Demolition of EJ Whitten Stand makes way for major upgrade at Whitten Oval

The demolition of the old EJ Whitten Stand in Melbourne’s Inner West is making way for a major upgrade of facilities at Footscray’s Whitten Oval, along with providing training and administrative headquarters for the AFL’s Western Bulldogs Football Club and the home ground of its reserve team which competes in the Victorian Football League.

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos has announced a further $8.2 million investment from the Victorian Government into the second stage of the oval’s redevelopment.

The project will deliver integrated men’s and women’s football program facilities and a new indoor field to support the club’s training and community programs.

The Government had already committed $36.6 million for the Stage Two redevelopment to replace ageing facilities and support the growth of the club.

The new EJ Whitten Stand will be built with improved seating and facilities for spectators, along with a new function room, administration offices, and space for the club’s Community Foundation to deliver its programs.

The project will also include broadcast quality sports lighting, the refurbishment of the entry building and museum, and a new match day pavilion with a merchandise shop, food and beverages, first aid room and amenities.

The Footscray site is the home of the Bulldogs, but AFL games stopped being played there in 1997. It has been given a new lease of life in recent years with the return of VFL and hosting VFLW and AFLW games. When the project is complete in early 2024, it will cement Whitten Oval’s status as a premier AFLW training and match day venue.

Stage One of the redevelopment was delivered in 2018 to support the club’s participation in the AFLW competition with female friendly change rooms and umpires’ rooms, and a video scoreboard.

Western Bulldogs President Kylie Watson-Wheeler notes “The government’s financial contributions have enabled us to realise our dream of a reimagined precinct, which will not only give our elite men’s and women’s teams the most cutting-edge facilities in the competition, but a place for the whole community of the west to enjoy."

Image Credit: Western Bulldogs