Hawthorn Football Club lodged a planning application for its potential new home in Dingley today.
The planning application is part of the club’s due diligence process for the site and outlines the club’s proposed use of the 28 hectares.
Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox said the club is focused on establishing the club’s key vision, to be the destination club, through the development of an elite sporting and community facility.
“The Dingley development is a very significant project for the future of our club and its members,” Fox said.
“The planning application is one of many steps in a comprehensive due diligence process, which will ensure the site can fulfil all the needs of the club for the next 100+ years.
“The next 12 months will be crucial in terms of thoroughly investigating the site, from a planning and environmental point of view, and to determine if the site is capable of housing a world-class training and administration facility that can attract the best players, coaches and staff.
“Furthermore, the site must allow our members to feel part of the club and to create a destination that is accessible to all. Our present facility is not conducive to this requirement, which we regard as fundamental to aligning with our values as the family club.
“This has been a very thorough and comprehensive process to date. We are six months into the due diligence process which is expected to be finalised in late 2016. At the end of this process the club will make an informed decision on the future of the facility and site.
“We plan to keep members, Hawthorn supporters and fans informed at every stage of this journey.”
A feasibility study was undertaken on Waverley Park and there were a number of limitations, including restrictions on any future expansion, growth and development.
As a result the club explored several options for an alternate site and put a conditional offer to purchase a green field site in Dingley earlier this year.
Under the conditional contract of sale, the club has 18 months to conduct further due diligence on the sites suitability as a long term base, before making a final decision to proceed with the purchase.
This decision was made following an extensive process that has included consultation with the Board, leadership group, coaching and management staff; an overseas study tour and the investigation of potential alternative sites throughout Melbourne’s south eastern corridor.
The club’s aim is to develop a world-class training and administrative facility that provides greater prospects for member interaction, community engagement and future expansion.
Any potential development would be a five to ten year undertaking.
An indicative site plan and artistic impression are attached that were submitted as part of the planning application.
