Western Bulldogs and their partnership with Ballarat a success

[Ratdweller]

Roof starting to be installed on the first stand. If the ground isn't going to be completed until late 2026 then someone ought to tell the builders. Construction is steaming ahead. At this pace I standby my prediction that the stands will be completed by April/May next year. I am amazed at how much has been done since construction first started back in March when they finished removing the old hill.

 

[Ratdweller]

Roof parts arriving and installation starting on Stand No 1:


An outer section on the truck.

One of the middle sections is sitting on the ground behind the fence. I expect for them to be lifted into place later this week.

 

[Ratdweller]

Construction works beginning at the number 2 oval for two new pavilions and upgraded lighting. Meanwhile at number 1 oval the roof sections are starting to be installed on stand 1.


... And finally works begin on the redeveloped hill:

 

[Ratdweller]

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Now that it is taking shape. it looks even more weird with its size and roof design compared to existing.

 

[SonOfScray]

Roof starting to be installed on the first stand. If the ground isn't going to be completed until late 2026 then someone ought to tell the builders. Construction is steaming ahead. At this pace I standby my prediction that the stands will be completed by April/May next year. I am amazed at how much has been done since construction first started back in March when they finished removing the old hill.

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Going to be some restricted view seating there.

 

[Ratdweller]

Going to be some restricted view seating there.

There won't be because they are removing the first two sections of roof on the smaller Eastern Stand so it won't restrict the sight lines from the upper seats on the new stands

 

[Ratdweller]

Now that it is taking shape. it looks even more weird with its size and roof design compared to existing.

The front raised sections of the roofs will be glazed. It looks very good even in its basic form so far. The colours of the timber really stand out. Plus the front eight rows that are yet to be installed will balance things out a bit. The AW Nicholson website states that works on that will commence in front of stand 1 before Christmas. The front of the roofs visually seem to be a bit higher than the existing stand although in reality they are at least three metres higher. The older stand extends back 22 rows whereas the new stands rise 30 rows at their highest points.

 

[LondonBulldog]

Can anyone explain why it isn't just one grandstand, instead of two? 1 big stand surely would have fitted more people and likely similar costs.

What is the solution to the toilets to be so visible on the TV. Surely, they could build a terrace standing section in front of it.

 

[Ratdweller]

Can anyone explain why it isn't just one grandstand, instead of two? 1 big stand surely would have fitted more people and likely similar costs.

What is the solution to the toilets to be so visible on the TV. Surely, they could build a terrace standing section in front of it.

There will be a permanent TV camera platform positioned between the new stands. There are also two stairways that sit immediately at both ends of each stand. The gaps are deliberate to promote sight lines to surrounding landmarks and landscapes. Sitting at the Social Club end affords a clear view to Mount Buninyong, while TV cameras situated above coaches boxes will capture the historic Selkirk Brickworks chimney stack. Future stands planned for several years time will be built behind the existing Eastern Stand and at the scoreboard end. They too will have gaps. The intention is that it won't look like a traditional stadium but will be more akin to a scaled down version of the Adelaide Oval.


Further, the former open flat area that used to be behind the Southern goals in front of the Southern toilets will have a standing grassed mound that will extend from the front eight rows of the new stands. This mound will join onto the old scoreboard hill. This new hill will feature the new bigger scoreboard and should accommodate a couple of thousand spectators. This area will occupy the large gap between the stands below:


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[Ratdweller]

On my morning walk today approaching the Howitt Street and Midland Highway intersection.

 

[Mr. Walker]

That’s the good thing about living outside of Melbourne. On your morning walks you to to experience such beautiful vistas and commune with nature.

 

[Ratdweller]

Ballarat Times

Bulldogs bound for Ballarat
November 29, 2025

THE Western Bulldogs are ready to relish a special homecoming next week when they revisit Ballarat for an AFL Community Camp. Considered as their home away from home, the Bulldogs have played at least one game per season in Ballarat since 2017 and sometimes two.

They boast a continuous presence in the city through their burgeoning partnership with the City of Ballarat and State Government through renowned programs such as the health and wellbeing-focused Sons of the West and Daughters of the West, and naming rights sponsorship of the Ballarat Football Netball League’s under-8s competition.

Ever eager to extend their reach into Ballarat, the Bulldogs will embrace fans and football followers across two days of activities next Tuesday and Wednesday, highlighted by school visits, an AFL Super Clinic and an open training session, the latter two at Mars Stadium. The Bulldogs’ Ballarat engagement officer, Campbell Waring, said while the players always looked forward to visiting their second home, the timing of this community camp was significant.

“We are not playing games here next year, but it’s good we are still able to come to town,” he said. “It’s a real thrill for the kids when the players come to Ballarat and they might go to their school. When they get up close and personal to the players and ask them questions, the impact it has on the kids is fantastic. They get to hear what inspired them to be an AFL footballer and about their preparation before a game. We are really lucky in Ballarat to have had this opportunity for a couple of years now, to have these community camps in town. Again, because we are not playing a game here next year, this camp is a real focus for the club.”

The Bulldogs will visit 33 schools in the Ballarat area, with more appearances across the two days scheduled for Maryborough and Lake Boga. While there will be no AFL game played in Ballarat next season due to the ongoing redevelopment of Mars Stadium, Waring said the club was already looking forward to returning for two games in 2027. “For the long run – especially for our fans and our members – having those better amenities (at Mars Stadium) will be fantastic for the local community and everyone within the AFL,” he said. “So, we’ve extended the contract out to 2027 and ’28 for our Ballarat faithful. “While it is our second home, we have a year-long presence here anyway. “We’ve been here 10 years now and have a lot of partnerships and stakeholders now. I think with the game that happened this year with Port Adelaide, people have come to terms with being without a game next year, but in the long run, (the increased capacity) is going to be valuable." More than 150 youngsters, aged five to 12 years, had registered for Tuesday’s Super Clinic by early Wednesday this week.

