THE Carlton Football Club’s Masterplan took a significant step closer to becoming reality on Wednesday morning.

The Hon Minister Martin Pakula and Senator the Hon Jane Hume joined Carlton President Mark LoGiudice at Ikon Park on Wednesday morning to celebrate the progression of the construction works.

Stage 1 of the Ikon Park Masterplan is now well underway and will see the Blues possess the first fully-integrated football facilities in the League.

Players will experience state-of-the-art AFL and AFLW changerooms, as well as a world-class gymnasium, that will be situated below a newly refurbished administration area that has been designed to make the Carlton Football Club an Employer of Choice.

The Masterplan has been underpinned by $20 million in funding by the State Government, $15 million from the Federal Government and invaluable support and guidance by the City of Melbourne.

Carlton President Mark LoGiudice said the progression of the Masterplan was in line with the Club’s commitment to be a leader in Australian sport both on and off the field.

“This redevelopment of Ikon Park will be the next landmark moment for women’s football in Australia,” LoGiudice said.

“The Carlton Football Club, along with the Federal and State governments, have committed to build on the success of the AFLW and continue to grow female participation in sport.

“We are proud of the significance this project will hold for the future of the women’s game as we solidify Ikon Park as the home of the Carlton Football Club and women’s football, both now and into the future.”

The Hon Minister Martin Pakula said:

“This is a wonderful announcement, another great step forward for football and for women’s football in particular.

“The works that have already started here at Ikon Park are going to deliver an extraordinary, integrated, men’s and women’s training facility, new gymnasium, new administration offices and better lighting.

“We’ve seen participation in women’s sport and AFLW in particular go along in leaps and bounds over the last few years and facilities really need to keep pace with that. That is why this program of ground redevelopment that the government has supported across a number of clubs over the last couple of years is so important.

“Here at Ikon Park we are going to see some of the best facilities for women’s sport in Australia.”

Senator the Hon Jane Hume said:

“Ikon Park is of course an icon, it has been around since 1897 and now it has found a new lease on life as the home of AFLW.

“The facilities that we are seeing being created at Ikon Park today are a game changer for women’s sport. Integrated training facilities will take elite female athletes to the next level and so they well should.

“It is a terrific opportunity to see the development of an iconic ground for the fans and the community as well.

“Congratulations to the Carlton Football Club, the players and the fans because this is going to be a terrific opportunity.”