WYNDHAM could bid to host A-League soccer, Big Bash cricket and Super Rugby practice matches under a proposed multimillion-dollar redevelopment of Chirnside Park oval.
Already home to VFL side Werribee Tigers, the venue would expand to provide extra space for other community sporting groups and associations, possibly including the Western Regional Football League.
While one option, with an estimated cost of more than $8 million, almost doubles the amount of floor space available, the council’s preferred $5 million option increases it only by about 25 per cent.
Councillors last week voted to assess the viability of both options and seek funding needed for the project to go ahead.
A report stated more than $2 million had been spent on improvements to ground facilities, including lighting, landscaping and a new electronic scoreboard, in the past five years. Other facilities had received little or no attention.
Werribee Football Club operations manager Stuart Balloch said the redevelopment was crucial in its efforts to compete with AFL clubs Geelong and Collingwood, which both field standalone VFL teams. “To attract and retain players against these sort of clubs, we need to have the best resources possible.”
The report, and a separate football and cricket strategy, recommended the relocation of cricket from the oval to a purpose-built facility as part of any redevelopment. Werribee Cricket Club president Ivo Havard said the club was “fully supportive” of the redevelopment and would continue discussions with the council about its future.
The report stated there would be further investigation on developing Chirnside Park into a community hub or a venue for academy-based youth sports programs.
