The next important phase of the highly anticipated VU Whitten Oval redevelopment is about to commence, concurrent with the completion of the demolition of the Whitten Stand.
Once complete, each of the Club’s teams will have access to a pristine refurbished and regraded playing surface, and fans will benefit with new seating, greatly improved food and beverage facilities, new broadcast quality lighting and improved entrances for the public.
To accommodate these changes, from Tuesday 23 August the VU Whitten Oval surface and surrounding landscaped areas will be closed to the public as work begins on this crucial phase of the precinct works.
The Club looks forward to welcoming patrons back to VU Whitten Oval once these external works are complete, which is currently expected to be in April 2023, in time for VFL, VFLW and AFLW matches.
The Bulldogs Shop and the Club’s membership services desk will remain open to the public for the immediate future.
The Bulldogs’ teams will continue to access the Club’s high-performance centre at VU Whitten Oval during the next phase of works, while utilising alternative venues for on-field training, including the newly redeveloped Skinner Reserve in Braybrook.
As previously communicated, the women’s team will play its Season 7 home games at alternative venues, including Mars Stadium in Ballarat, Ikon Park and Punt Road Oval.
“We are working with tight, detailed plans and timelines for the redevelopment project, and a key consideration for us is allowing the new VU Whitten Oval turf to be ready as soon as possible next year, including for the AFL team to train on ahead of the 2023 season,” said Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains.
“This means we need to start these works immediately in order to meet those timelines.
“If we wait any longer, we face the risk of the process dragging out, which will greatly impact the ability for our programs to utilise the oval during the 2023 season.
“In addition to the disruptions our football programs will face, we acknowledge the impact these works will have on local residents and their access to the oval and surrounds. This will be an inconvenience for a period of time, but we are so excited about what our members and fans, and the local community, will come back to when the work is complete.”
Further information on the VU Whitten Oval redevelopment can be found at the Club’s website hub, or enquiries can be emailed to redevelopment@westernbulldogs.com.au.
