‘A huge opportunity’: Western Bulldogs find second home at Skinner Reserve

[Grantysghost]

‘A huge opportunity’: Western Bulldogs find second home at Skinner Reserve
(https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/a-huge-opportunity-western-bulldogs-find-second-home-at-skinner-reserve-20210420-p57kof.html)
By Rachel Eddie

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Maribyrnong mayor Michael Clarke at Skinner Reserve, Braybrook

The Western Bulldogs will move into a second home at Skinner Reserve in Melbourne’s western suburbs as part of a $3 million partnership with the local council.
Maribyrnong Council on Tuesday night voted to revamp the run-down reserve in Braybrook, allowing the AFL club to use the space for about 12 hours of training a week.

The grass will be upgraded to replicate the oval at Marvel Stadium, and the redevelopment will add fencing, interchange benches, a two-lane running track, lighting, AFL-standard goalposts with protective netting, and improved spectator amenities.

The council and the Western Bulldogs will each pay $1.5 million towards the redevelopment and put $50,000 a year into its maintenance.

Maribyrnong mayor Michael Clarke said an upgrade was well overdue and the partnership allowed for a better revamp than the council could afford on its own.

Consultations found most residents supported teaming up with the football club, which approached the council early last year in need of a second training ground.

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An artist’s impression of the upgraded facility in Melbourne’s western suburbs.Credit:Maribyrnong Council

From the start of the the 2022 season the Doggies will use Skinner Reserve three days a week between 4pm and 8pm, and occasionally for three hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Community sporting clubs will be able to train there two nights a week and compete on the weekend, using the space 20 to 25 hours a week.

The grounds will be open to the broader community the rest of the week, and a community reference group will be established.

Kingsville Cricket Club has agreed in principle to move from Skinner Reserve to Dobson Reserve, which will have its own $3-$4 million upgrade, by September.

Braybrook United and Maribyrnong Greens soccer clubs also use Skinner Reserve and have agreed in principle to the redevelopment.

The grounds will be able to sustain up to 35 hours a week of organised sport, on top of casual use – more than double the 10 to 15 hours it can currently maintain.

Cr Clarke said he expected the Bulldogs to engage with the community and bring a massive social benefit to the disadvantaged area.

“It’s not just an opportunity for the Dogs to train. This has incredibly profound social implications for what has been historically a highly disadvantaged community,” he said.


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An artist’s impression of the floodlit oval.Credit:Maribyrnong Council

“We’re very clear that this is a huge opportunity and we will look to orchestrate clear community engagement opportunities. It won’t just be, ‘Oh there goes Marcus [Bontempelli].’ ”
The majority of residents who took part in consultations, 34 of 49 respondents, said they supported the Bulldogs using Skinner Reserve.

Those who disapproved were less likely to live in Braybrook, saying the reserve should stay in community hands.


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(https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/while-the-dogs-are-away-the-locals-can-play-after-club-reopens-oval-20200717-p55d1e.html)


Skinner Reserve has a long football history. Former player Doug Hawkins (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/282884/bulldog-icons-doug-hawkins) grew up in Braybrook and played on the grounds.

“That’s what makes it the heart of Braybrook, its history,” Cr Clarke said.

Braybrook’s population is expected to grow by 42.3 per cent to 14,467 by 2041. The suburb has a high number of public housing residents, low-income earners and poor public health, a report by council officers said.

“Officers view this as an opportunity to improve an ageing facility in need of repair, to a high-quality facility available to all community members, in a location that will serve our most disadvantaged community,” a report by council officers said.

Separately, the Bulldogs are upgrading their primary home at Whitten Oval. The state government set aside $36.6 million for the $58 million project in the 2020-21 budget.

Residents were temporarily locked out of Whitten Oval (https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p55d1e) – public land managed by the club – last year while the Bulldogs were at the AFL’s Queensland hub for the COVID-19 impacted season.

[Grantysghost]

I actually overheard someone of note speaking about this on Saturday at the VFL game. He referenced the refurbishment of the Whitten Oval and the demolition of stands as one of the reasons.

[comrade]

I actually overheard someone of note speaking about this on Saturday at the VFL game. He referenced the refurbishment of the Whitten Oval and the demolition of stands as one of the reasons.

That makes sense, otherwise I can't really see the benefit of splitting up training locations (and spending 1.5m for the privilege).

[Jeanette54]

I actually overheard someone of note speaking about this on Saturday at the VFL game. He referenced the refurbishment of the Whitten Oval and the demolition of stands as one of the reasons.

I remember Skinners Reserve being the pre-season training venue back when I was a kid, 1960's. Maybe because of the cricket club still being in final's contention and wanting Western Oval.

So if the stands are demolished I guess we won't ever see senior football returning to Western Oval ?

