Ikon Park stage two revamp completed as AFLW returns
The Carlton Football Club has unveiled stage two of its Ikon Park redevelopment as the ground prepares to see the return of AFLW matches.
Construction works have taken two years, which saw the Pratt Stand demolished and the Carlton FC headquarters extended, meaning the venue’s capacity has been reduced for matches.
New broadcast quality lighting will allow for night matches without the need for temporary lights as were previously used for AFLW matches. The facility will also provide upgraded match-day facilities including new player change-room facilities and a range of venue upgrades that will enhance the supporter experience.
A new entry and foyer at the facility features views into the gym, while there is a new interactive museum space, merchandise shop and café.
The redevelopment has also delivered a high-performance facility, 50 x 25m indoor training centre, cardio gym and aquatic recovery area for men and women, along with a boardroom and additional administration offices.
The Victorian Government contributed $20 million in funding to the project.
Traditionally known as Princes Park, the ground last hosted an AFL match for the Blues in 2005, but has since hosted many AFLW games including the inaugural match in 2017 which attracted a sell-out crowd of 24,568.
In 2018, Ikon Park hosted the AFLW Grand Final and this redevelopment now cements its place as Melbourne’s premier AFLW venue.
Stage Three of the Ikon Park redevelopment is ongoing and is set for completion in mid-September. This part of the redevelopment will include a match-day pavilion, where the Pratt Stand once stood, housing visitor and VFL/VFLW changerooms, along with a function centre and event space with completed landscaping and connections to Princes Park.
The ground will host nine matches during the upcoming AFLW season, including the season-opener between Carlton and Collingwood on August 25. It’ll also host two Western Bulldogs home games due to the Whitten Oval redevelopment, plus an Essendon, and Geelong home game.
Carlton CEO 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.
Victorian 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.”
