Hawthorn agree to million-dollar land purchase in Dingley for new super headquarters
HAWTHORN has agreed to buy land at Dingley for $7.75 million as plans for a $50m Hawks super headquarters passed a critical hurdle.
Hawthorn
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HAWTHORN has agreed to buy land at Dingley for $7.75 million as plans for a $50m Hawks super headquarters passed a critical hurdle.
The AFL powerhouse decided to put the money down after an exhaustive 18-month environmental assessment cleared the 28ha former landfill site.
The Hawks advised members of their intention to secure the plot on Tootal Rd at their annual general meeting on Thursday night.
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The club will soon start raising money for the venture that will deliver Alastair Clarkson’s men an MCG-sized training oval, rehabilitation and aquatic centres, a huge indoor training space, a running track and expanded fan and community facilities.
Hawthorn players helped design the new base after a trip to overseas clubs including soccer giants Arsenal and Tottenham and NFL team the New York Jets.
Hawks chief executive Stuart Fox said the Dingley site had enormous potential for club and community.
“It is a bold vision but we are planning for the next 100 years and beyond for this club, and a lot of it is about being the destination club,” Fox told the Herald Sun.
“Yes we want an elite training and administration facility.
“But the club is also conscious that it wants to create a real hub for its members and fans, with better access to training, ample car parking and better facilities for people to come and engage with our club.
“We completed a feasibility study of Waverley and determined that this site was not going to be capable for our future long-term needs.
“It is adequate now and serving is well, but longer term it probably doesn’t.”
The Dingley land is 23km from Melbourne’s CBD.
Designs for the base reveal a stunning entrance featuring statues of club legends including John Kennedy Sr. The members’ forecourt would house a new museum and retail outlet.
It is estimated the new home will cost about $50 million and will be constructed within five to 10 years. Planning permits from the City of Kingston have been secured.
The Hawks will retain control of Waverley but had outgrown its traditional home and were frustrated by the lack of car parking and shared facilities for its 70,000 members.
Waverley’s training facilities had also fallen behind rivals.
The Hawks will pay for the Dingley property using money raised by the Hawthorn Foundation.
Fox said the club faced a big challenge raising the rest of the funds.
“We are realistic about the financial challenges we will need to overcome before our vision of a world-class facility becomes a reality, and as such we have taken a long-term view,” he said. “We understand this is the largest project that the club has ever undertaken and we will envisage it will take at least five to 10 years to deliver.”
It was announced that acting president Richard Garvey had also been re-elected for the next three years.
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