A letter from the CEO: Redevelopment update

[Eastdog]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1053580/a-letter-from-the-ceo-redevelopment-update


A letter from the CEO: Redevelopment update
Chief Executive Officer Ameet Bains has penned an open letter to Bulldogs members and fans.


To our loyal Bulldog family,

I hope you’ve enjoyed a safe and relaxing summer with family and friends after what was another disrupted year with the covid-19 pandemic.

We continue to face challenges with the virus from a football perspective, with our AFLW season impacted twice already due to AFL Health and Safety Protocols, while our men’s team continues to be vigilant as they enter a crucial block of pre-season training.

Despite this, we have so much to look forward to in 2022, and the sense of excitement from our members and fans is palpable. If you haven’t signed up yet, we encourage you to join us on our record-breaking journey beyond 50,000 members. A massive thank you to the just over 37,000 of you who have already committed for the year ahead.

We are now just over six weeks away from our opening round AFL Grand Final rematch against Melbourne, while we look forward to welcoming you all back to VU Whitten Oval tomorrow night for our critical AFLW clash against Fremantle.

In the meantime, we have some exciting work to update you on, as the next stage of our Whitten Oval Precinct redevelopment gets underway.

Over the coming weeks, preparations will commence ahead of the demolition of the existing Whitten Stand, which will kick-start a significant reimagining of our home over the next few years.

This year we will begin to rebuild the stand to become the centerpiece of our amazing facility, as well as install broadcast quality lighting, start work on an indoor training field, reconfigure the surface of the oval and begin landscaping works to improve the experience for our fans and visitors on AFLW, VFL, and VFLW match-days.

We will transform our football facilities for our four elite teams to provide the best chance for sustained success, and we will provide modern amenities for our community to enjoy. It will be a place for all Bulldogs people and our wider community to work, explore, engage and connect.

Crucially, we are committed to recognising our long and storied history throughout the new facility, as well as those who have played a significant role in ensuring we have become the prosperous and strong Club you support today.

That includes our generous donors, and the almost 400 loyal members and fans who purchased a plaque in the Whitten Stand as part of the Club’s debt reduction campaign in 2013.

We will communicate directly with the owners of those plaques this week with our plans to honour their important contribution.

Unfortunately, due to the sheer size of the work needing to be undertaken over the next couple of years, there will be some impact on access for visitors to VU Whitten Oval. This will include decreased carparking spaces and reduced capacity for matches held at the venue.

Barkers Café and the Bulldog Shop will continue to operate from the precinct, with finer details of access and operations to be communicated in due course.

As we continue to work closely with key stakeholders to hand over sections of the facility to our construction partners, tomorrow night’s AFLW match against Fremantle and this weekend’s scheduled Round 5 game against Richmond remain likely to be the final opportunities for our members and fans to sit in the famous stand in its current form.

We encourage our Bulldogs family to take this opportunity to soak in the nostalgia of the Whitten Stand, imagining the exciting future that awaits the Club while you support our Fierce Women of the west.

We’ll have more updates on our design plans and other aspects of the redevelopment to share with you throughout 2022. Until then, take care and stay safe.

Go Dogs!

Ameet Bains.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

I hope the plaques can go somewhere at the ground if not in the new grandstand. Our family bought them as memorials to our deceased relatives and were planning them for ourselves in the (hopefully distant) future

[bornadog]

I hope the plaques can go somewhere at the ground if not in the new grandstand. Our family bought them as memorials to our deceased relatives and were planning them for ourselves in the (hopefully distant) future

Looks like they will go somewhere in the new facility


Crucially, we are committed to recognising our long and storied history throughout the new facility, as well as those who have played a significant role in ensuring we have become the prosperous and strong Club you support today.

That includes our generous donors, and the almost 400 loyal members and fans who purchased a plaque in the Whitten Stand as part of the Club’s debt reduction campaign in 2013.

[SonofScray]

I hope the plaques can go somewhere at the ground if not in the new grandstand. Our family bought them as memorials to our deceased relatives and were planning them for ourselves in the (hopefully distant) future
Likewise. I have been more inclined to visit my nan in her seat than at the cemetery because that’s where I know she’ll be. The plaque has been such a fitting tribute to her. All for the redevelopment, and accepting of the change but the little bit of disruption and loss here does sting a little.

[Eastdog]

Was good to have been able to sit up in the EJ Whitten stand in recent years. Many older woofers would have some great memories of it.

