THE STAGE four redevelopment of Simonds Stadium is set to begin this year after the City of Greater Geelong agreed to change the conditions attached to its $6 million contribution.
The council approved its $6m contribution last week but several conditions – including that payments towards the stadium works begin no earlier than the 2017-18 financial year – threatened to delay the project.
However, Geelong remained "cautiously optimistic" that further talks could find a solution and it came after the council's extraordinary meeting on Tuesday night.
The AFL Commission last month tipped $4 million into the redevelopment of Simonds Stadium, adding to the state government's $75 million contribution and the club's $4 million investment in the redevelopment.
"This is a significant and positive decision by the council that will bring a significant economic and social benefit to the region," Geelong CEO Brian Cook said after the council funding was approved.
"The councillors have shown great leadership in working to ensure that this redevelopment can go ahead without delay. It's an exciting day for the club and for the city."
The Cats hope work will start immediately after Saturday's final home game against Adelaide, to confine any disruption to next season.
The project, budgeted to cost just above $90 million, will see the outdated Jennings and Brownlow stands reconstructed.
If the project starts at the end of the season, the disruption would be minimised to a reduced capacity in 2016 and potentially a delayed start to Cats' home games for the 2017 season.
Once completed, the stadium will seat 36,000 spectators and host other events in addition to AFL games.
