Expected August completion for first Wyndham Stadium Precinct venue

Work on the Wyndham Stadium Precinct in western Melbourne is underway with A-Leagues club Western United looking at being able to host matches at the complex’s 5000-seat training stadium as of later this year.

Part of the project to transform a 63-hectare site Tarneit into a sport, entertainment, business and residential precinct, the Regional Football Facility, which will host A-League Women’s and National Premier League (NPL) games, is on target to be completed by August.

With Wyndham City Council partnering with the Western Melbourne Group to deliver the project as part of a public-private partnership, the Regional Football Facility will include three pitches, a grandstand, gym and facilities with capacity for up to 5,000.

However, an opening date for the precinct’s major sporting venue, the 15,000 seat Wyndham Stadium has yet to be released.

Commenting on the progress of the project, Western United Chief Executive, Chris Pehlivanis told the Wyndham Leader “we’ve always had a desire to be based in the west and that’s something we’ve never shied away from.

“The plan is to play NPL and A-League Women’s matches (in Tarneit) from next season and we’re working behind the scenes to consider that venue for A-League Men’s games as well with the league.

“We’re working through building something there that meets those requirements.”

A move closer to its fan base could provide a greater boost for the women’s team, which has exceeded expectations both on and off the field in its inaugural season.

United also sits among the best attended teams in the A-League Women’s, with an average of more than 1500 fans through the gates at home - numbers only exceeded by Wellington, Sydney FC and Melbourne City.

Unlike the men’s team, United have opted to play the majority of its women’s matches in western Melbourne, with the team training and playing out of City Vista in Caroline Springs.

As of 20th February, Wyndham City Council advised that “the concrete pour of the grandstand is complete and the internal blockwork and structural installation well underway.”

Wyndham City Council also advised of the completion of the $1.37 million Manor Lakes College Oval upgrade.

The upgrade, which was fully funded by the Victorian Government, includes a full reconstruction of oval 2, lighting, and construction of a new practice cricket net enclosure.

Click here to view Wyndham Stadium Precinct Concept Master Plan.

Images: Work on the Wyndham Regional Football Facility (top), concept for the “Australia’s first sports and recreation-focused suburb” in Tarneit (middle) and the completed Manor Lakes College Oval upgrade (below).