[Grantysghost]

Was good to have been able to sit up in the EJ Whitten stand in recent years. Many older woofers would have some great memories of it.

We used to all congregate on the fence in front of it Easty.

My parents from God knows when (50s?) ;me from 1979 ish.

It was pretty much like church. We'd get there early for the reserves, dad would park the car in Staughton Street and we'd walk down to the ground.
The man with only an index finger and thumb would stamp my paper membership at the turnstile and I'd be in. The beautiful expanse of the Western Oval.

I'd head straight for our spot and then once camped off to the pie stall for two four n twenties! Maybe a coke.

Then other members of the family would trickle in until you could barely move when the seniors started.

Best part was half time when my mum and my auntie whipped out the chocolates and we all dug in!

It was always an awesome day win lose or draw; even with mum putting a garbage bag over you to stop the rain xD

My most vivid memory of the 80s is jumping the fence at the end, feeling the soft turf of the oval (feet would sink half a shoe) and running out to Doug Hawkins, Rick Kennedy or Steve MacPherson et al.

They all look massive in my memory; like gods.

I touched their jumpers, they patted my head... I was ecstatic for a week.

Then we'd do it all again.

Pretty awesome days Easty, and we sucked!

[bornadog]

We used to all congregate on the fence in front of it Easty.

My parents from God knows when (50s?) ;me from 1979 ish.

It was pretty much like church. We'd get there early for the reserves, dad would park the car in Staughton Street and we'd walk down to the ground.
The man with only an index finger and thumb would stamp my paper membership at the turnstile and I'd be in. The beautiful expanse of the Western Oval.

I'd head straight for our spot and then once camped off to the pie stall for two four n twenties! Maybe a coke.

Then other members of the family would trickle in until you could barely move when the seniors started.

Best part was half time when my mum and my auntie whipped out the chocolates and we all dug in!

It was always an awesome day win lose or draw; even with mum putting a garbage bag over you to stop the rain xD

My most vivid memory of the 80s is jumping the fence at the end, feeling the soft turf of the oval (feet would sink half a shoe) and running out to Doug Hawkins, Rick Kennedy or Steve MacPherson et al.

They all look massive in my memory; like gods.

I touched their jumpers, they patted my head... I was ecstatic for a week.

Then we'd do it all again.

Pretty awesome days Easty, and we sucked!

I was near by standing between the players race and umpires race, about half way between the fence and the walk way. Stood there from the mid 70s, till near the end of 80s. When the can bar opened, I ended up going there.

[Eastdog]

Staughton Street

Staughton St, Sunshine Granty? I believe just off Duke St which is the border between Braybrook and Sunshine and near Ballarat Rd.

[Grantysghost]

Staughton St, Sunshine Granty? I believe just off Duke St which is the border between Braybrook and Sunshine and near Ballarat Rd.

No West Footscray one of the parallel streets between the ground and the hospital.

I maybe got the name wrong …!

Edit : I did..Stafford st.

[Eastdog]

No West Footscray one of the parallel streets between the ground and the hospital.

I maybe got the name wrong …!

Edit : I did..Stafford st.

Searched it on Maps. Yep Stafford street off Barkly st not far from the ground.

[ratsmac]

Its going to be sad to see the old stand go, but its time to move forward. If we are to remain competitive on and off the field these are the type of steps that we have to take as much as it hurts from a nostalgic pov. Players will want to come if the facilities are cutting edge rather than a shithole. Remember we lost Cooney because we didn't have spongy floors! And I rather enjoy the hope of the prospect that one day we can play AFL H&A games there again, and this is a huge step in achieving that.

Gee its been good to be a bulldog supporter these days.

[bornadog]

Its going to be sad to see the old stand go, but its time to move forward. If we are to remain competitive on and off the field these are the type of steps that we have to take as much as it hurts from a nostalgic pov. Players will want to come if the facilities are cutting edge rather than a shithole. Remember we lost Cooney because we didn't have spongy floors! And I rather enjoy the hope of the prospect that one day we can play AFL H&A games there again, and this is a huge step in achieving that.

Gee its been good to be a bulldog supporter these days.

When we built the current facilities for around $20 million, we had one of the best facilities in the AFL, but as you know times change, and everything needs an upgrade.

I remember when the Whitten stand was being built and it served it'd purpose, but it is not functional underneath.

