WORLD CLASS LEXUS CENTRE SETS SPORTS BENCHMARK
Victorian State Premier Steve Bracks has officially opened the Lexus Centre in Melbourne - one of the most advanced sporting facilities in Australia.The Lexus Centre is the official home to the Collingwood Football Club and houses the Victorian Institute of Sport.
It is also a training facility for our elite athletes, including some who will compete at the Athens Olympics.
The Lexus Centre provides Collingwood players, members, supporters, administration and sponsors with access to high tech facilities.
The Centre is set in the heart of Melbourne's sporting precinct on the banks of the Yarra and opposite the MCG, Collingwood's home ground.
The landmark building was originally built as the swimming venue for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and was the site of gold medal wins by Dawn Fraser and Murray Rose. Murray Rose was present for the official rebirth of the famed venue.
Lexus' naming rights sponsorship of the centre was announced in April and the completed facility is now in use by Collingwood Football Club.
Lexus Australia executive chairman John Conomos, Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire and Melbourne Olympic Park Trust chairperson Alan Oxley joined Mr Bracks for the Lexus Centre's official launch.
The Lexus Centre's sporting facilities include an extensively equipped 800 square-metre gymnasium, 80-metre indoor running track, 25-metre four-lane swimming pool, plunge pools and spas, as well as Collingwood Football Club player facilities and administration offices.
Indoor and outdoor cafes, a Collingwood retail shop and Interactive Hall of Fame are available to Collingwood supporters and the general public.
The Lexus Centre also features state of the art corporate facilities including a 70-seat theatrette and the 300-person Lexus Lounge function centre, which may be hired.
Lexus Australia's John Conomos said the advanced and well-placed complex reflected Lexus' philosophy of quality and innovation.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the partnership between Lexus and Collingwood was also ideal.
"The fit between Collingwood and the Lexus philosophy of the passionate pursuit of perfection is perfect," he said.
He said the official opening represented one of the most significant moments in the club's history and marked the beginning of a new era for Collingwood.
"We are officially aligning Lexus, a premium international brand with a brand new state-of-the-art complex located in the heart of one of the biggest sports and events precincts in the world," he said.
Collingwood is Australia's biggest sporting club, with more than 40,000 members, 30 million TV viewers a year, 1.45 million annual attendance at games last year and more corporate support than any other club.
Lexus is one of the top three luxury car brands in Australia and last year set record sales, increasing sales by 44.3 percent over the previous year.
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