The Fremantle Dockers have confirmed the club is moving its training and administration facilities to Cockburn.
The Dockers board of directors agreed earlier this week that the planned $107 million recreation facilities at Cockburn were its preferred option, rather than staying home at a redeveloped Fremantle Oval.
The City of Cockburn will pitch in $65 million for the project, while the Dockers have agreed to contribute up to $10 million.
Works on the new digs will kick off in March 2014, with the facilities complete by late 2016- early 2017.
The facility will include an AFL-sized training oval, aquatic and indoor recreational facilities as well as 6,000 square metres of administration and football facilities for the Dockers.
Fremantle President Steve Harris said moving to Cockburn was the best long-term move for the club.
“Because it is in a high growth area, and given the community focus of the development, we believe the Cockburn Central West option also presents better opportunities to secure State and Federal government funding,” Mr Harris said in a statement.
“In addition to the club’s operating costs at Cockburn Central West being less when compared to redeveloping at Fremantle Oval, the Cockburn Central West option allows for our club to have access to a bigger indoor training facility, bigger and better aquatic facilities and provides for access to a second oval.
“It is a green field site, so there is likely to be less planning uncertainty and there will be no facility transition costs or interruption to club operations as there would be under the Fremantle Oval master plan options.
Mr Harris said the club would maintain a link to the port city, however, and the club was "not leaving Fremantle".
“We will now work with the City of Fremantle to prepare a plan for the redevelopment of the club’s existing facility at Fremantle Oval, including an ongoing presence by the Freo Dockers at Fremantle Oval for sporting, community, retail and commercial purposes,” he said.
Mr Harris also said he wanted to reassure all members, supporters and sponsors that the move would not lead to the club changing its name.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou welcomed today’s announcement.
“Fremantle’s proposed partnership with the City of Cockburn is a terrific opportunity and will see the club have access to enhanced training and administrative facilities as part of an exciting new recreational centre that will benefit the growing local community,” Demetriou said.
“At the same time, I’m pleased to see the Dockers will maintain strong links with their Fremantle heartland.”