The Western Bulldogs Football Club today announced a $1.5 million upgrade of Victoria University Whitten Oval that will confirm the iconic ground’s status as the home of community football in the Western Region of Melbourne.

The upgrade, delivered in partnership with the Victoria State Government ($500,000), Maribyrnong City Council ($500,000) and the AFL ($250,000) will bring the Oval’s match day facilities up to VFL standard including new change-rooms, coaches’ boxes and ground lighting improvements.

Western Bulldogs Chief Executive, Simon Garlick today thanked the State Government, Maribyrnong City Council and the AFL for their significant contributions to the project.

“With the return of VFL football to Victoria University Whitten Oval this year through the Footscray Bulldogs we have been thrilled with the numbers that have flocked to the ground to support grass roots, community football,” Garlick said.

Garlick said bringing the ground up to VFL standard would see the Footscray Bulldogs play at least nine home games at VU Whitten Oval next year after successfully hosting five matches and a highly successful Qualifying Final in 2014.

“The new facilities will provide a significant boost to sporting and community infrastructure in the western region of Melbourne - the Bulldogs backyard - and the fastest growing community in the country,” Garlick said.

Importantly, the investment, which includes a $250,000 injection from the Club itself, will result in the establishment of two new gender neutral change rooms that will provide women’s football with access to a quality, professional venue across the female footy talent pathway.

The Western Bulldogs have forged an alignment with the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) to maximise women’s access to VU Whitten Oval from 2015 that is set to include:

The alignment builds on the successful establishment of the Western Bulldogs Women’s Team and first Victorian Club run All-Girls NAB Auskick Centre – both of which will be hosted at the ground in 2015.  

New change rooms will also support significant increases in the use of the Oval by Western Bulldogs community programs across our comprehensive multicultural, disability, youth and health community platforms.

The new upgrade builds on the recent transformation of the ground into a community hub that sees more than 100,000 people visit the precinct annually to access a diverse range of amenities including a 105-place child care centre, community sports stadium and the local eatery – Barkers Café.

“We look forward to further transforming Victoria University Whitten Oval into a place where our community can come to not only enjoy football but to experience a wide range of activities for the whole family,” Garlick said.