Builder announced for $142m Kardinia Park Stadium Redevelopment VIC

Construction is scheduled to begin after the AFL season on the fifth and final stage of Geelong’s Kardinia Park Stadium Redevelopment following the announcement of a preferred contractor for the project. 

BESIX Watpac has been awarded the contract to deliver the redevelopment of “Australia’s premier regional stadium”, with works to begin in mid-September 2021. 

“We are proud of our record in delivering iconic stadiums in Australia and overseas and we share the passion of the millions of fans who have experienced these great venues. Stadiums are central to our engineering-led, multidisciplinary contracting strategy and we are excited to be back at Kardinia Park Stadium to deliver a special outcome for the Geelong community,” BESIX Watpac CEO Jean-Pol Bouharmont said. 

The Victorian Government has invested $142 million towards this project that will support more than 120 jobs during its construction. 

The company is targeting 91 per cent local content for this project, achieved through the Victorian Government’s Local Jobs First policy. This includes over 50 per cent of subcontractors engaged for this project to come from the local Geelong region. BESIX Watpac is also aiming for a minimum of three per cent Indigenous employment an aspirational goal of six per cent. 

In addition, the Major Projects Skills Guarantee will ensure apprentices, trainees and cadets will make up 10 per cent of the workforce for this project and approximately $1.2 million to be spent on goods and services from social enterprises. 

“We are delighted to be extending the same ‘spend local’ and ‘spend social’ economic initiative to the Kardinia Park Stage 5 Redevelopment to achieve real targets in local, Indigenous and disadvantaged employment as well as commitments on local procurement. We are extremely proud of the contribution we are making to the Geelong community and the local economy,” BESIX Watpac General Manager Victoria and South Australia Simon Ballard said. 

Artist impression of the entrance plaza (source: Kardinia Park Stadium Trust)

The multi-million-dollar redevelopment project will deliver a 14,000-capacity, two-tier northern stand that will replace the old Ford Stand and Ablett Terrace, increasing the stadium’s capacity to over 40,000 people. 

The Kardinia Park Stage 5 Redevelopment will also deliver a new northern entry plaza, change rooms, a regional cricket hub, replacement facilities for the Geelong Cricket Club and new media facilities. 

“Kardinia Park is an amazing asset for Geelong – and for Victoria – and with the creation of a new northern stand its transformation will be complete. 

“The benefits of an increased stadium capacity and A-grade facilities will be enjoyed by sports fans and the wider community for decades to come,” Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said. 

Operations of the stadium is expected to be boosted through the delivery of a new administration area for staff, a crowd management centre as well as additional CCTV capability. 

This project will also provide dedicated sustainability measures such as solar panels on the roof of the new grandstand along with provisions for battery storage. 

The $142 million redevelopment is due to be completed in mid-2023. 

“Continued investment has meant that Kardinia Park has not only kept abreast of global trends, but it is also setting the pace. 

“We can’t wait for the final piece of the redevelopment jigsaw to fall into place so we can provide an even better experience for fans and other users of this highly-adaptable stadium,” Kardinia Park Chair Stephen Gough said. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (1, 2); BESIX Watpac