THE WESTERN Bulldogs' redevelopment of Ballarat's Eureka Stadium has taken a major step forward with the unveiling of concept designs for the first phase.
At a meeting involving Bulldogs president Peter Gordon and local and federal politicians, an announcement was made to start community consultation on the $15 million project.
The draft design will be available to Ballarat residents and groups at an information session in December, and will then head to the Victorian Minister for Planning for approval, before construction is expected to commence in 2016.
The announcement brings the club's plans to bring AFL games to Ballarat one step closer.
Gordon said he was excited about the plans.
"It is great to bring AFL football to the people of Ballarat, it is great to grow our club into this region, it is great for tourism, it is providing jobs – there are so many good elements to this," Gordon said.
Work has begun on the redevelopment that includes improving the playing surface, installing watering and drainage, reducing the oval to the size of Etihad Stadium, making room for proposed grandstands, upgrading change-rooms and match-day facilities, and improving lighting.
The first phase of the redeveloped precinct will deliver more than 5000 undercover seats, and a total stadium capacity of over 11,000 spectators.
