Behind in the last quarter, Carroll kicks in $55 million for AFL clubs

详细摘要

Three teams – including Premier Ben Carroll’s club – will have a share of $55 million to upgrade their facilities should the Labor government be re-elected.

Labor is splashing the cash on AFL clubs as election day approaches, promising $55 million to upgrade the facilities of three teams should it be returned to power.

This masthead can reveal Premier Ben Carroll is throwing his support behind redeveloping St Kilda’s RSEA Park headquarters in Moorabbin, North Melbourne’s Arden Street home and Essendon’s Windy Hill site.

North Melbourne – Carroll’s team – would receive the largest investment, with $25 million earmarked for upgrades to community infrastructure. Sources close to the negotiations, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have told this masthead this would include improvements to spectator amenities for AFLW games and additional car parking. Players and staff are currently required to move their cars throughout the day.

The footprint of the Kangaroos’ Arden Street home is among the smallest of all AFL club bases, so with a green space zone recently earmarked for an area at the back of the ground, expansion is probably also on the wish list.

The Saints would get $20 million to build an indoor training facility for their AFL and VFL men’s and women’s teams, as well as local blind and wheelchair football teams. There would also be a new four-court basketball centre, office space for the McKinnon Basketball Association and a potential cafe. A one or two-storey public car park, estimated to fit about 500 cars, is also part of the plan.

A St Kilda spokesperson said the club’s vision was for RSEA Park to become the primary community sport and recreation hub in Melbourne’s south.

The final $10 million would go to the first stage of a “precinct-wide redevelopment” of Essendon’s Windy Hill, which the club has been pushing to become one of four dedicated venues for women’s football, as the AFLW seeks to reduce the number of match venues from more than 20.

“Only Labor will make sure there are great venues for AFLW fans and great facilities for the local communities that surround them,” Carroll said.

The government expects the…

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