Waring said there was still plenty of room for more youngsters to join the fun and to hone their skills and learn some tips from their favourite Bulldogs players. “It’s the first time we’ve had one of our Super Clinics on Mars Stadium, which will be a real buzz for the kids to be running around on an oval that hosts AFL games,” Waring said. A 90-minute open training session on Wednesday will give supporters the chance to watch the Bulldogs squad go through their paces. It will be one of the first opportunities for fans to see the club’s new batch of draftees, Lachlan Carmichael (taken with pick 21), Louis Emmett (pick 27) and father-son selection Will Darcy, in action.

A free coaching education session on Tuesday at 6.30pm will give local coaches an insight into coaching at the elite level from Bulldogs assistant Brendon Lade

Brendon Lade

Age

49

Ht

199cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.4

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

4.0

3star

HO

15.1

5star

No current season stats available

D

11.2

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

4.4

4star

HO

9.6

5star

and development coach Anthony Barry, also at Mars Stadium.

BALLARAT COME AND PLAY SUPER CLINIC
Where: Mars Stadium (725 Creswick Road, Wendouree).
When: Tuesday 2 December, 4.30pm to 5.30pm (includes autograph signing session).
Registration is free, but places are strictly limited for children aged five to 12 years.
Register at playhq.com/afl/register/283ad7.

OPEN TRAINING SESSION
Where: Mars Stadium.
When: Wednesday 3 December, 3pm to 4.30pm (includes post-training signing session with players).
Enter via Gate 1.

 

[Ratdweller]

A short video filmed two weeks ago, it gives a brief oversight with some good aerials of the whole precinct redevelopment. You get an appreciation of the scale and how things will come together, enjoy:

 

[Plantos]

The front raised sections of the roofs will be glazed. It looks very good even in its basic form so far. The colours of the timber really stand out. Plus the front eight rows that are yet to be installed will balance things out a bit. The AW Nicholson website states that works on that will commence in front of stand 1 before Christmas. The front of the roofs visually seem to be a bit higher than the existing stand although in reality they are at least three metres higher. The older stand extends back 22 rows whereas the new stands rise 30 rows at their highest points.

How much higher will the new stand roof be compared to the older tall stand (broadcast wing)? Are you meaning the 3 metres difference is compared to the small stand roof behind the goals?

 

[Ratdweller]

How much higher will the new stand roof be compared to the older tall stand (broadcast wing)? Are you meaning the 3 metres difference is compared to the small stand roof behind the goals?

At least three metres higher than the front of the main Western Stand. I'll try to get a photo from a distance.

 

[LondonBulldog]

I hope they can build a good terrace standing behind the goals to push the capacity right up to 15k. Whilst I'm not a big supporter of Ballarat (even though I go) if they can lift the capacity up (ideally 20k) it's at least heading in the right direction.

 

[geoffjennings79]

Not to Ratdweller 's standard, but took these this morning while enjoying a coffee at the NBSC.

 

[Plantos]

The roof up on the second stand yet?

 

[geoffjennings79]

The roof up on the second stand yet?

Drove past it today, but was unable to slow down and take a close look. However from Howitt St could see the largest crane was lifting what appeared to be a section of roof.

 

[Ratdweller]

The roof up on the second stand yet?

Taken this morning at 6.20 am. The workers were already well into their day. The fourth section was being installed with the final main section to be lifted tomorrow. The roof on the 1st stand is 90% complete with gutters, flashing and drainage yet to be installed. The glass sections across the forward edge of each roof will be done last. The second stand is tracking exactly five weeks behind the first stand. Over at the athletics centre they are using similar timber framing on the roof of the new clubhouse. The speed of progress on the entire site has surprised me. Perhaps the drier than average Winter helped. But, I maintain that the entire project will be completed by June next year and not October as the government keep saying. I know that Ballarat Regional Athletics Club are particularly keen to get into their new complex as soon as possible.

While the stands have been worked on, more recently there has been a bit of work done to reshape the old scoreboard hill. That will be mostly completed last as the hill ready can't be completed until all of the concrete work at the front of the new stands has been completed sometime around Easter. The work required under the new stands is proceeding and will essentially include two new change rooms, two new public toilet facilities, and two new covered nooks for food and beverage vans.

The concourse between Gate 1 and the rear of the new stands has to be replaced and made level. Preliminary work started on that two days ago. The paving behind the new stands will be a combination of asphalt and pavers. There will be no steps on the transit areas behind the stands except the eight immediate access points into the stands themselves. There will be a disabled lift at the Northern end, and a graduated path accessing the Southern end behind the new scoreboard that will also access the new standing terrace from Gate 2.



Taken this afternoon:

 

[Plantos]

Thanks for the progress photos. The more I keep looking at these pics, the more I keep thinking how good this ground would be to watch cricket on. I understand they haven't played any cricket on the ground since it was redeveloped in 2017? When the new grandstands are completed, I'd love to see cricket played there (BBL, Sheffield Shield, ODIs, T20I). There aren't many aesthetically pleasing cricket grounds in Australia. The best cricket grounds IMO are smaller intimate venues with interesting architectural features of pavilions/grandstands, grass hills/viewing embankments. Mars should hopefully tick most of these boxes when complete. Interested to hear others thoughts. Cheers