Demons’ grand plan for Yarra Park training ground revealed
MELBOURNE Football Club has pitched a bold plan to build a new headquarters and training ground on Yarra Park. The plan to take over a prized parcel of parkland - plus build a six-storey centre over train tracks - could meet opposition from locals. Full details revealed.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MELBOURNE Football Club has pitched a plan to build a new headquarters next to the MCG, with a training ground on Yarra Park.
The Herald Sun can reveal the Demons are eyeing a prized parcel of parkland, in the northeastern corner of the MCG precinct, for a full-sized football oval.
The bold proposal would also see a six-storey complex boasting an office wing, a world-class gym and medical facilities, built on top of rail tracks next to Jolimont Station.
ARE DEMONS READY TO CHALLENGE FOR FLAG IN 2018?
MELBOURNE SNARES MAJOR ESPORTS COUP
HOW TO COMPLETE THE SUPERCOACH PUZZLE
An apartment block is expected to be developed next to the new HQ.
The state government confirmed yesterday it was in talks with the Demons about the potential development of Yarra Park and VicTrack land to accommodate a dedicated new home for football’s oldest club.
No formal decision has been made on the plan, but a government spokesman said: “Melbourne is the sports capital of Australia. We’re always happy to talk to organisations about how we can make our great sporting precincts even better.”
Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson told the Herald Sun: “The club is looking at a number of options for its future training and administration facilities, and this is one of them.”
The MCG Trust parkland is currently used for AFL game-day parking, though parking capacity is expected to be reduced in coming years to help bolster security in the precinct.
Moving parking away from the stadium is understood to have support from many stakeholders and safety advisers, who argue it would create a “buffer zone” between queuing fans and vehicles.
It is understood the proposed Yarra Park football oval would be available for community use outside of Melbourne’s training sessions.
The new training base would be a massive coup for the club, as it looks to bring its football and administrative staff under one roof in the city’s heartland.
Melbourne president Glen Bartlett said it was an exciting venture for the club.
“The MCG has always been our home and there are obviously some sensitivities and people going forward will need to be worked with around a range of concepts,” Bartlett said on Triple M.
“But there is a need in footy generally for more ovals and more community space.
“There is not a lot of footy grounds, particularly in the Melbourne park precinct, for kids to go and have a kick on.
“It’s a real stretch with women’s footy and the growth of the game, so we need to think about that.
“But we would not be looking to build a fenced-off compound, or doing anything that is not going to fit-in with the community and enhance that space and give the area a real lift.”
Melbourne would have to pay for the bulk of the development, but it would be contentious, with some locals certain to oppose a handover of inner city parkland.
The Demons are currently split between the MCG and AAMI Park, which they share as a training base with three other clubs — Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Rebels and Melbourne Victory.
Melbourne has trained at AAMI Park since 2010, but has outgrown the facility and wants to provide elite new equipment for its men’s and women’s football teams.
The club says the new training base and club HQ would help secure its future for the next 50 years, and provide elite facilities for the state’s best young footballers.
While the Demons have identified several possible sites for a new home, including a wedge of land next to Gosch’s Paddock, the Herald Sun understands the Yarra Park site is the preferred option.
The club hopes to lock away a venue for its new training base this year and start building as soon as possible. It is understood that the club approached the government with the Jolimont/Yarra Park plan following the announcement of Daniel Andrews’ sports funding bonanza, to include a $225 million upgrade of Etihad Stadium and another $242 million for community facilities.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the move would “enhance the parklands” and potentially provide a running track around the proposed oval for inner-city community use.
McGuire said the facility would also be safe and well-lit for morning and evening joggers.
“The first thing people will say is ‘you can’t build something in parklands’, and you’ve got to take that on board because it is a beautiful park and beautiful to walk around in a natural area,” McGuire said on Triple M.
“But this is the opportunity to bring things together and not just look at it as a free-kick to the Melbourne Football Club or say ‘bloody AFL are stealing the parklands’.
“No they’re not, they’re going to enhance the parklands and make it more open for respectful for people to work out (and run around)
“You can put the facilities in to use at elite sports level and that means you can have a constant budget to keep it up-to-date and fresh and brand new for the whole community to use.
“It is a fantastic initiative.”
McGuire said the proposal would also help cover “the dirty old railway tracks” and provide more medical facilities for inner-city residents and workers.
“We are a growing city, and there have been more people moving into that area in flats and accommodation and will continue to,” McGuire said.
“You need more facilities in and Jolimont Station is another area which needs to be developed up.
“You light it up, you put facilities in for sports medicine and medicine in general and people can use it day and night and do it safely.
“And that way you turn something that is pretty good at the moment into something that is absolutely sensational.
“Whether Melbourne do it or not, we should do it anyway.”
Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne, Essendon, Carlton and St Kilda, which all host games at Etihad, will all get better deals under the upgrade.
An agreement between the AFL and the Andrews Government will also pave the way for Melbourne Cricket Club to embark on a $1 billion redevelopment of the MCG’s Great Southern Stand in a decade.
Join the conversation
‘Embarrassing’: AFL legend torches club
Garry Lyon has turned a flamethrower on an AFL club over a “dog’s breakfast” situation that has blown up in its face.
Read more
Cats, Dogs at loggerheads over Smith trade
Geelong has no qualms sending its first-round pick up the highway for Bailey Smith, but the Bulldogs are keen for more. Catch all of Monday’s trade news here.
Read more