[Grantysghost]

I remember Skinners Reserve being the pre-season training venue back when I was a kid, 1960's. Maybe because of the cricket club still being in final's contention and wanting Western Oval.

So if the stands are demolished I guess we won't ever see senior football returning to Western Oval ?

It's part of the refurb so they'll be completely rebuilt.

[Prince Imperial]

That makes sense, otherwise I can't really see the benefit of splitting up training locations (and spending 1.5m for the privilege).

My guess is that they are concerned about the impact on the surface of Whitten Oval by having 4 teams train there and 3 teams playing there. I also assume they have scheduling problems for our 3 non-AFL teams who have part-time players who have to train in the late afternoon/early evening.

[Dancin' Douggy]

wow. Skinner reserve. I remember playing finals there playing for St. Albans in the '80's, playing schoolboy games there with Chisholm college. And drinking tinnies there at lunchtime while 'studying' at St. Johns/Chisholm college. the local bottle shop on Churchill Avenue conveniently ignored your school uniform when buying cans of beer at lunchtime. I hope they make it great.

[jeemak]

Is part of the appeal that it's also being spec'd to Docklands proportions, whereas the Whitten Oval is constrained for width?

[Grantysghost]

Is part of the appeal that it's also being spec'd to Docklands proportions, whereas the Whitten Oval is constrained for width?

Hadn't thought of that. Whitten is narrow.

From what I understand the refurb means the "elite" training facility will be rebuilt and unavailable for a period of time. So it's semi forced, but for 1.5 mill there has to be a bigger picture and you might be onto it.

[Grantysghost]

wow. Skinner reserve. I remember playing finals there playing for St. Albans in the '80's, playing schoolboy games there with Chisholm college. And drinking tinnies there at lunchtime while 'studying' at St. Johns/Chisholm college. the local bottle shop on Churchill Avenue conveniently ignored your school uniform when buying cans of beer at lunchtime. I hope they make it great.

We used to play practise matches there too back in the day.

[mjp]

Hadn't thought of that. Whitten is narrow.

From what I understand the refurb means the "elite" training facility will be rebuilt and unavailable for a period of time. So it's semi forced, but for 1.5 mill there has to be a bigger picture and you might be onto it.

West Coast have 2x Ovals.

Oval 1 is the dimensions of Optus (aka Perth Stadium).
Oval 2 is the dimensions of the MCG.

[jeemak]

The Bummers have two, one Docklands and the other the MCG in size.

[Eastdog]

Good stuff! Good to put some money into Braybrook. I'm looking forward to the Whitten Oval redevelopment as well. Braybrook is a famous footballing suburb producing our club greats EJ and Doug.

[westdog54]

I played a couple of summer seasons of Recfooty at Skinner with Twodogs and the old Bigfooty crew.

We'd have a hit in the nets before our game if we got there early enough.

[bornadog]

Is part of the appeal that it's also being spec'd to Docklands proportions, whereas the Whitten Oval is constrained for width?

As part of the Whitten Oval refurb, the oval will be realigned.

[Twodogs]

I played a couple of summer seasons of Recfooty at Skinner with Twodogs and the old Bigfooty crew.

We'd have a hit in the nets before our game if we got there early enough.

Remember when David Rodan was between AFL clubs and his girlfriend made him play?

[westdog54]

Remember when David Rodan was between AFL clubs and his girlfriend made him play?

I couldn't get over how overweight and slow he looked.

I reckon I could have matched him for pace over 20 metres that night.

Still not as funny as the night we played against AA.

[FrediKanoute]

wow. Skinner reserve. I remember playing finals there playing for St. Albans in the '80's, playing schoolboy games there with Chisholm college. And drinking tinnies there at lunchtime while 'studying' at St. Johns/Chisholm college. the local bottle shop on Churchill Avenue conveniently ignored your school uniform when buying cans of beer at lunchtime. I hope they make it great.

I remember too (the playing not the tinnies). Used to be one of the FDFL's finalis grounds. I remember that it used to carry a lot of surface water, unlike Whitten Oval which would become a bog, at Skinner the water would sit just below the grass, but above the soil.

Sunshine in the VFA used to play there as well. I remember representing Sunshine as part of a combined team in the 80's so we trained there often.

[SonofScray]

Played soccer there just before the stand was pulled down and the community centre redeveloped.

I used to run a youth program there for a few years, would have 50 or so young fellas out there playing small sided soccer games and help keep them out of strife with the police, get them engaged with local health services etc. was my favourite part of the work week.

Can remember us playing Sydney in a preseason game there. It was incorrectly listed as our home ground on a holographic card that the Herald Sun ran as a promotion one year.

Take my daughter to the aeroplane park there all the time, great community asset.

