PUNT ROAD DREAM TO BECOME A REALITY
Gary March
The Fighting Tiger Bulletin
June 2006
Although Richmond played its last official match at Punt Road Oval more than 40 years ago, there's no doubt the ground remains a very special place in the hearts and minds of Tiger fans.
I dare say that even those members of the Yellow and Black faith who have never set foot inside Punt Road Oval, still revere the Club's home base of more than 120 years.
Punt Road is a veritable shrine of Tiger memories and there's a very strong connection between Richmond fans and the famous ground.
That's why the recent announcement by the State Government and AFL that funding was being provided to several Victorian clubs, including Richmond, to improve facilities, was such good news for all of us.
As Richmond members would be aware, in 1996, under the leadership of Leon Daphne and with the great support and vision of many of the Tiger faithful, the Club embarked on the first phase of the redevelopment of Punt Road.
The Jack Dyer Foundation was established to raise funds to complete those works and it has remained the fund-raising vehicle for the Club with Phase 2 and now Phase 3.
To date, the Jack Dyer Foundation (JDF) has raised $2.5 million to assist in the redevelopment of Punt Road and I would like to thank our Board member, Don Lord, for his continued outstanding contribution to the Club with the JDF.
In 2002, with the assistance of the City of Melbourne and the use of AFL distribution proceeds from the sale of Waverley Park, the Club was able to embark on phase 2, which saw the building of a new administration building, a pool, and an upgrade of the players' gymnasium.
Phase 3 is perhaps the most important. It will be the culmination of the original vision and will provide our football department with facilities to match the elite teams in the competition, as well as providing our members with a long overdue adequate Social Club facility.
The current project budget estimate for Phase 3 of the Punt Road redevelopment is $6.5 million.
The proposed funding contributions are as follows:- Victorian Government $2.0 million
- The City of Melbourne $2.0 million (subject to budget process)
- The Australian Football League $1.5 million
- Richmond Football Club $1.0 million
What does the re-development include?The final scope for the development is still to be finalised, however the current scope of works proposed include the following elements:
- Demolition of the current Social Club, creating an integrated football administration and player training precinct;
- An elite level health and fitness area, including a fully equipped gymnasium and improved community access to the existing swimming pool;
- Purpose-built community meeting space and supporting amenities and change facilities to accommodate multiple sporting and charitable organisations;
- Development of a sports medicine precinct;
- Relocating the Club's museum to the ground floor to improve access;
- Upgraded membership and store facilities.
- Upgrade and improve interface between the Punt Road Oval and the Yarra Park open space precinct.
The initial scope of works developed is preliminary. Further planning will be undertaken during the project development phases to determine the capacity to achieve identified program elements and funding partner requirements within the available budget.
What will happen to the old Grandstand?- The facade of the Jack Dyer grandstand will be maintained, however, the proposal includes an upgrade of sporting infrastructure and community space beneath the grandstand.
What are the timelines for this project?- The final timelines for the project will be established once the project development phase is completed.
- The Club has indicated its desire to commence works on-site in 2008, providing it with enough time to raise the necessary finances to honor its commitment to the project.
The redevelopment of Punt Road is integral to the long-term prosperity of our great club and I am pleased that we will be able to conclude the final phase over the next few years.
This also will be a strong catalyst for our continued push with the AFL to have all of our home matches returned to the MCG.
Finally, thanks to everyone for your coontinued support of the mighty Tigers and I look forward (as you do) with great anticipation to the remainder of season 2006.
Considering the tough draw we encountered in the first part of the season, it is a more than admirable performance for us to be positioned where we are at the halfway point of '06.
It's full credit to Terry Wallace, his coaching staff and the players, and I'm sure there's a lot more excitement to come in the second half of this year and the next few seasons for the Tigers.
