$50 million Windy Hill plan revealed

Essendon has announced a $50m Windy Hill redevelopment. See what the Bomber’s heartland will now be used for.

VFLW Players: Eloise Ashley-Cooper (#8) and Alex Morcom (#21) with Mitchell McCarthy (L) and Alex McCarthy (R) from Essendon Bowls Club Photographer: Daniel Pockett

Essendon Football Club will announce a bold vision to transform its spiritual Windy Hill home into an “unmatched’’ Victorian female footy and community sport precinct.

A $50 million plan for the prime Essendon site and stage of some of the club’s most famous moments will be announced on Monday, including opening the precinct to the public.

Windy Hill – Essendon’s home from 1922 to 2013 — will undergo a significant facelift under the plan including demolition of a grandstand and relocation of a pokies and bistro venue.

A new multipurpose community centre, synthetic running track, children’s playgrounds, light towers so matches can be played and broadcast at night, cafe and parklands form part of the blueprint.

An artists impression of the $50 million redevelopment proposed for Essendon’s iconic Windy Hill Oval., Credit: Jackson Architecture

An artists impression of the $50 million redevelopment proposed for Essendon’s iconic Windy Hill Oval., Credit: Jackson Architecture

Plans to move existing cricket and bowls clubs from the site will also be announced, to make way for recreation areas and increased community football training space.

Essendon president Paul Brasher said the revamp would deliver “a premium venue for girls and women’s football that is unmatched in our state.”

It would also make better community use of an oval once dominated by the likes of Bombers greats John Coleman, Dick Reynolds and Tim Watson and adored by the club’s 81,662 members.

“The current tired and constrained facilities do not do justice to their importance to the community or meet their future needs,’’ Mr Brasher said.

“We are determined to ensure that the project delivers a far superior outcome.’’

The Herald Sun can reveal Windy Hill will be reshaped, expanded and resurfaced to become the match-day home of Essendon’s AFLW, VFLW and VFL teams and elite junior Victorian footy programs.

Grandstands will be refurbished to enhance the spectator experience, new digital scoreboards constructed and four unisex change rooms installed.

An artists impression of the $50 million redevelopment proposed for Essendon’s iconic Windy Hill Oval., Credit: Jackson Architecture

An artists impression of the $50 million redevelopment proposed for Essendon’s iconic Windy Hill Oval., Credit: Jackson Architecture

Moonee Valley Council mayor Samantha Byrne said it was a “a once in a generation opportunity’’ and “a wonderful opportunity to increase access for the growing number of female football players.’’

“While the Windy Hill grounds have been a prominent sporting location for more than a century, the facilities are tired and a new vision and life for the reserve is needed,’’ she said.

The council will scout improved facilities offsite for the Essendon Cricket and Bowls Clubs to make way for the project, with state and federal government funding to be sought.

A $30 million first phase would open year-round for community football, with refurbished social and function areas, accessible recreation space and grandstand upgrades.

The W.H. Cookson Stand would be demolished and fences removed to the public, with the R.S. Reynolds and Alan T. Hird Stands retained.

A new home would be sought for the Victorian Premier Cricket club that has called Windy Hill home since 1872.

An artists impression of the $50 million redevelopment proposed for Essendon’s iconic Windy Hill Oval., Credit: Jackson Architecture

An artists impression of the $50 million redevelopment proposed for Essendon’s iconic Windy Hill Oval., Credit: Jackson Architecture

An artists impression of the $50 million redevelopment proposed for Essendon’s iconic Windy Hill Oval., Credit: Jackson Architecture

Windy Hill social venue moved and improved admin offices created for the Essendon and District Football League.

The second, more than $20 million phase, would build the Windy Hill Community Sports Centre, outdoor play areas, cafe, training track and moving the bowls club.

Essendon Cricket Club president Simon Tobin said it would work “in good faith’’ to explore all options regarding the redevelopment of Windy Hill, including moving to an alternative site.

Essendon Bowls Club committee member Rob Blachford said it was “an exciting vision for the regeneration of Windy Hill”.

“If achieved, this exciting vision with the development of a much-needed new state-of the-art bowls centre, will not only create significantly improved outcomes for bowlers, but also free-up valuable space at Windy Hill,’’ he said.

Construction would start late next year, with the first stage completed in time for the 2024 AFLW season.