Sydney Swans Chairman Andrew Pridham believes the redevelopment of Lakeside Oval in Moore Park will pay ‘major dividends’ for the Club in the long term. 

The multi-million dollar upgrade will see the venue increased to the dimensions of Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, while the playing surface will also be improved.

Supporters travelling to SCG home games will also be better off, with the public-transport interchange to be relocated and improved, while safer lighting is set to be installed.

Pridham said he expected the ground to play host to Swans NEAFL and AFLW games in the future.

“One of the major challenges for the code in New South Wales is the facilities and lack of ovals at both the elite level and a community level,” Pridham said. 

“It’s been a long-term focus of ours to have a second ground beyond the SCG where we can play elite level football and that is particularly NEAFL but ultimately AFLW as well.

“We have put a huge amount of effort into working with various stakeholders being the State Government, SCG Trust and Centennial Parklands Trust to redevelop the oval that we have used for many years.

“It is a really exciting development and I think will pay major dividends moving forward to the Club.”

Along with the redevelopment of Lakeside Oval, the construction of a new training and administration facility, to be named the Sydney Swans HQ and Community Centre, makes for an exciting 12-month period off the field for the Club.

“One of the really important things we have been working on now for over a decade has been to secure a world-class facility.”

“These are the two major strategic off-field initiatives for the Club.

“Fans will have their first opportunity to walk through it and see what an amazing piece of architecture it is at our annual Fan Day in February and I think the fans will be blown away.”