The development of Fremantle’s new elite training and administration facility (ETAF) at Cockburn Central West takes another step forward today with an official sod turning ceremony on the site of the City of Cockburn’s new regional physical activity and education centre.

The ETAF, which will be integrated with the City of Cockburn’s new centre, will provide current and future Fremantle players with world class training facilities and at the same time create a genuine link with the community.

VIEW: Scope and scale of the new facility

Landcorp recently completed base-infrastructure work at the site, including earthworks and other site preparation, while the City of Cockburn, the Fremantle Dockers and building contractor Brookfield Multiplex have been finalising the integrated facility’s design in the first half of 2015.

Brookfield Multiplex is expected to commence work at the site later this month.

President Steve Harris said the club’s new home base at Cockburn Central West was a key plank in its strategic plan to secure the long-term future of the Fremantle Dockers, and in accordance with the club’s stated aim of achieving sustained success on and off the field.

“The facility will provide a new home for the operations of the football club, integrated with regional sporting, leisure and educational facilities for the community, including more than 100,000 people living in the rapidly growing Cockburn region,” Harris said.

“The international standard and scale of the facilities at Cockburn Central West will be world class and place the club at the absolute forefront of integrated elite sporting and community facilities in Australia.

“With more than 800,000 people expected to visit the City of Cockburn facility annually, there is a tremendous opportunity to grow our supporter base while at the same time engage with our existing members and supporters.”

Harris also acknowledged the significant funding contributions made by the City of Cockburn ($73 million) and the State ($12.4 million) and Federal ($10 million) governments and the project’s strong community focus.

“Large scale community projects of this nature would not proceed without financial support from all levels of government, which also highlights the significant community focus of the project,” he said.

“We take this opportunity to thank, Premier Colin Barnett, Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies, former sport and recreation minister Terry Waldron, Mayor Logan Howlett, Senator David Johnston, Senator Chris Back and Fremantle MHR Melissa Parke for their support of the overall project.”

The club’s direct contribution to the ETAF component of project, which can be met without going into debt, is $12.7 million, including $1 million from the AFL.

To help fund the club’s current and future strategic projects, including the new ETAF, the club has established the Fremantle Dockers Foundation.

It will focus on elite performance, including the club’s move to Cockburn Central West, pathway and development programs and community engagement.

The foundation’s ambassadors are current player Stephen Hill and former captain Peter Bell.

“The club has established the Fremantle Dockers Foundation to support our many community programs and also raise funds for special projects such as new elite training and administration facility at Cockburn Central West, Bell said.

“I can see a huge number of community members coming to the site to use its world-class facilities. Football moves so quickly and, inevitably, we’ll need to grow and at Cockburn Central West we will have room for that.

“We want new players to be excited about coming to the Fremantle Football Club, to the best training facilities and to be a part of our culture with the aim of achieving sustained success.

“It is about the next generation of players and supporters, the next Nat Fyfe or  Stephen Hill and the next member or supporter. We want to be able attract players and supporters, and retain them by offering the best facilities and services.”