The Geelong Cats have officially unveiled the completed stage 4 redevelopment, the Charles Brownlow Stand, in what was a historic day for the Geelong community, the region and the club before tomorrow night’s game against the Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium.
Geelong Cats CEO Brian Cook, Minister for Sport, Major Events & Tourism John Eren, Chairman of the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust Steve Bracks and Member for Geelong Christine Couzens today officially unveiled the completed Charles Brownlow Stand.
“We started with this vision in 2001, a masterplan … and over the four stages we’ve spent $200 million in total amongst all of the stakeholders,” Brian Cook said.
“It’s taken 16-17 years and it’s been a real task.
“But when your dreams come true, or a vision becomes a reality, it is very comforting in the soul.”
The Charles Brownlow Stand includes 6500 seats and increases the total capacity of Simonds Stadium to 36,000, providing the ability to host a diversity of events of national and international significance.
The state-of-the-art redevelopment includes, improved media facilities, a new 1000-seat function centre, merchandise store, café, an enhanced football department and the Sunrise Centre, a community facility that will aim to rehabilitate people to return to the workforce following serious injury.
A game-changer for the club, the $91m redevelopment includes $75m investment from the State Government, $6m from the City of Greater Geelong, $4 from the AFL and $6 from the Geelong Cats.
The Charles Brownlow name holds a special part in the club’s heritage, Brownlow’s contribution to the club, the city and the game was outstanding.
A total of seven past and present players have taken home the medal – ‘Carji’ Greeves (1924), Bernie Smith (1951), Alistair Lord (1962), Paul Couch (1989), Jimmy Bartel (2007), Gary Ablett (2009) and Patrick Dangerfield (2016).
Brownlow Medallists Alistair Lord and Patrick Dangerfield attended today’s formalities and were joined by Carji Greeves’ daughter June Ford, Bernie Smith’s son Jeff & family, and the late Paul Couch’s wife Geraldine, son Joseph and daughter Molly.
