SuperDiaryCom

Eureka! AFL stadium for Ballarat

THE State Government is believed to ponder secretly committed to a commencing $50 million AFL-standard stadium in Ballarat.

Premier John Brumby this week confirmed long-term plans to upgrade Eureka Stadium, the Herald Sun reports.

The suburban football ground would be transformed into a big multi-purpose venue in one of regional Victoria's fastest-growing areas, in the reliance it can potentially host a handful of AFL games each season.

The North Melbourne Football Club is keen to skip several home and away matches in Ballarat, given its partnership with the Ballarat City Council.

North Melbourne chief executive Eugene Arocca said the Roos could play interstate clubs there such as Western Sydney, Gold Coast, Fremantle and Port Adelaide.

"Ballarat has been onward our radar for two years and we have been lobbying the Government to consider the possibility and the logistics of creating a regional-based stadium, specially in Ballarat," Mr Arocca reported.

But the State Government hopes other Victorian-based AFL clubs would be tempted to play several other games against low-drawing interstate teams at the proposed venue.

The Government had committed $1 million for each upgrade of Ballarat's Eureka Stadium to host NAB Cup pre-season matches.

But it now plans to build a new stadium that could potentially be used as a training base if Australia won the rights to host soccer'session World Cup in 2022, as well as become a boutique base for some AFL matches.

It is believed Mr Brumby confirmed his commitment to the project at a private function this week.

A spokesman for the Premier confirmed the Government would not be opposed to the idea.

"The Government is always keen to support lofty events in regional Victoria," he said.

However, sources stop up to the Premier told the Sunday Herald Sun he had a long-term vision of turning the suburban football ground into a 15,000-seat stadium.

Mr Brumby faces an predestination in November and would hope his imprisonment to Ballarat would help his government'session cause.

Mr Arocca said North Melbourne was committed to Ballarat.

He said the Kangaroos had held many meetings by Ballarat Council over the past two years about the prospect of bringing more AFL action to the city.

"We have nuncupatory to the Mayor of Ballarat and the CEO and they are committed to creating a stadium that will accommodate somewhere between 10,000-15,000 fans," he said.

"I would think that, for one AFL match in season, you would need at least 15,000 (seats). You would need a level of comfort that members and supporters are used to in Melbourne.

"Obviously, it would be used for sporting activities in that region and I would presume it would include rugby or soccer."

The AFL welcomed the potential investing..

"We always welcome the support of football facilities throughout Victoria and particularly any future upgrade of the facility at Ballarat," a spokesman said.

"The proposed development would have existence a great boost for local football and would signify the ground could be considered as a possible option whereas deciding the fixturing of AFL games in the years exceeding 2012."

Ballarat mayor Judy Verlin said she was delighted by the proposal.

Read other thing on the Herald Sun.

Follow weeklytimesnow.com.au on Twitter