Date: February 17th 2010
Author: Paul Amy
From: Pakenham Cardinia Leader

NEW A-League soccer club Melbourne Heart is sizing up Casey Fields as its future home.

The Heart hierarchy is assessing two sites for its administration and training base: the Cranbourne sporting precinct and La Trobe University at Bundoora.

A decision is expected within three weeks. Casey chief executive Mick Tyler confirmed the council had held discussions with Melbourne Heart.

“We’re hopeful of attracting them to Casey,” Mr Tyler said.

The Casey bid entails a stadium with seating for 500 spectators, a turf pitch, administration offices and player amenities.

The stadium is the centrepiece of a soccer centre of excellence featuring four synthetic pitches and a pavilion for use by district clubs.

It would be built at the southern end of Casey Fields, adjacent to the new Casey Fields Boulevard, the construction of which should start in the next 12 months.

The cost of the community precinct is about $15 million, with another $6 million for the elite facilities.

The projects are reliant on funding from the council, and the Federal and State governments.

The council has already put in a Federal application for the community component.

Melbourne Heart starts playing in the A-League in 2010/11 and is expected to have home games at the new Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

http://pakenham-cardinia-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/casey-s-bid-to-attract-melbourne-heart/