Expression of interest open for Eureka Stadium upgrade, featuring grandstands and athletics track

New artist’s impressions have been revealed of an upgraded Eureka Stadium as expressions of interest open for the “once in a generation” investment in Ballarat’s sports facilities.

The latest impressions of an upgraded Eureka Stadium, to have 5000 new seats and a new athletics track.

New renders have been revealed of an upgraded Eureka Stadium, to soon boast 5000 new permanent seats, a new athletics track, and improved accessibility.

The upgrade was first announced in October 2022 in preparation for the since-cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Sport Minister Steve Dimopoulos visited the stadium on Thursday and said expressions of interest had opened for a head contractor to construct the upgrades.

A render of Eureka Stadium from above.

The athletics track.

The cost of the work will be drawn from a $2b regional fund, but Mr Dimopoulos did not reveal the expected price of the Eureka Stadium tender specifically.

When first introduced, the stadium upgrade was valued at $150m.

About whether the contractor would be local, Mr Dimopoulos said the government would be “guided by the market”.

“We have a strong commitment to fulfilment that impacts local supply chains and I would love to see, whether it be the head contractor or at least many of the subcontractors, be locals,” he said.

Morton + Co Architects said it and Cox Architecture remained attached to the projects, as was announced in April 2023.

Ballarat mayor Des Hudson called the investment “once in a generation”.

Ripon MP Martha Haylett, Ballarat mayor Des Hudson, and Sport Minister Steve Dimopoulos at Eureka Stadium..

Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson said an investment of between $150m to $200m would usually take the council 15 to 20 years of getting smaller grants.

“It’s a huge commitment by the state government to continue to honour those expectations that we were expecting in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“ … This is a once in a generation, almost, ability to get such a significant investment to deliver the quantum over three significant sites that is absolutely transformational.”

Cr Hudson said the projects would be complete “within a couple of years”.

Elsewhere, a new oval and sports pavilion will be built at Miners Rest, and the Ballarat Sports Event Centre in Wendouree will receive court, broadcast, lighting, and accessibility improvements.