THE two-storey Frankston Park Function Centre was officially opened last weekend on Saturday (19 September) by Frankston mayor Sandra Mayer, Labor Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny and Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson.
With Frankston Park already home to special events, VFL football, local football, junior football and – from next year – women’s football, Cr Mayer said this modern function centre would make Frankston Park a hub for an even wider section of the local community.
“This venue will cater for functions, events and conferences for local businesses, schools, sports clubs and community organisations,” she said.
“It’s also another great development for Frankston, along with significant investments in the Frankston Station Precinct, Chisholm TAFE, South East Water, the PARC aquatic centre and the Frankston Yacht Club redevelopment.”
Funded by the Frankston City Council ($1.5 million), State Government ($1.5 million), Frankston Football Club ($400,000), AFL Victoria ($250,000), AFL ($250,000) and federal government ($200,000), the centre will seat as many as 350 people downstairs and 220 people upstairs.
“We’re listening to grassroots sports clubs, who say they need more space to grow. Our investment will help the Frankston Dolphins stage vital fundraisers – and that means a stronger club,” Victorian Sports Minister John Eren said.
The function centre will be council-owned and managed by the Frankston Dolphins as part of their Frankston Park lease agreement.
AFL Victoria infrastructure and planning manager Ricky Bell said the project will help the Frankston Football Club become a strong and viable entity within the VFL.
“Frankston Football Club provides local talented players an opportunity to play at the highest level possible within their local area. It is hoped that this facility development will support the club in their ongoing sustainability and continue to see Frankston Park as the premier football facility in the region.”
Dolphins Acting President Joe Russo said “generous grants from Frankston Council, state government, AFL Victoria, AFL and the federal government” will enable the Frankston Football Club to provide the community sporting and social clubs with a cost-effective alternative for functions and events.
“This will give the Frankston Football Club the ability to generate the income necessary so the people of Frankston can have a successful, standalone VFL football team that we can all be proud of, and which will give our local up-and-coming footballers a pathway to play football at the highest level. This is what the Frankston Football Club is all about,” he said.