Works for Stead Park upgrade to begin on September 15
The greatest investment in Geelong hockey history is set to begin amid calls for the local association to be run like a medium-sized business and not a corner store.
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With works set to begin at Corio’s Stead Park in September, Geelong Hockey Association needs to be run like a medium-sized business and not a corner store, its president has told members and supporters.
Association president Graeme Dent announced on its website last month the State Government had contacted him personally to say works on the Stead Park redevelopment will begin on September 15.
The concept design phase for the Corio facility were recently completed.
Works include a new pavilion – replacing the old one – and a new international standard surface and electronic scoreboard for the Jim Kirk pitch plus a new pitch, lightning, parking and seating at Torquay, ensuring “excellent facilities”.
The pavilion’s ground floor will include four change rooms, areas for match officials and a new canteen while the second floor will have a social space for 120 seated people, outside decking area for 80 seated people, meeting room and kitchen, plus additional parking and increased seating.
Dent said with the association having access to Lynette Williams pitch two during the works, the 2025 season will proceed relatively normally with less of a reliance on grass fields.
“Next year will be a pivotal year in our history with a redevelopment at Stead Park and Torquay that will be the envy of so many other associations and clubs,” Dent said.
Dent said the funding would leave a legacy for the sport in the region.
“This is the biggest ever investment in Geelong hockey,” he said in the annual report.
However, Dent said the new facilities would provide “opportunities we have never had before”.
“We need to be ready and able to capitalise on them,” he said.
“We need to open our facilities to the public and see beyond our own community.
“A commercial kitchen allows us to have meals of a high standard often and the question is: ‘what does that look like?’
“The association has been run like a family-owned corner business. We now have to see it as a medium size business and with that comes the skills required.
“These are serious issues we need to address.
“How it is done, is by all of us having input. Our greatest resource is our community. Get on board.”
Meanwhile, association treasurer Cassandra Calder said it was in a strong financial position with no debt and in “great shape” to keep investing in its members and facilities.
Through higher pitch usage, successful events and strong canteen sales ($68,000), the association has seen a 20 per cent increase in income, resulting in a modest profit.
On the field, the association saw a huge reduction in umpire and player abuse with no red cards or suspensions across the local competitions.
Originally published as Works for Stead Park upgrade to begin on September 15