Kardinia Park unveils final stage of $142m transformation

About 40,000 fans are expected to flock to Kardinia Park on Saturday for the first Cats game of the season. Here’s what fans can expect from the final stages of the redevelopment, including the new Selwood Stand.

Kardinia Park’s new 14,000-seat stand, named after Geelong legend Joel Selwood, is ready to welcome fans to the Cats’ first game of the season this weekend.

Dubbed the “biggest and best regional sporting and cultural facility in regional Australia” by Premier Jacinta Allan, Kardinia Park is expected to draw 40,000 fans to the opening match for the Geelong Cats on Saturday.

The $142m stage five upgrades, funded by the state government, have resulted in the venue’s largest-ever stand, a new media centre, Fred Flanagan Function Room, Argyle Bar, AFL-standard unisex change rooms, and other key amenities.

As part of the upgrades, the stadium will also feature a standing platform for 2300 fans, offering a unique perspective.

The Kardinia Park redevlopment started almost 23 years ago.

However the Djilang Plaza, which faces onto Moorabool St outside Gate 1 of the northern end of the stadium, will not be completed by the opening round.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Joel Selwood at the Kardinia Park new Joel Selwood stand opening. Picture: Alison Wynd

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said completed works for the Djilang Plaza were expected to be completed by the end of April.

On Monday, Ms Allan said once completed, the plaza would provide a great connection around the stadium for people to make their way through it.

Ms Allan said Kardinia Park would provide a space for sporting events as well as “a range of other activities”.

“Kardinia Park is a very special place for Geelong,” Ms Allan said.

“We are proud to have backed it every step of the way because of what it means both for sport, for cultural events, but also to support the economic and cultural activities here in the Geelong community.”

In November last year, it was announced that the redeveloped Northern Stand would be named after former Cats skipper Joel Selwood.

Selwood, who joined Ms Allan at the stadium on Tuesday to view the upgrades, said he was “blown away” when he found out the redeveloped stand would be named after him.

“I grew up working here, I loved this workplace for 16 years, but it has become much more than that,” Selwood said.

“I loved coming to play, it brought a smile to my face, I hope it continues to bring smiles,” he said.

Originally published as Kardinia Park unveils final stage of $142m transformation