Essendon members will be the first to get a look at Colonial Stadium withtoday's official announcement that they will be allowed into the club'sfirst official training session at the venue next Monday night.
A maximum of 9000 Essendon members will be allowed into the stadium tofamiliarise themselves with the new surroundings while watching KevinSheedy put his players through their paces in the lead up to theseason-opener against Port Adelaide the following Thursday..
To register for the night members need to call Ticketmaster on 136122 after9am this Thursday. There booked entry tickets can then be collected fromboxes 1,2 and 4 at the north and south ends of the ground. (see diagram below). Tickets collected from these gates will not incur a Ticketmaster fee.
Click on the above diagram for more detail.
The gates will open at 6.30pm and close at 8.30pm. Entry is free and therewill be catering outlets open on levels one and two. The underground carparking at the stadium will be open from 5.00pm next Monday and will cost$5. The Victoria Harbour Car Park and the MAB car parks will also beoperational.
Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson said Monday night will be afantastic opportunity for members to see the new stadium and an opportunityhe urged them to make the most of.
"It is a great bonus for the club that we are able to train at the stadium.The players will certainly appreciate the opportunity to have a run at thestadium prior to the first game," Jackson said.
"But equally, this provides members with the chance to not only look aroundthe stadium but find the most convenient way for them to get to the ground,find out what parking is available around the venue and where their seatis.
"I would encourage members to take advantage of this opoportunity as I'msure it will help ease any concerns they might have about going to thestadium for the first time the following Thursday."
