By Mick Roberts

7 November 2012 - The Torch

A NEW player tunnel, excavated under Belmore Sportsground's inconic grandstand, is just one of the features of the new-look $7 million upgrade to the spiritual home of the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.

Parkview Projects, which coordinated the upgrade, have transformed the facility into one of Sydney's leading training centres, with a million dollar practice pitch, full gym, a theatre, indoor/outdoor running track, physio room and state-of-the-art hot spa directly connected to a giant ice baths. The famous grandstand has received a major overhaul, including the removal of more than 5,000 tonnes of dirt and the upgrade of the Steve Mortimer Bar and Player's Lounge complete with an indoor barbecue area.

Parkview Project Director Emile Tabet said to eliminate unnecessary detours, a tunnel was excavated and constructed leading out from the new gym directly to the main grounds.

"Using the latest in technologies and drawing from our employees' many years of experience, we managed to build through the existing structure without damaging or affecting the integrity of the frameworks," he said.

The works also included the refurbishment of the change rooms to accomodate the needs of both the rugby league and soccer teams that make use of the facility, as well as the replacement of all 7,500 seats within the grandstand to ensure spectators also have access to the latest amenities.