[The bulldog tragician]

I think of that area as 'old style' western suburbs. Gentrification hasn't come to Braybrook. The boys might struggle to get a latte or a 'new-fangled-old-fangled' barber along Churchill Avenue...and yes I too went to school just down the road at Christ the King, and then St John's. I'm very glad to see this area have a boost.

[Bulldog4life]

I saw the great man Chris Grant play his first practice match with us at full forward at Skinner Reserve. Didn't know who he was at the time but knew we had recruited a good player. Didn't realize how good.:)

[The bulldog tragician]

I saw the great man Chris Grant play his first practice match with us at full forward at Skinner Reserve. Didn't know who he was at the time but knew we had recruited a good player. Didn't realize how good.:)

Yes...and an 'All stars' match to celebrate/complete the 89 Fightback with old players from Footscray and Collingwood was also a terrific enjoyable day - commentary provided by Steve McPherson (my son always called him Steven The Person) - the moment Footscray hit the front in the last quarter the siren (of course) sounded.

[Axe Man]

Bulldogs, Maribyrnong Council partner to upgrade Skinner Reserve (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/917679/bulldogs-maribyrnong-council-partner-to-upgrade-skinner-reserve?fbclid=IwAR2N3NBk8AdEV7vHNIQYBG0F1KLgtHMaUIxk4kVx2BQ gLVOiH0PolF5T4kE)

The Western Bulldogs have partnered with Maribyrnong City Council on a shared $3 million project to redevelop Skinner Reserve in Braybrook.

Skinner Reserve, an iconic western suburbs ground in close proximity to VU Whitten Oval, will become a secondary training base for the Bulldogs’ elite teams and a key facility to run its community programs.

The Club is in the final stages of planning the next stage of its Whitten Oval precinct redevelopment, which will include realigning and resurfacing its oval, creating the need for a high-quality alternative training venue into the future.

The upgraded Skinner Reserve will complement the existing Braybrook Community Hub which is thriving at the venue, a jointly-managed, free after-school program for young people aged between 12-15, as well as housing the Club’s Sons of the West and Daughters of the West health programs for Maribyrnong.

The revamped facility will also provide local sporting clubs with much-improved amenities and a quality space for the whole community to enjoy.

The upgrades of Skinner Reserve will include:

- The reconstruction of the existing field to a high quality durable surface, sand-based oval, comparable to the size and scale of Marvel Stadium and MCG playing fields.
- New fence-line and interchange benches.
- The construction of a two-lane running track.
- The construction of 200 LUX LED Lighting, with adequate uniformity allowing local night competition.
- AFL standard goal posts and protective goal netting.
- Improved spectator amenities and surrounds.

“We are excited to be working closely with Council on the upgrades to Skinner Reserve, which is an important project for us on many levels,” said Bulldogs’ CEO Ameet Bains.

“We are about to embark on a major redevelopment of our own facilities at VU Whitten Oval, and for a period of time we will be unable to use our oval while significant works are completed.

“To have access to a high-quality training oval, which is close to our home base and has historical significance to our people and fans, is a fantastic outcome.

“An upgraded Skinner Reserve will also be a winner for the community. It will allow us to have a much greater presence with our suite of impactful community programs, helping us to connect even further with the people of the west.

“We thank Maribyrnong City Council for their cooperation during this process.”

Maribyrnong City Council completed an extensive community engagement process on the proposed upgrades, which was undertaken over two phases from December 2020 to March 2021, with residents showing strong support and welcoming the improvements to the facilities.

“We are very proud to be partnering with the Western Bulldogs Football Club to deliver this exciting project, which will transform Skinner Reserve into a high quality sporting and community facility,” said Maribyrnong City Council Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke.

“Enhancing the facilities at Skinner Reserve is a welcomed boost for our community, improving the recreational opportunities for residents and expanding local sporting opportunities and competitions, putting the west, and Braybrook, on the sporting map.

“It is important to Council that we ensure our community has access to safe, functional and sustainable infrastructure that meets their needs and will continue to meet the needs of generations to come.”

[Eastdog]

I played a couple of summer seasons of Recfooty at Skinner with Twodogs and the old Bigfooty crew.

We'd have a hit in the nets before our game if we got there early enough.

Which other woofers did you play with westdog54? I think Rocco Jones and Cyberdoggie might have been involved with some Rec footy.

[Twodogs]

I couldn't get over how overweight and slow he looked.

I reckon I could have matched him for pace over 20 metres that night.

Still not as funny as the night we played against AA.

Hehe, "you're hot Ando!" Poor old Adrian. He looked so disappointed when I told him that he wasn't the first bloke to invite me for a fight in the car park.

[Twodogs]

Which other woofers did you play with westdog54? I think Rocco Jones and Cyberdoggie might have been involved with some Rec footy.

Yep they played. So did MJP. Also a few posters from the real old days like Pemberton, Chops, Sockeye Salmon (he went berserk and kicked a bag of 8 or 9 after halftime one night) and Onslaught.

