Bulldogs get grant for Belmore facelift

Canterbury have received a $2.5 million grant to be spent on a refurbishment on Belmore Oval, their spiritual home ground.

The state government announced the news yesterday and the money will be added to a $4.9 million federal grant received by the club in May.

The project will see Belmore transformed into a 21st century facility to include a state of the art gym, recovery centre, theatre, and players’ lounge with study facilities.

Canterbury City Council and the Bulldogs will each contribute $500,000 to the project.

Announcing the grant, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally MP, said: “This funding will give local community organisations, clubs and sporting teams’ access to contemporary facilities at Belmore Sports Ground.”

The grant comes on top of $4.9million in Federal Government funding received in May 2010 as part of its Regional Local Community Infrastructure Programme.

Building work on phase one of the project is due to start in the coming months.

“We are extremely fortunate to now have the support of all levels of government in our efforts to bring the Bulldogs back home to Belmore Sports Ground,” said Bulldogs Chairman Mr Ray Dib.

“The Premier is a great supporter of Rugby League and we are extremely grateful to her for helping make the Belmore redevelopment a reality.”