Australian Football League (AFL) side Richmond Football Club has unveiled plans for the redevelopment of its Punt Road Oval and the establishment of the William Cooper Centre.

The redevelopment will include a resizing of the oval to the same dimensions as the MCG, state-of-the-art facilities for the Tigers’ women’s program and enhanced facilities for the men’s program.

There will also be a new grandstand that will house up to 8,000 spectators (up from 2,500), and improved education spaces for the Korin Gamadji Institute – Richmond’s Indigenous program. 

Richmond, based in a suburb of Melbourne, said the redevelopment will strengthen the club’s capacity to deliver on-field success across its men’s and women’s programs, further deepen community engagement and create a welcoming environment for members and supporters.

Most importantly, it will ensure Richmond remains in Richmond. It will provide a centre of excellence for the two elite football programs and the club’s 150 staff.

Punt Road Oval has been the home of Richmond for more than 135 years – this redevelopment will ensure that remains the case long into the future.

The redevelopment will deliver enormous benefit to Richmond and the broader community. It includes:

- Equitable, state-of-the-art facilities for the women’s program

- Further enhanced facilities for the men’s program

- Punt Road Oval will be re-sized to the same dimensions as the MCG

- The redevelopment will comfortably accommodate 8,000 spectators

- An improved eduction space for the Korin Gamadji Institute

- A home to the Bachar Houli Foundation

- Quality classroom space for the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School

- Underground car parking

- Enhanced and useable Yarra Park space for community use

Broad plans have been lodged with Heritage Victoria and the final part of the planning process – which includes community consultation – will be completed early in the New Year.

The cost of the project is A$65 million. A$30 million has been secured thanks to the support of the Federal and State governments and the Club will shortly ramp up its fundraising efforts through the Fighting Tiger Fund to secure the balance.

@PanStadiArena