The Deakin Cats Community Centre is an 800 square metre facility on the ground floor of the new Players Stand at Simonds Stadium which includes a computer lab, meeting rooms and a multipurpose area. This space is purpose built to facilitate community, education and learning. It will be fitted out with the latest technology.
This state of the art facility will become a hub for the Cats in the Community program including the new BioCATS and Cats Community Education Programs as well as a resource for external organisations as a training venue, meeting and seminar/lecture facility.
The Deakin Cats Community Centre will become a home for the Past Players and Officials Association, will house the zenith of Club memorabilia and become the starting point for the popular Home of the Cats tours.
Cats chief executive Brian Cook said: “We are thrilled to partner with such an innovative organisation as Deakin University. The partnership reflects a dynamic relationship between the two organisations. We look forward to continuing to add to the already large number of mutually beneficial opportunities with Deakin University.”
Deakin University Vice Chancellor Jane den Hollander said: “Deakin University is delighted to be furthering its partnership with the Geelong Cats through the Deakin Cats Community Centre. The centre brings together so much of what is important for Deakin and our Geelong community. With the potential to raise education aspirations of students across our community, Deakin University are looking forward to watching this opportunity flourish.”
The Hon. Hugh Delahunty MP, Minister for Sport and Recreation said: “One of the great features of the Players Stand development will be its capacity to give back to the community and families who have helped make the Geelong Football Club what it is today. The Victorian Government has long been committed to providing support for community sporting programs within large sporting infrastructure projects. The Deakin Cats Community Centre is another example of this.”
