Whitten Oval Redevelopment Plans (UPDATE: No AFL Games)

[BallaratBulldog]

Any time I see an update, i’m like “I want it now”. Even though i’m not a player it will be good watching.

 

[dogwatch]

An update (verdant):

This is taking so lo-o-o-o-ng.

It's like watching grass grow.

 

[geoffjennings79]

The traditionalist and sentimentalist in me hates that the old shape is gone. Oh well, 3-4 flags will make me see the light!

 

[Oliver G]

I know I'm biased but I believe this will be the premier suburban venue for spectators in the AFLW and VFL going forward. Princes Park might be bigger but it just feels strange with half the ground essentially off-limits as well as the new facility not fitting in well with the older grandstands.

With the WO redevelopment, you can walk around the entire oval, it has a train station and the design feels like it's utilising the space better.

 

[_Cerberus_]

What was the pre development capacity for spectators with the old grand stand and ground? And will the new development / stand result in a increased capacity, or will it be around the same?

Will be nice to have more numbers there for a greater atmosphere, and financial reasons.

 

[Freshwater]

The traditionalist and sentimentalist in me hates that the old shape is gone. Oh well, 3-4 flags will make me see the light!

The old shape was similar to Geelong’s which I don’t think is as good for football as the MCG/docklands length and width somewhere between the two.

 

[Oliver G]

What was the pre development capacity for spectators with the old grand stand and ground? And will the new development / stand result in a increased capacity, or will it be around the same?

Will be nice to have more numbers there for a greater atmosphere, and financial reasons.

Capacity will remain the same at approx 10,000 but with better facilities for sitting and standing on the Hawkins wing side, similar to what's been done at Eureka Stadium.

Incidentally, the first of four broadcast-quality towers was raised this week. Would've got great odds in 1989 for WO having broadcast quality lights one day.

 

[GetDimmaBack]

Capacity will remain the same at approx 10,000 but with better facilities for sitting and standing on the Hawkins wing side, similar to what's been done at Eureka Stadium.

Incidentally, the first of four broadcast-quality towers was raised this week. Would've got great odds in 1989 for WO having broadcast quality lights one day.

Drove over Mt Mistake a couple of days ago and I was impressed at how it's shaping up.
As you say, Ollie, it's a world away from the old days of the Gent Stand and the Cowshed.

 

[RWB_Threads]

First tower now up (they're huge), good progress being made on the Whitten Stand. Roof going up on the indoor training field.

 

[Oliver G]

Two of the four towers are now up and construction of the Whitten Stand is now well underway...

 

[Charlie Bucket]

Two of the four towers are now up and construction of the Whitten Stand is now well underway...

When are we back training at WO?

Was meant to be end of March. Now in to May.

 

[RWB_Threads]

When are we back training at WO?

Was meant to be end of March. Now in to May.

Hmmmm the plan locals got mailed to them in August has said they'd be back training by June.

 

[Oliver G]

When are we back training at WO?

Was meant to be end of March. Now in to May.

May/June has been the approx date for a while now but from what I can tell the surface should be ready at the end of the month (weather permitting). The latest I've heard is that we are planning to host AFLW matches at WO for the upcoming season starting in September and there is a possibility of hosting some late season VFL games as well.

 

[Pugz89]

Two of the four towers are now up and construction of the Whitten Stand is now well underway...

Oval looks bigger, but could just be coz its without markings. Looks elite though!

 

[RWB_Threads]

Oval looks bigger, but could just be coz its without markings. Looks elite though!

They’ve definitely made it wider (and higher) as you can see from this photo taken on Gordon Street a few weeks back. It’s a lot closer to the fence and there was a decent sized hill pre-redevelopment but not it’s almost level with the hill.

 

[Charlie Bucket]

Hmmmm the plan locals got mailed to them in August has said they'd be back training by June.

View attachment 1675808

May/June has been the approx date for a while now but from what I can tell the surface should be ready at the end of the month (weather permitting). The latest I've heard is that we are planning to host AFLW matches at WO for the upcoming season starting in September and there is a possibility of hosting some late season VFL games as well.

I thought I read something a while back it was March. Must’ve been mistaken.

 

[VitalDread]

It's a warm sight seeing the light tower from my place

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Pool(s) Sauna(s) Light Tower(s) Indoor training field. And In really exciting news. Askin Panels!

oh, and an imminent return to training at W.O.

 

[Oliver G]

I've also had confirmation that we will host AFLW games this season at WO but the ground won't be ready in time to host any of the remainder VFL or VFLW home fixtures.

 

[MYOB]

I've also had confirmation that we will host AFLW games this season at WO but the ground won't be ready in time to host any of the remainder VFL or VFLW home fixtures.

What sort of crowd capacity?

 

[Oliver G]

What sort of crowd capacity?

Not sure what it will be like for this upcoming season I suspect spectators will only be allowed in the Doug Hawkins Wing and the Cross St areas but once completed the capacity will be approximately as it was prior to the redevelopment at around 10k-11k.

 

[blagodellago]

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[blagodellago]

On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[blagodellago]

On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[blagodellago]

On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app