Hawthorn sells Waverley Park headquarters to the AFL ahead of Dingley move

Hawthorn and the AFL have agreed to terms on a deal that will see the league own Waverley Park — and the Hawks will be well compensated. See the details here.

AFL umpires have not had Waverley Park floated as a prospective home as the league on Tuesday closed its deal to buy the historic stadium from Hawthorn.

But the umpiring association is keen to hear of the league’s plans for the eastern suburbs facility.

The league agreed to terms on a deal with Hawthorn – worth between $10 and $20 million, with the ground having been purchased for just $1 as a vacant facility in 2004 – with the Hawks set to move to their new base at Dingley later this year.

The AFL has bought Waverley Park. Picture: Mark Stewart

The grandstand, training facility and administration base could potentially house junior pathway programs, or even provide a back-up facility for other clubs if there was a need for such a scenario.

Women’s or VFL games could potentially be played at the venue, and with grounds at a premium across the country, maintaining ownership of the facility considered important.

Hawthorn president Andy Gowers confirmed the sale in a letter to Hawks members at 11am on Tuesday.

“A lot has been happening behind the scenes regarding the sale of Bunjil Bagora, Waverley Park, and after we first told you it had been put on the market earlier this year, we can now inform you that the club has proceeded with the sale of the facility,” he wrote.

“A huge amount of work has gone into achieving this result, with several parties interested.

“Ultimately, the AFL emerged as the best buyer, meaning that Bunjil Bagora, Waverley Park will remain in the hands of the football community. This is a terrific result for the cultural preservation of the oval and facility, which I’m sure a lot of Hawthorn members and fans will be pleased with.

“Additionally, the sale of this facility now sets the club up in a very strong position to make its move uninhibited to Dingley.”

Hawthorn fans pack out the training ground before the 2015 grand final. Picture: Jason Edwards

The grandstand, training facility and administration base could potentially house junior pathway programs, or even provide a back-up facility for other clubs if there was a need for such a scenario.

Women’s or VFL games could potentially be played at the venue, and with grounds at a premium across the country, maintaining ownership of the facility considered important.

Hawthorn president Andy Gowers confirmed the sale in a letter to Hawks members at 11am on Tuesday.

“A lot has been happening behind the scenes regarding the sale of Bunjil Bagora, Waverley Park, and after we first told you it had been put on the market earlier this year, we can now inform you that the club has proceeded with the sale of the facility,” he wrote.

“A huge amount of work has gone into achieving this result, with several parties interested.

“Ultimately, the AFL emerged as the best buyer, meaning that Bunjil Bagora, Waverley Park will remain in the hands of the football community. This is a terrific result for the cultural preservation of the oval and facility, which I’m sure a lot of Hawthorn members and fans will be pleased with.

“Additionally, the sale of this facility now sets the club up in a very strong position to make its move uninhibited to Dingley.”

The Hawks will soon move to Dingley. Picture: Tony Gough

“Waverley Park has had a long history in footy, being the first venue to be designed and built specifically for Australian rules football,” league chief executive Andrew Dillon said.

“The purchase of the ground and facilities is a rare and timely solution that will help with our talent pathways programs, community footy, and umpire development and programs, all of which will now be worked through with the relevant stakeholders.

“The AFL has targeted having 10 million attendees at AFL/AFLW games, events, and festivals, two million AFL club members and one million participants and in order to achieve the target for participation we need two ovals a week every week for the next five years.

“We are always looking for green space so we can continue to expand the playing fields we need to accommodate the strong national growth in people playing our game.

“I would like to thank AFL EGM Matthew Chun, Hawthorn CEO Ash Klein and COO Jacob Attwood and the team at Colliers for facilitating this deal that keeps an iconic footy venue in our ecosystem.”

Originally published as Hawthorn sells Waverley Park headquarters to the AFL ahead of Dingley move