Premier Steve Bracks today announced that MELBOURNEfc's new training and administration facility will go ahead as planned in the new rectangular stadium. Mr Bracks announced that the new stadium will have a capacity of 27,750 an increase from the original 25,000. Melbourne Victory are still to confirm whether they will call the new stadium home however the government has agreed to increase the capacity of the stadium to 31,500 if they agree to terms. Mr Bracks also announced that the stadium will be built by Grocon. Mr Bracks said "MELBOURNEfc and Melbourne Storm will be co-tenants in the new stadium, they will have a magnificent facility to call home."

At the launch were Paul Gardner, Steve Harris, David Neitz and MELBOURNEfc board member Sue Nattrass. Steve Harris said "this is a great result for our Club, we will have a home at the end of 2009. We need to raise funds and it has been difficult without absolute clarity around the stadium. The stadium now has a contractor who is ready to build, commitment from our club that we will be a founding tenant and for the first time our training and administration will be in the same place."

David Neitz said "as a club you cope with what you have, however a permanent training ground would be fantastic. To have rehabilitiation, gym sessions and training in the one place would make a difference in a game that is played with such fine margins. As to whether I will be here to benefit from these facilities in 2009, well that I can't say but there are plenty of boys on our current list who will be and it will be their gain."

The plans for the stadium have been in dispute for a number of months which have made fundraising for the new home difficult. Harris said "our members want to see concrete plans before they commit to helping with the fundraising effort, we can now move ahead with confidence. We will celebrate our 150th anniversary next year and it is a great message that the foundation club of this game has a home at last, right where it should be, within the major sporting precinct of Melbourne."

A lease agreement is expected to be signed shortly.