Plans to redevelop Ford Park to AFL regional standard get kick along

A PROPOSED redevelopment of Bellfield’s worn-out Ford Park would transform it into a ground which meets AFL regional venue level status.

Underused and worn-out Ford Park in Ivanhoe. Picture: Hamish Blair

A PROPOSED redevelopment of worn-out Ford Park would transform its two current ovals into a ground which meets AFL regional venue level status.

A draft infrastructure study is looking at turning under-used land in Bellfield into Banyule’s best football ground.

Regional level venues are often used by metropolitan and country football leagues for talent squad training and finals matches.

Ford Park, Ivanhoe. Picture: Hamish Blair

The upgrade would tear down the pavilion and replace it with a two-storey grandstand. Coaches boxes, a permanent scoreboard and lux lighting would also be installed.

Both the Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) and the Yarra Junior Football League have expressed interest in being relocated to the venue.

NFNL president Rick Thompson said the club would love to see the park redeveloped. “We have an affiliation with the West Ivanhoe junior teams down the road and we could both become permanent tenants,” he said.

Banyule councillor Craig Langdon also suggested the field could be used to support women’s footy in the region.

“Women’s football is certainly growing and it would be a huge achievement if we can get it based in Ford Park,” he said.

Nearby resident Brian Grace suggested the plans would be better if they focused on more than just Australian football and it was developed to suit a variety of sports.

The council has indicated it will seek funding from the AFL and State Government to help fund the major project.

Cr Langdon also suggested that the oval could be increasingly important as Bulleen Park ovals were threatened by development of the North East Link.