Bellerive to be upgraded to 20k capacity

Bellerive Oval, or Blundstone Arena as it's now known, will be upgraded to hold 20,000 spectators by 2015 after the Government announced $15m in funding.

This Commonwealth funding will contribute to the extension of the Southern Stand boosting the capacity to about 20,000.

The Members and Players Pavilion will also be extended and allow other sports including AFL to house their Tasmanian headquarters at the oval.

Bellerive Oval currently has a capacity of around 16,000 and over past summers has regularly sold out major sporting contests.

Once the redevelopment is complete, more Tasmanians will get to see more sporting matches right here in Hobart.

In 2015, Bellerive Oval will be ready to host matches as part of the Cricket World Cup. In addition the upgrade will lock in North Melbourne AFL matches at the venue.

The project will also boost tourism in and around Hobart.

PM Julia Gillard thanked the Member for Franklin, Julie Collins, for her continued representations on behalf of the people of Tasmania.