Whitten Oval Redevelopment
The Western Bulldogs unveiled a $150 million masterplan in mid-2019 to redevelop Whitten Oval and see the return of lower-drawing AFL games to the Footscray venue. Plans include boosting the ground’s capacity to 18,000 with increased seating, the demolition and rebuilding of the EJ Whitten Stand, broadcast-quality lighting, an indoor training field and convention centre.
Stage two plans were revealed in November 2020. Features of this phase of the upgrade include the construction of a new three-level 1500-seat EJ Whitten Stand to replace the existing grandstand, including new change rooms and function space overlooking the ground, plus new broadcast-quality lighting.
The playing field will be resurfaced, re-sized and regraded, while the berms and terracing on the eastern and southern side of the ground will be improved and regraded. A new match day pavilion will also be constructed, providing permanent food and beverage and public toilets.
The existing foyer will be refurbished, and a new club museum built, while the existing advanced performance centre will be expanded, with new player and staff parking added behind it.
Part two of the works include relocation and integration of the AFLW change room facilities, a new indoor training field, additional landscaping works and a translucent canopy on the western façade.
