Due for completion at the end of 2009, the contemporary design of the Children's Hub is indicative of the changing nature of the Whitten Oval precinct which now boasts the new Mission Elite Learning Centre, upgraded Bulldogs Central retail outlet, and community conference and training rooms. In addition, public medical facilities are now available with the opening of the newest tenant Physio Plus Footscray at Whitten Oval.
In addition to the 80 childcare places, the Children's Hub will include a separate 25 place kindergarten room, and allied health consulting rooms – providing significant increase in services to the western region of Melbourne.
Chief Executive of Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS), the not-for-profit operator of the Children’s Hub Marie Howard confirmed that “the Bulldogs commitment to the construction of 105-place Children’s Hub in Footscray will provide a much-needed boost to the availability to quality childcare at an affordable cost in the area.”
Scheduled for opening in January 2010, the Children's Hub will be soon joined by a new 4-court indoor basketball, netball & soccer facility which will service over 3,500 people per week including many children from the club’s “Bulldogs Friendly Schools” programs in the west.
Bulldogs Chief Executive, Cam Rose said “the construction of the Whitten Oval Children's Hub is another exciting step forward in the Bulldogs commitment to the western region. The Whitten Oval redevelopment re-inforces our mantra as The Community Club of the AFL – with the Training & Conference Rooms almost complete, the Children’s Hub under construction and plans finalised for the Community Club Sports Hall – the Whitten Oval will be a thriving neighbourhood activity centre with some 5,500 visitors per week utilising its facilities.”
The Children’s Hub at Whitten Oval is scheduled for completion in December 2009 and open for business in January 2010. Any enquiries should be made to Erin Boyd at ECMS on 8481 1100.
