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Windy Hill, the traditional home of AFL club Essendon Football Club will receive key upgrades with a focus on the women’s game and community sport.

The project will see Windy Hill undergo its first major renovation in more than 20 years and will be completed over the next two years, thanks to an agreement between the club and the AFL.

Improved home and opposition changerooms, umpire facilities, crowd amenities and spectator safety will be at the forefront for the project, continuing Essendon’s push to establish Windy Hill as a premium AFLW destination, an industry and community asset.

The upgrades will breathe new life into the tired venue, with a $50 million major redevelopment of the ground proposed in 2021 having been shelved by the club.

Announcing the program, Essendon Chief Executive, Craig Vozzo stated “Windy Hill is such a huge part of our club’s history, but it also holds a special place in the hearts, minds and memories of the local community and wider football industry.

"This is a commitment by the club and the AFL in developing these facilities to support the success of our AFLW team, as well as deliver a facility that actively promotes and provides an important opportunity for the fans and the broader community to engage with our game.

"Our ambition is for Windy Hill to become a premium venue for Australian rules football in Victoria and this investment will allow us to address urgent match-day needs but also start our vision towards a masterplan for the precinct.

"Windy Hill means a lot to people, and it’s got great scope to continue to grow as an AFLW venue and an industry venue. We are excited and committed to working with the other stakeholders to commence this process to achieve this vision.”

Windy Hill has attracted average AFLW crowds of 3,373 this season - the highest of any Victorian venue - including 4,336 last Sunday which is the largest crowd for the Bombers at the ground since 1991 when it hosted its final AFL game.

The club’s training and administration headquarters will continue to be based at The Hangar near the Melbourne Airport.

Windy Hill Precinct Development - Stage 1

• Home Change Rooms (Wet Area Upgrade and Extra Community Changerooms)
• Opposition Changerooms (1 AFL, 1 Community)
• AFL Standard benches and Umpire facilities

Image: Windy Hill. Credit: Windy Hill Fitness Centre.

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