Cyberdoggie is the only TEAMMATE to sledge me as I've lined up to have a shot for goal in my life!

[EasternWest]

Cyberdoggie is the only TEAMMATE to sledge me as I've lined up to have a shot for goal in my life!

But was he wrong to do it?

I say no.

[Twodogs]

But was he wrong to do it?

I say no.

I agree and to be fair I may have started it earlier in the game. Maybe even during the warmup.

[Raw Toast]

Yep they played. So did MJP. Also a few posters from the real old days like Pemberton, Chops, Sockeye Salmon (he went berserk and kicked a bag of 8 or 9 after halftime one night) and Onslaught.

Cyberdoggie is the only TEAMMATE to sledge me as I've lined up to have a shot for goal in my life!

I was on another team and played against you all one night. Standing under a ball while Sockeye charged towards it was a terrifying experience. MJP was silk of course, but we managed to triumph that evening.

[Bulldog4life]

Yes...and an 'All stars' match to celebrate/complete the 89 Fightback with old players from Footscray and Collingwood was also a terrific enjoyable day - commentary provided by Steve McPherson (my son always called him Steven The Person) - the moment Footscray hit the front in the last quarter the siren (of course) sounded.

Was there too. Went on the ground as Teddy who was coach gave his speeches. They were hilarious.

[bornadog]

Was there too. Went on the ground as Teddy who was coach gave his speeches. They were hilarious.

Yes, so was I - all a bit of fun.

[Twodogs]

Yep they played. So did MJP. Also a few posters from the real old days like Pemberton, Chops, Sockeye Salmon (he went berserk and kicked a bag of 8 or 9 after halftime one night) and Onslaught.

Cyberdoggie is the only TEAMMATE to sledge me as I've lined up to have a shot for goal in my life!

Just thinking about it Mantis played too.

[Twodogs]

I was on another team and played against you all one night. Standing under a ball while Sockeye charged towards it was a terrifying experience. MJP was silk of course, but we managed to triumph that evening.

Didn't you play on the same team as us too?


Another game I remember was against a team from the navy. One of their guys (he was huge) forgot that it was touch footy and there was no tackling and he ragdolled me on the wing. He swung me above his head and remembered the no tackling rule as he threw me on the ground. I can recall the grass rushing up towards me and him saying "oh shit. Sorry mate" all at the same time.

[Mofra]

West Coast have 2x Ovals.

Oval 1 is the dimensions of Optus (aka Perth Stadium).
Oval 2 is the dimensions of the MCG.
Essendon have two ovals near Tullamarine, again the dimensions of the MCG and Docklands respectively.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Hawthorn is pushing ahead with 3 ovals at its new Dingley Complex

[Axe Man]

Hawthorn is pushing ahead with 3 ovals at its new Dingley Complex

The new footy arms race - the number of training ovals!

I expect one of the rich clubs will have a replica of every AFL ground in a few years time.

[bulldogtragic]

The new footy arms race - the number of training ovals!

I expect one of the rich clubs will have a replica of every AFL ground in a few years time.

Eisenhower warned us this would happen.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Yes...and an 'All stars' match to celebrate/complete the 89 Fightback with old players from Footscray and Collingwood was also a terrific enjoyable day - commentary provided by Steve McPherson (my son always called him Steven The Person) - the moment Footscray hit the front in the last quarter the siren (of course) sounded.

That was a brilliant day. Gary Dempsey, Peter Welsh and other players from the '70's all played. And listening to EJ's rev ups was hilarious.

[bornadog]

Skinner Reserve works underway (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1024884/skinner-reserve-works-underway)

Will be finished by April 2022 - great second facility to train.

[SonofScray]

Skinner Reserve works underway (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1024884/skinner-reserve-works-underway)

Will be finished by April 2022 - great second facility to train.
Running track a good addition I think.

I’ll wander over occasionally and check in on the progress. My daughter loves the playground there and we often go kick the footy, a shame to not have access to that for a while, but looks like it’ll be worth the wait.

[Eastdog]

Great stuff! Really happy to see investment into the Braybrook community.

[SonofScray]

Was down there yesterday, looks like the drainage and bottom layers of the field are all done and the soil is getting put back. The running track is going to look great. In all, reckon we are getting access to a pretty good local facility.

[Eastdog]

Was down there yesterday, looks like the drainage and bottom layers of the field are all done and the soil is getting put back. The running track is going to look great. In all, reckon we are getting access to a pretty good local facility.

Great to hear of the progress SOS. Both WO and Skinner Reserve having makeovers.

[SonofScray]

Went for a kick and a bit of a jog around the new track tonight. Boys were rocking up for training. The field and track are terrific. Good upgrade, the club has don’t the local community a solid here.