“Herald Sun, Wednesday, Nov 25 2009” New Aths Centre Revealed

Racing into the future
Footballers will seize control of the historic Olympic Park athletics stadium by 2011.
Work will begin at Victoria’s new $50 million home for athletics at Albert Park early next year.

The Lakeside Oval centre is expected to be fully operational in less than two years. Allowing the Collingwood Magpies to take over the Swan St athletics precinct.

The Olympic Park running tracking will be ripped up and replaced with an MCG-sized training ground right next to Collingwood’s headquarters.

The Pies will share the training ground with AFL rival Melbourne, Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory.

Work at Albert Park will include restoration of the 1926 heritage-listed grandstand.
It will become home to the Victorian Institute of Sport. Boasting a world-standard track, recovery pool, soccer pitch, electronic scoreboard, corporate boxes and a new northern grandstand.