AusLeisure

The $11.75 redevelopment of Chirnside Park, home of the Werribee Football Club, has been officially opened.

The sporting precinct includes a a new two-storey pavilion and the construction of three grandstands with 498 seats.

In addition to hosting Werribee FC games in the VFL, the venue will support AFL participation programs run by the North Melbourne Football Club.

Opened last month by Federal Minister for Sport Bridget McKenzie, the venue has already hosted a range of fixtures, with regular season VFL games commencing on 14th April when Werribee played Casey.

Speaking at the opening, Senator McKenzie advised “this is a fantastic new hub that will encourage the next generation of footy stars through development programs for junior, multicultural and female participants.

“I am proud to be part of a Government which is committed to supporting projects like this to encourage people to maintain active and healthy lifestyles.

“It’s not just a way to stay healthy, but it’s a good investment too. For every $1 invested in Australian sport and physical activity there is an estimated $7 return to the economy.

“This hub builds on that foundation. It will support North Melbourne community programs aimed at engaging with developing children, women, people with disabilities and multicultural communities by focusing on education, social inclusion and capacity building.”

Wyndham Mayor Peter Maynard also stated “the North Melbourne Football Club will be able to deliver programs from this new facility with The Huddle, while it will also be a base for AFL and cricket pathway programs and … host finals and other major sporting events.

“I’m sure the Werribee Football Club and the Werribee Cricket Club will be proud to call Chirnside Park home, while it will also serve as a fantastic hub for the entire community in the heart of Werribee.

“(This project) was a massive undertaking that saw the Australian, local and state governments, the Werribee Football Club, the AFL, and AFL Victoria all come together to turn a vision into reality.

 “We now have a facility that will be a community meeting place we can be proud of for generations to come.”

The $11.75 million project was jointly funded by the Federal Government ($3.25 million), the Victorian Government ($1.5 million), Wyndham City Council ($5.5 million), the Werribee Football Club ($1 million), the Australian Football League ($250,000), and the Australian Football League Victoria ($250,000).

Work on the project began in September 2016 and was completed in March.

Werribee Football Club Chief Executive Mark Penaluna added that the new facilities were among the best in the VFL and included gymnasiums, spa facilities, a warm-up area, doctors’ rooms, training rooms, a coaches’ address room, showers and lockers.

The development also includes a function room - available for community use and event hire - facilities for women’s AFL, a commercial kitchen and kiosk, a multi-purpose social meeting room, community spaces and improved car parking. 

Images: New facilities at Chirnside Park (top) and their recent official opening by Federal Minister for Sport Bridget McKenzie (sport).

14th April 2018 - COMMUNITY SPORT TO BENEFIT FROM NEW VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT FUNDING

27th September 2017 - AFLW CONFIRM FURTHER EXPANSION PLANS OVER NEXT TWO YEARS 

15th April 2015 - SGL FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND BUSINESS PLANS DELIVER INCREASED FUNDING SUPPORT 

3rd March 2015 - RESEARCH REVEALS THE SOCIAL VALUE OF A FOOTBALL CLUB

16th October 2014 - WYNDHAM’S WESTERN LEISURE SERVICES MAKES KEY APPOINTMENTS AND LOOKS TO RECRUIT

28th January 2014 - WORK STARTS ON $47.2 MILLION WERRIBEE SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTRE EXPANSION 

22nd March 2013 - MORE TO AFL SUPPORTERS THAN FOOTY 

24th November 2012 - FOUR NEW DIRECTORS AT VICSPORT

8th October 2012 - GEMBA TO COMPLETE MOORABBIN OVAL FOOTBALL HUB FEASIBILITY STUDY

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.