The new facilities, from the drawings, look fabulous with a huge indoor playing ground where players can actually kick a ball.

[bornadog]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPQrCPGBZ5w&ab_channel=Michael

[Axe Man]

Bulldogs welcome Federal Government funding commitment (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1090080/bulldogs-welcome-federal-government-funding-commitment?fbclid=IwAR3FLSmcb3ST7_6Lw1kJKngasE2tlPoGuFAXbnZx U-SIiQP9N0a3_nQ7bBw)

The Western Bulldogs have today welcomed the Federal Government’s budget commitment of $15 million to enable the Club to deliver its full vision for the redevelopment of its Victoria University Whitten Oval home.

The Federal commitment will not only contribute to extending a new Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Centre, but will also help establish a Women’s Health and Leadership Hub which will become a centre of excellence for the delivery of partnered programs for girls and women throughout western Victoria and beyond.

Both facilities will complement Stage 2 of the Club’s wider redevelopment project which commenced construction earlier this month.

Western Bulldogs President Kylie Watson-Wheeler thanked the Federal Government for supporting the Club’s vision to develop a home for the whole of the community.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Federal Government for their commitment to Melbourne’s west as part of last night’s budget announcement,” she said.

“Our vision, now and into the future, is for VU Whitten Oval to be a place for the community to call home, alleviating social isolation, enhancing connectivity and promoting health and wellbeing.”

Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said the budget commitment was a strong endorsement of the genuine impact the Club makes in the community.

“Our Whitten Oval precinct redevelopment is one of the more ambitious undertakings by an AFL club, and we’re extremely appreciative of the Federal Government for their support of our community ambitions,” he said.

“This important investment ensures we can deliver on the full potential of the precinct, helping bring people together to access social programs and services which can have a real and meaningful impact on the lives of people living in our backyard and beyond.

“As one of the AFLW’s inaugural clubs with such strong female representation across every layer of our business, including at Board level, we’re excited to be investing further into developing programs which break down barriers of disadvantage, and creating pathways into education and increased participation.

The Federal Government’s $15 million commitment into the project brings the full cost of Stage 2 works to $73.9m and complements existing support from the Club, the AFL and the Victorian Government.

The investment will help create an extended permanent home for the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation within a redeveloped John Gent Stand to incorporate facilities and services which expand the Club and Foundation’s community reach, with a focus on health, education, cultural diversity and youth leadership programs.

[bornadog]

Hopefully when Albo comes in he stays with this and even ups the contribution.

[EasternWest]

Hopefully when Albo comes in he stays with this and even ups the contribution.

Please no talk like this. Don't jinx it.

[Grantysghost]

Please no talk like this. Don't jinx it.

The least likely man to be PM ever.

How is Penny Wong not the leader??!

[Mofra]

The least likely man to be PM ever.

How is Penny Wong not the leader??!
She's in the senate, not the House of Reps

[bornadog]

She's in the senate, not the House of Reps

Australians would never vote for a Gay, Female, Asian.

[Grantysghost]

She's in the senate, not the House of Reps

My dad was in a nursing home during Covid and we lost him in that time (first wave).

The way she took down Richard Colbeck during one of those senate inquiry sessions into nursing homes not only had me absolutely in tears, it showed me there are representatives out there that we can relate to.

Colbeck : I've got nothing for that guy.

She's a star.

[Grantysghost]

Australians would never vote for a Gay, Female, Asian.

I'm Australian and I would ! But i understand what you're saying; and it's incredibly unfortunate. She's our best and brightest.

[bornadog]

I'm Australian and I would ! But i understand what you're saying; and it's incredibly unfortunate. She's our best and brightest.

Agree, I think Penny is terrific.

[EasternWest]

Please no talk like this. Don't jinx it.

Sorry I didn't mean to take this down a politics path. I'm ambivalent at best to politicians of all colours, but I don't think I could take three more years of Smirko.

[Grantysghost]

Agree, I think Penny is terrific.

Don't want to go down the political road too far (we've probably already done that) but who represents modern Australia?

Morrison or Wong.

It's a no brainer for me.

Real shame we have to put another ageing white guy with zero charisma up against him.

Governments don't change during crisis, I can't see it happening here.

[Grantysghost]

Sorry I didn't mean to take this down a politics path. I'm ambivalent at best to politicians of all colours, but I don't think I could take three more years of Smirko.

Jeemak trying to get rid of Dunks; you as a political agitator I wonder if you're the same person at times.

