The announcement came on Monday as part of Premier John Brumby's $10.5 million Victorian AFL Club Facilities Funding Program.
It's another way the state government has put its support behind Collingwood and other Victorian AFL clubs as Australian football celebrates 150 years in 2008.
Mr Brumby said the funding would not only be a boost for players, coaches and supporters of nine Victorian clubs, with local communities to also benefit through access to facilities at the former AFL venues.
“This announcement will ensure that the Government’s vision of transforming suburban former AFL venues into multi-purpose sport and recreation hubs comes to fruition,” Mr Brumby said.
“The funding will also allow our Victorian clubs to be as competitive as possible in the national competition, where interstate clubs have historically had better training and administrative facilities”
Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino, said the funding boost was in addition to more than $23 million from the Government in the past two years for Victorian AFL clubs to improve grounds and facilities. Late last year Geelong Football Club received $6 million for further redevelopment of Skilled Stadium.
“This builds on the Brumby Government’s commitment to sport at all levels, with the funding boost to assist local community sporting clubs as well as elite AFL clubs,” Mr Merlino said.
“It also serves to recognise to contribution of AFL clubs and their supporters in the 150th year of Victoria’s very own sport.”
