The LeasePlan Western Bulldogs are delighted to have been included in the funding allocation for AFL clubs announced by Premier John Brumby today.
The Bulldogs will be given an additional $500,000 towards the completion of a multi-court community indoor sports facility at Whitten Oval.
Western Bulldogs CEO Campbell Rose said the Club was pleased to receive the funding boost which would be another step towards creating the community hub of the west.
“I would like to thank the State Government for showing its support to our vision of creating a community sports hall as part of our redevelopment at Whitten Oval.
We believe the oval will become a beacon of the west with open spaces for the public to use, a walking track, café, child-care centre and now the sports hall. This funding will help us bring our vision to reality.”
The multi-court community sports hall is the final stage of the $26M redevelopment which includes the players’ facility, the Elite Learning Centre; the main building to house the Western Bulldogs administration headquarters, shop, office spaces and café and a 105-place childcare centre.
“The Western Bulldogs would also like to acknowledge the support of the Australian Government, the AFL, the Forever Foundation and the City of Maribyrnong for their significant contribution towards making the dream of the Whitten Oval a reality.”
From the Premier of Victoria
Monday, 17 March, 2008
$10.5 MILLION BOOST FOR VICTORIA’S SUBURBAN AFL GROUNDS
Victorian AFL clubs will share in a $10.5 million funding boost for their suburban grounds and training facilities as Australian Rules football celebrates 150 years, Premier John Brumby announced today.
Mr Brumby said the funding would not only be a boost for players, coaches and supporters of nine Victorian clubs, with local communities to also benefit through access to facilities at the former AFL venues.
“This announcement will ensure that the Government’s vision of transforming suburban former AFL venues into multi-purpose sport and recreation hubs comes to fruition,” Mr Brumby said.
“The funding will also allow our Victorian clubs to be as competitive as possible in the national competition, where interstate clubs have historically had better training and administrative facilities”
Mr Brumby, speaking at Punt Road Oval today, said the Victorian AFL Club Facilities Funding Program would allow for a range of facilities to be developed for use by the community, including meeting and function rooms, change-rooms for local sports, aquatic facilities, water saving initiatives, community gyms and indoor netball and basketball courts.
“It will ensure that these grounds, which have been local icons for many years, continue to retain their status and value rather than falling into disrepair,” Mr Brumby said.
Funding for the expanded Victorian AFL Club Facilities Funding Program includes:
- $2.5 million to support development of a new indoor facility, ground improvements and drought-proofing at Punt Road Oval;
- $2 million for completion of new football department facility at Arden Street;
- $1.5 million for ground reconfiguration at Windy Hill;
- $1 million to assist Melbourne Football Club with relocation to Rectangular Stadium;
- $1 million to support the redevelopment of MC Labour Park;
- $1 million for new water recycling technology at Waverley Park;
- $0.5 million for multi-court community indoor sports facility at Whitten Oval;
- $0.5 million to improve training facilities at the Lexus Centre supporting Collingwood Football Club’s relationship with the Melbourne Vixens netball team; and
- $0.5 million to help St Kilda open up Moorabbin Reserve facilities for community access.
Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino, said the funding boost was in addition to more than $23 million from the Government in the past two years for Victorian AFL clubs to improve grounds and facilities. Late last year Geelong Football Club received $6 million for further redevelopment of Skilled Stadium.
“This builds on the Brumby Government’s commitment to sport at all levels, with the funding boost to assist local community sporting clubs as well as elite AFL clubs,” Mr Merlino said.
“It also serves to recognise to contribution of AFL clubs and their supporters in the 150th year of Victoria’s very own sport.”
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou welcomed the new funding for clubs and said it would play a major part in preserving Victoria’s historic suburban football grounds.
“This is a very important week for the AFL and its clubs as we embark on this celebratory season,” Mr Demetriou said.
