WORK is underway to complete the redevelopments of Jubilee Park Stadium and St Kilda Football Club’s former training ground in Seaford.
Both major projects were left in limbo after the collapse of construction company Lloyd Group. The builder had been contracted to complete the projects, but entered voluntary administration earlier this year.
Frankston Council has now confirmed that works have resumed on the Healthy Futures Hub project, which will occupy St Kilda FC’s former homebase. It has also confirmed that works are expected to recommence soon to put the finishing touches on the Jubilee Park Stadium redevelopment.
A statement from Frankston Council read that “a builder has been appointed under a construction management model to manage subcontractors to facilitate completion of remaining works [at Jubilee Park Stadium] and subsequent project completion. It is expected works will recommence onsite in the next three to four weeks.”
“Council has secured the services of selected subcontractors so they can return to [the Healthy Futures Hub] site and complete the remaining works considered priority for occupancy of the site. Priority works have recommenced onsite and will be completed over the next two to three weeks,” Frankston Council said. “Council officers are also in regular contact with St Kilda Football Club, and other tenants, and expect early access to the building will be available shortly. Our next update will provide further details of timeframes regarding access for St Kilda and other tenants.
“Council recognises this process has taken time. Unfortunately this is the nature of this situation where things have changed rapidly as the appointed administrators worked through all of the many components of the voluntary administration, now liquidation, process.”
Two other Frankston Council projects were contracted to Lloyd Group at the time of its demise – Eric Bell Pavilion and Lloyd Park Senior Pavilion. Contracts for both projects are now out for tender.
Frankston Council has worked alongside administrator Deloitte to advance works on the projects. Deloitte was appointed to be Lloyd Group’s voluntary administrators on 31 March (“Jubilee Park builder goes bust” The Times 3/4/23).
The Jubilee Park build was expected to cost around $35 million, and was very close to completion.
St Kilda FC moved its training from Seaford back to Moorabbin in 2018. Frankston Council renegotiated its lease with the club in 2021 to allow for the Seaford site to be used for other purposes (“New lease for Saints at Seaford” The Times 11/10/21).