Richmond’s famous Punt Road Oval will undergo a major facelift from next month, with resurfacing and reconfiguration works set to bring it to Etihad Stadium proportions.
The support generated by the Club’s Fighting Tiger Fund, combined with AFL support, has made the project possible.
Importantly, the new state-of-the-art surface will be complete in time for beginning of the 2013 pre-season - the most critical time of the year for training.
“It is imperative the surface is available for pre-season, which is when it is used most by players - that is why it makes sense to push ahead with these works now,” said Richmond CEO Brendon Gale.
“The timing is never ideal, but now is the right time to move. There will be some short-term inconvenience, but it is simply something that needed to be done for the long-term benefit of the Club.
“It is the players’ most important piece of equipment, and it is critical we give them the best possible surface.
“The first phase of the Fighting Tiger Fund provided us with the financial support to reduce our debt by $1 million and, combined with AFL support, provide the necessary funding for us to reconfigure and resurface Punt Road Oval.
“With the relocation of Richmond Cricket Club and the development of the new ME Bank Centre, we will have a first-class facility for the preparation of our players by the end of this year.”
Richmond’s players will utilise Craigieburn’s MCG-sized Highgate Reserve, and Victoria Park, for training, while works are completed on Punt Road Oval.
More than $3 million has been pledged to the Fighting Tiger Fund so far, and the Club will hold a fundraising function at the ME Bank Centre this Saturday, June 2, in a bid to further reduce debt and invest in football programs.
