At its meeting on Tuesday 21 September 2010, the Yarra Council approved Collingwood’s submission to create a new co-located community services centre based at the club’s spiritual home.
Collingwood President Eddie McGuire said, “In one of the most significant weeks in our club’s history I am absolutely delighted, and tremendously proud, to announce that Collingwood will return to our traditional home at Victoria Park , and work with the council to establish a world class community centre, the biggest of its kind in Australia.
“I would like to thank the Yarra City Council, and in particular Mayor Jane Garrett, for her vision and commitment to restoring Victoria Park and to opening it up to the community.
“I am also proud to announce that today we have received a donation from the Pratt Foundation of $1 million that will go directly towards capital works and upgrading of the facilities in the Social Club Building. Our heartfelt thanks go to Heloise Waislitz, the Chair of the Pratt Foundation, not only for her generous and magnificent support, but also for her foresight and expertise.”
The Collingwood Football Club has a long and proud history of social responsibility and commitment to the community at Victoria Park. The club was created at Victoria Park from sheer pride as the residents of Collingwood struggled through the depression years and two World Wars.
The club is committed to pay tribute to that history, to reconnect with Victoria Park and once again having a meaningful role of community service in Collingwood and the City of Yarra.
The new centre will co-locate organisations, agencies and service providers that each address local community needs. Collingwood is in negotiations with a number of community groups and is seeking interest from organisations and service providers who may wish to be a part of the centre.
In 2009 the Yarra Council voted to welcome Collingwood’s VFL team back to Victoria Park to play its home games there this season, which was a huge success for the club, and back in May it was revealed that the Yarra Council and the Federal Government would co-fund a $7.2 million upgrade of Victoria Park.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and director of operations David Emerson stand in front of the restored entrance at Victoria Park.
