THE Carlton Football Club is delighted to confirm the completion of Stage Two of the IKON Park redevelopment, providing members and fans the opportunity to return to the Club for the first time in over two years.
Stage Two of the project delivers fully integrated, state-of-the-art AFL and AFLW facilities, and administration areas, cementing IKON Park as the home of AFLW.
Chief Executive Brian Cook said the Club was excited to launch the completion of Stage Two and was particularly proud of its commitment to gender equality as part of the building investment.
“We are proud to launch the completion of Stage Two today and warmly welcome our members and fans back to IKON Park,” Cook said.
“The IKON Park redevelopment will see the Carlton Football Club become the first AFL club to host fully integrated facilities, whereby our AFL and AFLW athletes will now have access to equal amenities, which is something we are incredibly proud of.
“The completion of Stage One, which occurred in April 2021, includes brand-new AFL and AFLW changerooms that are located alongside each other and are of the same size and quality, providing a strong physical representation of our commitment to gender equality.
“When the Club set about undertaking this historic work, it was based upon achieving facilities for women’s sport that would be the equal of their male counterparts. It is with great thanks to the Victorian and Federal governments that this objective has now become a reality,” Cook said.
The Club’s spiritual home, for the first time ever, will now also host its own interactive and immersive museum that pays homage to 159 years of proud Carlton history.
In what has been the biggest redevelopment ever to be undertaken at IKON Park, Stage Two of the IKON Park redevelopment also includes:
- Elite recovery, cardio and high-performance areas
- Indoor training field measuring 25m x 50m
- Broadcast-quality lighting
- Expanded retail facilities at The Carlton Shop
- The Carlton Football Club's brand-new café 1864
- Function and events centre
- A purpose-built Boadroom and Business Loung, which is the first of its kind within the sporting industry, with the sole intention to create exclusive access for Carlton IN Business members and club partners to use and conduct business
- Elite administration areas
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said, “Carlton Football Club was established in 1864 and is an integral part of Victoria’s football history – with this development the Club and IKON Park enter a new chapter in that history as the home of ALFW.”
“We’re giving our AFLW stars and Blues fans a world class stadium they can be proud of, complete with better broadcasting facilities so everyone can enjoy high-quality match coverage.”
The facility will also provide upgraded match-day facilities including lights to broadcast standard, new player change-room facilities and a range of venue upgrades that will greatly enhance the supporter experience, ensuring that attendance at all AFLW games continues to increase.
Chief Executive Brian Cook said the Club was incredibly appreciative of the investment made from the Victorian State and Federal government, which has allowed a truly state-of-the-art facility to be developed at the iconic ground.
“We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge both the Victorian and Federal governments for their significant financial contributions, with this investment consolidating our position as the home of AFLW,” Cook said.
“With the expansion of the AFLW competition and growth in female participation numbers increasing, this funding will provide elite facilities in the heart of Melbourne, which is essential to growing Carlton and the game of AFL.
The investment in the IKON Park redevelopment provides all Victorians with the opportunity to be part of the growing competition of AFLW, whether this be through player or coaching pathways, fan engagement or crowd attendance.
“This commitment also ensures that AFLW games, whether they are season openers or grand finals, can be played at a venue that will help take the AFLW game to a whole new level for players, coaches and fans.
“The expansion of our elite training facilities will also support the increase in demand to service our combined football programs and the wider community, with opportunities available to inspire and develop the next generation of female sporting talent,” Cook said.
“We cannot wait to see fans back at IKON Park supporting both our AFL and AFLW teams, whether that be at AFL open training sessions or at our upcoming Round 1 AFLW season opener where we will be hosting rivals Collingwood under lights on Thursday 25 August.”
Stage Three of the IKON Park redevelopment is currently ongoing and is set for completion in mid-September. This part of the redevelopment will include a match-day pavilion housing visitor and VFL/VFLW changerooms, along with a function centre and event space with completed landscaping and connections to Princes Park.