[bornadog]

Don't want to go down the political road too far (we've probably already done that) but who represents modern Australia?

Morrison or Wong.

It's a no brainer for me.

Real shame we have to put another ageing white guy with zero charisma up against him.

Governments don't change during crisis, I can't see it happening here.

Albo is a genuine man and will be a great PM.

[bornadog]

Temporary public closure of VU Whitten Oval (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1141464/temporary-public-closure-of-vu-whitten-oval)

VU Whitten Oval will be closed to the public next week, due to important construction works being undertaken as part of the Club’s redevelopment.


The Club’s main reception, Barkers Café and merchandise outlets will be unavailable to the public from Saturday June 4, reopening on Tuesday June 14.


MEMBERSHIP
On Monday June 6 and Tuesday June 7, memberships can be purchased over the phone by calling 1300 GO DOGS.
Membership services will then be offline from Wednesday June 8, reopening on Tuesday June 14.
Membership support is available via email during the closure period, at membership@westernbulldogs.com.au
Memberships can be purchased online at any time, via membership.westernbulldogs.com.au


BULLDOGS SHOP
Bulldogs members and fans can email shop@westernbulldogs.com.au for any general enquiries, or log into their account at shop.westernbulldogs.com.au to view their order status or send a message to the Shop team.
Customers can expect some delays to online order fulfilment, and click & collect services will also be unavailable during this time.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

The club has returned my family’s Whitten Stand plaques not sure what to do with them

[Grantysghost]

The club has returned my family’s Whitten Stand plaques not sure what to do with them

Gee wiz I thought they'd go onto the new seats, or somewhere important.
Hmmm.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

I was hoping for some sort of way to remember our supporters after they passed on

[Grantysghost]

I was hoping for some sort of way to remember our supporters after they passed on

Yes this is pretty poor from the club. Those plaques, or a lot of them were in memoriam.
They should've had top priority to be part of the new facility.

Out of interest are they maybe just returning those older plaques and replacing them with newer ones in the future?

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Not to my knowledge unfortunately

[Grantysghost]

Not to my knowledge unfortunately

Sad Bulldog noises

[jazzadogs]

I don't have a plaque, but that is very disappointing from the club. There is a lot of talk about acknowledging and engaging the fans - but actions like this don't endear the organisations to anyone.

[bornadog]

Out of interest are they maybe just returning those older plaques and replacing them with newer ones in the future?


Not to my knowledge unfortunately


I don't have a plaque, but that is very disappointing from the club. There is a lot of talk about acknowledging and engaging the fans - but actions like this don't endear the organisations to anyone.

I believe there will be something put up in the new facility. I got my plaque back as well.

[bornadog]

ADCO the builder of choice for Bulldogs’ redevelopment (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1159830/adco-the-builder-of-choice-for-bulldogs-redevelopment)

Renowned construction company ADCO Constructions has been tasked as the main works builder for the Western Bulldogs’ highly anticipated redevelopment of the Whitten Oval precinct.


Now in its 50th year of operation, ADCO is one of the oldest and most established builders in Australia, responsible for some of the most impressive sporting club rebuilds in the country.


ADCO has previously worked on major sporting projects including Carlton’s Ikon Park, St Kilda’s Moorabbin redevelopment, Manly Sea Eagles’ Brookvale Oval and the NSW Rugby League’s Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park.


“We are incredibly excited to begin construction at VU Whitten Oval, which is such an important part of the Bulldogs’ heritage,” said ADCO’s Managing Director Neil Harding.


“We can’t wait to foster our partnership with the Bulldogs on this redevelopment project, and we look forward to seeing players, staff and fans and the local community enjoying the finished, world-class facility when complete.”


ADCO will work closely with development management consultants Duo Projects to deliver the expansive build, which is now underway.


Works have begun at the precinct, with the famous Whitten Stand soon to be demolished and rebuilt along with a new high-performance centre and community facility.


With support from the State Government and the Federal Government, the Bulldogs’ home base will be transformed into the centrepiece of Melbourne’s west, a home for an elite sporting club and a commonplace for the community.


“We’re delighted to be working with ADCO in delivering our redevelopment project, and we’re excited to now see the actual work commence,” said Bulldogs’ CEO Ameet Bains.


“ADCO has an impressive history in the construction industry, and we know we’re in good hands. We can’t wait to see the transformation take place and to share this exciting journey with all of our Bulldogs people and community.”

