The LeasePlan Western Bulldogs today announced that it will increase economic growth and employment while providing much needed accommodation, meeting, convention and entertainment facilities in the west of Melbourne.
A town planning application has been submitted to the Maribyrnong City Council to establish a state-of-the-art accommodation and entertainment venue at Edgewater which is set to become a further symbol of the Western Bulldogs revival.
This icon facility will provide much needed 4 (four) star accommodation, meeting, convention and function facilities whilst providing a central meeting point for the wider community with state of the art and modern day open air restaurant facilities taking advantage of the unique positioning with spectacular views of the city skyline from the proposed site within the Edgewater precinct.
The Club has made a submission to the (VCGR) Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation in relation to re-locating the Club’s gaming machines from the Whitten Oval to this new icon building.
Western Bulldogs Board member Neil O’Keefe said the region needed economic stimulus and this exciting development would provide it through the construction of the site, more employment opportunities and a location for visitors to stay while also providing a much needed entertainment facility for locals.
“The government has highlighted the need for a fully integrated approach to entertainment facilities which include gaming, to be introduced instead of the stand-alone venues you see these days. This outstanding complex will be a fully integrated facility including function space, accommodation, merchandise sales, dining, entertainment and gaming,” said O’Keefe.
The Edgewater Club will consist of; 4-star accommodation ( 59 rooms), parking, a function and meeting centre catering for 300 people, a restaurant, gaming room, merchandising section, members bar, café, alfresco dining and children’s activity areas.
The Edgewater complex is expected to become a social hub for Bulldogs members once completed in late 2009.
“The complex, a first for this region and in fact establishing new benchmarks will be known as the Edgewater Club. It will have facilities for stand-up cocktail functions through to tailored workshop conferences for local businesses with seating capacity for gatherings of over 300 people. It will boast excellent food and beverage facilities for the whole family,” Mr O’Keefe said.
“Western Bulldogs acknowledge the community concerns with problem gambling particularly in lower socio demographic areas as part of this proposal,” said O’Keefe.
The Bulldogs have participated in gaming in the past at Whitten Oval and are proud of their responsible gaming procedures. The Western Bulldogs have been a pioneer and will continue to be involved as a partner in the State Government’s Responsible Gambling campaigns and is an active participant on the Elite Sports Gambling Task Force.
The Western Bulldogs put all monies made from gaming back into the community division of the club – SpiritWest Services.
The Club's community services division, SpiritWest Services has an annual operating budget of over $1.1M and is growing rapidly. Combined with the significant volunteer programs, and player appearances, the Western Bulldogs will deliver community-based programs in the western region of Melbourne (and beyond) worth almost $3 Million in 2008.
“No other club in any competition can boast this level of commitment to its community. This is why we proudly promote ourselves as THE Community Club of the AFL” said O’Keefe.
