick Road and the showgrounds side of the ground created raised vantage points for spectators. The covered grandstand will take the ground capacity to 11,000.
Other upgrades include improved change rooms, a new video and electronic scoreboard, food stalls and universal-access toilets.
Premier Daniel Andrews, Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford, Wendouree MP Sharon Knight, and Western Bulldogs President Peter Gordon launched the architectural designs.
“It’s not just about elite football; it’s not just about elite sport. You’re going to see lots of different sports, lots of different age groups...people getting access to the first-class facilities that they are entitled to,” Mr Andrews said.
“This is well on the way to being a very special precinct; one that stands out not only in regional Victoria but across regional Australia.”
