The headquarters are being built as part of a new partnership between the APC and Essendon, the 16-time champions of the Australian Football League (AFL), who are building the new facilities at Tullamarine.

APC President Greg Hartung believes the partnership will help give Australia's Paralympians the chance to be successful on the international stage.

"This relationship has the potential to give us an edge, and that little bit extra you need when you're involved in high performance sport," he said.

"We will be able to learn from Essendon and they can learn from us."

Victorian-based Paralympic athletes are set to benefit from what will be the largest training environment within the AFL with an elite gym, medical, recovery and sport science facilities as well as a professional running circuit and two massive ovals, when it is finished in April 2013.


"It brings together a professional sports team and a professional group of emerging athletes in the Paralympic movement in an environment that's focused on excellence in the field of play," said Jason Hellwig, the chief executive of the APC.

"There are great synergies between Essendon Football Club and what we're doing at the Australian Paralympic Committee.

"We are two organisations absolutely committed to being successful on the field of play but also committed to our community.

"It's purpose built and we've been working with Essendon and their architects through the whole process to make sure it's a facility that is barrier free and really well designed for Paralympic athletes.

"I think the athletes, both the footy players and Australia's current and aspiring Paralympians are really going to enjoy training in that environment."

The new site is 18 kilometres from Melbourne's Central Business District and approximately nine kilometres from Windy Hill, Essendon's home ground.

The land size is 100,000 square metres.

Essendon chairman David Evans claims the partnership will provide two-way benefits in the area of high performance sport as well as furthering the reach to the Australian community.

"We are excited by the opportunities the new facility presents that will enable Essendon and the APC to work collaboratively to enhance the performance of our athletes while also delivering significant community benefits," he said.

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