Essendon has reportedly confirmed upgrades to its ancestral home at Windy Hill, signing a multimillion-dollar funding agreement with the AFL.
In what will be its first major renovation in over 25 years, the Bombers are set to lock in the future of the AFLW, VFL, VFLW and community facility, the club signing a one-off deal last week that will see redevelopment works completed over the next two years.
It will see change rooms, spectator facilities, new player bench and umpire areas undergo a much-needed revamp.
The AFL men's team will remain at the "Hangar", which is located near Melbourne Airport.
Essendon chief executive Craig Vozzo revealed the $4 million upgrade to the Herald Sun, saying the new improvements will benefit the women's side.
“We're really keen now to take the next steps in terms of the future of Windy Hill,'" Vozzo said.
"It's obviously been a critically important facility to the Essendon footy club in terms of all the great moments and history down there but also the wider Essendon community.
“It means a lot to people, and it's got great scope to continue grow as an AFLW venue and also an industry venue.
“Hopefully, we're seeing more tier two and three football there apart from EDFL, perhaps Coates League might be another thing that can take place there as well for boys and girls.''
Vozzo added that the 2021 plans handed down by the previous Essendon administration were scrapped, declaring Windy Hill will continue to be improved upon.
“We need to be realistic on what we can deliver, remembering that our training and admin facility and base is at Tullamarine, so from our point of view, it's the next iteration of what Windy Hill can be,'' Vozzo continued.
“And hopefully, once we finish this aspect, we will start planning the right way what the next iteration looks like.''
Home and away team change rooms and wet areas, a new community change room, grandstand improvements and shade will be added in the first stage of works, to begin in the next four months, according to the Herald Sun.
“This is the first step, I think, in probably 25-plus years of being able to deliver some substantial capital improvement to the facility,'' Vozzo said.
“What we've been able to secure is a partnership now with the AFL, which we've agreed upon last week, which will see us spend a significant amount of money down there improving various things.''