[bornadog]

Update


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z6GwLl9eLQ

[angelopetraglia]

Wow. That looks absolutely amazing. That is inspirational. What a facility. That has to help with retention and attraction.

The largest swimming pools in the league. Tick.
The largest gym in the league. Tick. (Currently the smallest).

[bornadog]

Wow. That looks absolutely amazing. That is inspirational. What a facility. That has to help with retention and attraction.

The largest swimming pools in the league. Tick.
The largest gym in the league. Tick. (Currently the smallest).

Who would have thought many years ago we could develop such a facility.

[angelopetraglia]

Who would have thought many years ago we could develop such a facility.

We can get caught up in the weekly emotional rollercoaster of following the club during the season. But to take a big step back and look at how far the club has come since 1989 is truly astonishing.

-Premiership
-Grand Final appearance
-55K Members
-World Class Facility
-Pioneer of the Woman's Game
-A leading influence in the Western Suburbs
-Prime time airtime consistently in the last decade
-A club that is truly relevant

Most importantly. Zero questions of our future as a club. Not one mention of say, let's move the Bulldogs to Tasmania.

If you thought that was possible in the truly dark times of 1989, I would have told you ... "you are dreaming mate".

[Eastdog]

We can get caught up in the weekly emotional rollercoaster of following the club during the season. But to take a big step back and look at how far the club has come since 1989 is truly astonishing.

-Premiership
-Grand Final appearance
-55K Members
-World Class Facility
-Pioneer of the Woman's Game
-A leading influence in the Western Suburbs
-Prime time airtime consistently in the last decade
-A club that is truly relevant

Most importantly. Zero questions of our future as a club. Not one mention of say, let's move the Bulldogs to Tasmania.

If you thought that was possible in the truly dark times of 1989, I would have told you ... "you are dreaming mate".

Absolutely AP. We have come a long way since that time as a football club. Will be a great facility Whitten Oval once it is all completed.

[azabob]

Thanks for posting the latest video BAD.

What an amazing redevelopment.

Once finished I’d love to somehow snag a tour of the entire facility.

[bornadog]

Thanks for posting the latest video BAD.

What an amazing redevelopment.

Once finished I’d love to somehow snag a tour of the entire facility.

Will be one of the best facilities in AFL, till the next club builds one.

[Hotdog60]

You would think the facility itself would be enough to attract players.

[GVGjr]

Let's hope it's a facility that we can grow into and not grow out of too quickly. We don't need to be doing another lengthy and disruptive redevelopment any time soon.

[The Adelaide Connection]

You would think the facility itself would be enough to attract players.

I’ve heard Cooney is enquiring about the sponginess of the floors and considering taking off his Bombers jumper and coming home.

[EasternWest]

I’ve heard Cooney is enquiring about the sponginess of the floors and considering taking off his Bombers jumper and coming home.

The package is asking about the ages of the reception staff.

[angelopetraglia]

I flew into Melbourne yesterday afternoon. Besides being a bumpy landing with the wind, what stood out was looking down on the western suburbs and what stood out was the Whitten Oval. It looked absolutely glorious from the air. Perfectly mowed green striped turf (looked like an oasis in the urban jungle of the inner west) and the light towers and new structures made the whole precint look awesome.

[angelopetraglia]

Another update before this evenings game. It is looking great https://x.com/westernbulldogs/status/1707569455805698387?s=20

[angelopetraglia]

Here is a longer five minute clip for those interested https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/video/1043405/a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-the-dogs-new-look-fortress?videoId=1043405&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1695931200001&tagNames=AppNewsFeed%3AYes&references=AFL_COMPETITION%3A3&tagNames=AppNewsFeed:Yes&references=AFL_COMPETITION:3

[bornadog]

Facilities are looking fantastic. How good is the indoor playing area.

[angelopetraglia]

Facilities are looking fantastic. How good is the indoor playing area.

Looks absolutely amazing.

[Grantysghost]

Facilities are looking fantastic. How good is the indoor playing area.

Who's going to be the first one to put a hole in the roof trying to hit it with a nice torp?

[FrediKanoute]

Who's going to be the first one to put a hole in the roof trying to hit it with a nice torp?

Jamarra - will launch a bomb!

[1eyedog]

It has a full ceiling net. Walked through it tonight. Spacious.

[Eastdog]

Will have to check it out but sounds like it’s great. The lights look good driving past.