Geelong CEO Steve Hocking concedes it’s unlikely a new stand at GMHBA Stadium will be ready in the 2023 season.
Originally expected to be completed by May, delays have seen the project pushed back and the 14,000-seat stand remains unfinished.
It’s set to take the capacity at Kardinia Stadium past 40,000, but Hocking says one decision has seen the new stand remain incomplete.
“This is the first stage of five that we haven’t managed and the trust have been managing this stage,” the Cats boss told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“It will take the capacity of (GMHBA Stadium) to 40,000, we’re really excited about that.
“It was due to come online in May, this May, not next May, and there was one decision that was made to procure steel overseas and unfortunately that’s delayed.”
A report out of Geelong in early March suggested there were defects in the imported steel, but Hocking described those reports as flat out wrong.
“It’s got nothing to do with welding as a local newspaper thought they’d run with, it was just delays in steel,” he continued.
“The actual roofline around the stadium, it’s quite sophisticated so there’s certain steel that needed to come in from overseas, my understanding is it’s on a boat somewhere.
“We won’t have it for too many games this year if at all, if I’m being completely honest, but we look forward to it next year.”
The state government has contributed $142 million to the project and as recently as early this year still suggested the project was on track to be completed by mid-year.
On top of the seating, the new stand will hold 2,500 fans in a standing room while also housing new changing rooms, function rooms and a bar.
The Cats have eight more games at GMHBA Stadium this year, with the next coming on Saturday afternoon against the Adelaide Crows.
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