Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

[SquirrelGrip]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

Whilst I love the facilities, I don't like the fact that we've built them without having enough money to pay for them.

If it's a future fund to help with whatever the next level will be, I'm open to that, but not to pay for something we didn't budget for correctly.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

Whilst I love the facilities, I don't like the fact that we've built them without having enough money to pay for them.

If it's a future fund to help with whatever the next level will be, I'm open to that, but not to pay for something we didn't budget for correctly.

To be fair to the club. There is not a single building budget that has come in anywhere near projections through COVID and the supply chain difficulties that followed. Core inflation is +19% alone since COVID after running at 1-2% per annum prior to that. Building material and building labour is running way, way ahead of core inflation. Hence why so many construciton firms have gone into liquidation in the last two years.

It would be good to understand exactly what happened with some greater transparency. Was it project scope creep? Was there some things that come up that were unplanned for (i.e. asbestos)? Or was it just that it cost more to build what we orignally planned for?

[1eyedog]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

Building stuff this quick (and it was very quick) costs big money. It's not just unplanned constraints (asbestos) if you want it done fast it costs money. Time is money.

[Bornadog]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

I have contacted Ameet and he agrees they will give a better explanation on the "Giving Day"

Hopefully supporters accept it.

[Axe Man]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

Still a little light on detail...

Giving Day: Bulldogs ask for support to Fight On, Forever in Footscray

This Wednesday 7 August, the Western Bulldogs are calling on members and fans to help bridge the Mission Whitten Oval redevelopment funding gap.

The new facility was officially reopened last month after a $78m upgrade and, in the words of CEO Ameet Bains, has ?laid the foundations for sustained future success?.

To guarantee the State and Federal Government investments that made the redevelopment project possible, the Club assumed its own funding commitment and is undertaking a giving campaign to help meet this undertaking without acquiring debt.

This will allow the Club to continue to grow and invest in other revenue generating activities to ensure it remains financially sustainable into the future. This in turn allows the Club to continue increasing its investment into football programs as salary caps and soft caps grow year on year.

Donations will be matched and doubled on Wednesday, up to the value of $1 million. All money raised will go towards funding the new facilities at Mission Whitten Oval.

?We are calling on everyone in our community to help us close the funding gap for these transformative facilities,? said Kylie Watson-Wheeler, President of the Club.

?Help us to Fight On. Forever in Footscray. For generations to come.?

To donate, go to charidy.com/wb

[Grantysghost]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

Who is paying for the donation matching?

We aren't going into debt to do this are we?

[Happy Days]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

Who is paying for the donation matching?

We aren't going into debt to do this are we?

I suspect it’s Gordon or Smorgon or both but saying that “we’re in debt but also somehow have $1m to match donations with” is really confusing. Why not just reduce the debt by $1m before even announcing it?

[Grantysghost]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

I suspect it’s Gordon or Smorgon or both but saying that “we’re in debt but also somehow have $1m to match donations with” is really confusing. Why not just reduce the debt by $1m before even announcing it?

That's what I'm wondering!

It's not really an incentive for me to give either.

I'll give either way, I don't want you to cancel out the point of my donation!

[Axe Man]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

I suspect it’s Gordon or Smorgon or both but saying that “we’re in debt but also somehow have $1m to match donations with” is really confusing. Why not just reduce the debt by $1m before even announcing it?

Gvg mentioned earlier in the thread that Smorgo had donated $500k so perhaps that is part of the $1 million?

I guess the matching thing elicits some urgency from members that you have to make the donation tomorrow for maximum benefit to the club. Otherwise it may become one of those things well meaning people mean to get around to but ultimately forget to do.

[GVGjr]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

Gvg mentioned earlier in the thread that Smorgo had donated $500k so perhaps that is part of the $1 million?

I guess the matching thing elicits some urgency from members that you have to make the donation tomorrow for maximum benefit to the club. Otherwise it may become one of those things well meaning people mean to get around to but ultimately forget to do.

As far as I understand that donation was done prior to this initiative starting.

I still think the details provided so far now that the Giving Day has officially started are very light on.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

I like this option - the jumper or the seat. I think the seat might upset some of the people who had them in the old stand though.

[Axe Man]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

As far as I understand that donation was done prior to this initiative starting.

I still think the details provided so far now that the Giving Day has officially started are very light on.

Agreed.

For anyone interested you can also get:

Name on a Commemorative Playing Jumper: For donations between $295 and $995, donors can have their first and surname or family name on a commemorative jumper worn during a designated Western Bulldogs Home game in season 2025. Please note there are additional charges for purchasing a version of the commemorative jumper and further details provided after Giving Day.

**Name on Seat in the Whitten Stand: For any purchase of $995 or more, donors will have the opportunity to have their first and surname or family name on a seat plaque (up to 50 characters) in the new Whitten Stand for a period of 5 years, with coordination occurring after Giving Day.

A bit rough they pull your name off the seat after 5 years.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

Agreed.

For anyone interested you can also get:



A bit rough they pull your name off the seat after 5 years.

Geez the 5 year thing kind of sucks!

I guess they will ask if you want to re-donate and keep it.

I get it from a business sense, however feels kind of shitty.

What's that 200 bucks a year? or does it go up to 400 when the matching dissapears.

[hujsh]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

Looks like they're at 300k. I gave $10

[MrMahatma]

Re: Brand new Kennel: Dogs unveil $78m upgrade to Whitten Oval

I think the best way to get $ from people is to remove the reasons not to. They should be really clearly telling us:

1. What's the target?
2. Who/how the $ are being matched?
3. Details like the cost of the commemorative guernsey now, not after giving day
4. If donations are tax deductible? (Perhaps its on the website but should be something they're screaming about)

I mean, we all love the club and I'm sure want to help out, but why make it hard?