The Future of Waverley Park

[rdhopkins2]

With Hawthorn set to move into Dingley in time for the 2026 season, where does that leave the future of Waverley Park?

It would be wonderful if some it could become apartments and housing for Hawks supporters and to keep the oval and fitness areas for community recreation.

If given the choice, what would you do with Waverley?

What will actually become of it?

 

[streetspirit]

We should hear about it soon, given the early Feb members email update :

Towards the end of last year, we shared that the club had begun exploring what the sale or lease of our existing home at Bunjil Bagora, Waverley Park might look like. We expect to be taking some steps in this space over the next couple of weeks so you may see some media coverage about it. I will continue to be in touch with you as the process continues and update you accordingly.

 

[Argy]

The latest club promo mentions "our last year at Waverly".

 

[TheFourPillars]

We are selling waverley

 

[Philhawk]

With Hawthorn set to move into Dingley in time for the 2026 season, where does that leave the future of Waverley Park?

It would be wonderful if some it could become apartments and housing for Hawks supporters and to keep the oval and fitness areas for community recreation.

If given the choice, what would you do with Waverley?

What will actually become of it?

Hope I don’t sound heartless, but the goal should be to extract as much $$$ as possible.

I think the grandstand is heritage listed, so I’m sure there’ll be an opportunity to keep some history there.

 

[Walshawk]

Hope I don’t sound heartless, but the goal should be to extract as much $$$ as possible.

I think the grandstand is heritage listed, so I’m sure there’ll be an opportunity to keep some history there.

It can’t be developed. It is not zoned residential and both the grandstand and oval are heritage listed. It has limited use - we paid $1. Assume we receive rent from the gym and other shop. Most likely is that we sell it to the AFL so they can use it for the umpires, or Melbourne. We are not talking tens of millions.

 

[streetspirit]

It can’t be developed. It is not zoned residential and both the grandstand and oval are heritage listed. It has limited use - we paid $1. Assume we receive rent from the gym and other shop. Most likely is that we sell it to the AFL so they can use it for the umpires, or Melbourne. We are not talking tens of millions.

The tweet referenced in pattymalone's post in the Dingley thread suggest we're aiming for c$20M

News - We’re going to Dingleyland! Teams to move in mid 2025!

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Ned Ryerson]

https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/waverley-park-up-for-sale-as-hawks-fly-south-to-new-training-base-20250220-p5lds9.html

"It’s the end of an era at Waverley Park as the Hawks fly south and put the historic Mulgrave football oval and its grandstand up for sale.

With the AFL club’s new $100 million Dingley Village HQ almost ready, Hawthorn are selling the Waverley headquarters and training facility – with vacant possession – and the adjoining Goodlife Health Club.

The two properties, offered separately to the market, could fetch up to $20 million in total, market sources suggested."

 

[peetoo]

Monash?

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Wonder if the Demons would look at it. I doubt they could spring for something as good as Dingley - and facilities at Casey Fields would be a lot further out than Mulgrave.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Wonder if the Demons would look at it. I doubt they could spring for something as good as Dingley - and facilities at Casey Fields would be a lot further out than Mulgrave.

Highly doubt it. The reason why Hawthorn is moving from Waverley is that it was cost-prohibitive to upgrade the facilities for the AFL club, given the restrictions imposed by the proximity of housing around the stadium and the heritage overlay. Hawthorn was near the bottom of the ladder in terms of the facilities for players at Waverley, and the move to Dingley is intended to catapult Hawthorn to the top of that ladder. I doubt Melbourne would abandon its Casey base to move to a lesser base simply because it's closer to the MCG.

 

[Philhawk]

It can’t be developed. It is not zoned residential and both the grandstand and oval are heritage listed. It has limited use - we paid $1. Assume we receive rent from the gym and other shop. Most likely is that we sell it to the AFL so they can use it for the umpires, or Melbourne. We are not talking tens of millions.

Media suggests $20m.

 

[razarback]

Will always be hallowed turf, especially because of the 1991 premiership

 

[TassieGrown]

Would be great if club can transfer a section of the hallowed turf to Dingley.

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Would be great if club can transfer a section of the hallowed turf to Dingley.

Perhaps we could give the section of the turf to Carlton where Luke OSullivan did his knee

In all seriousness, they just laid brand new turf. Where do you put it

 

[TassieGrown]

Perhaps we could give the section of the turf to Carlton where Luke OSullivan did his knee

In all seriousness, they just laid brand new turf. Where do you put it

Only needs to be a square foot section

 

[rdhopkins2]

Would be great if club can transfer a section of the hallowed turf to Dingley.

“The Members Lawn” or “HFC Members Lawn”

 

[HedgeFund]

Highly doubt it. The reason why Hawthorn is moving from Waverley is that it was cost-prohibitive to upgrade the facilities for the AFL club, given the restrictions imposed by the proximity of housing around the stadium and the heritage overlay. Hawthorn was near the bottom of the ladder in terms of the facilities for players at Waverley, and the move to Dingley is intended to catapult Hawthorn to the top of that ladder. I doubt Melbourne would abandon its Casey base to move to a lesser base simply because it's closer to the MCG.

Yep - that ain’t happening.

No AFL club would buy Waverley. It’s archaic as a sporting facility.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Caulfield Grammar or Wesley College have a sniff though.

Both schools are light on for sporting fields and their student numbers aren’t shrinking. Their Waverley (Wesley - 8km) and Wheelers Hill (Caulfield - 3.5km) campuses are pretty close by.

 

[spudmaster]

Ice rink, please and thanks. Knock a few back at the Mulgrave Country Club, wander over Wellington Road and test the coordination.

 

[wahawk]

we paid $1. Assume we receive rent from the gym and other shop. Most likely is that we sell it to the AFL so they can use it for the umpires, or Melbourne. We are not talking tens of millions.

Why not ?
What we paid is irrelevant.

What someone is prepared to pay is the question & tens of millions is not out of the question.

 

[The_Extractor]

Any news what will happen to the Kennedy statue and the plaques ? Will they be relocated to Dingley ?

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Highly doubt it. The reason why Hawthorn is moving from Waverley is that it was cost-prohibitive to upgrade the facilities for the AFL club, given the restrictions imposed by the proximity of housing around the stadium and the heritage overlay. Hawthorn was near the bottom of the ladder in terms of the facilities for players at Waverley, and the move to Dingley is intended to catapult Hawthorn to the top of that ladder. I doubt Melbourne would abandon its Casey base to move to a lesser base simply because it's closer to the MCG.

Fair points - didn’t realise they were in the midst of trying to build a base in Caulfield also.

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

 

[peetoo]

Yep - that ain’t happening.

No AFL club would buy Waverley. It’s archaic as a sporting facility.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Caulfield Grammar or Wesley College have a sniff though.

Both schools are light on for sporting fields and their student numbers aren’t shrinking. Their Waverley (Wesley - 8km) and Wheelers Hill (Caulfield - 3.5km) campuses are pretty close by.

Trouble is can’t have competitive games with spectators

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Reading this from 2003, the Hawks are now likely to get almost 20% of what the AFL received from Mirvac for selling the whole of the AFL owned land back then

Not bad business at all. Big thanks to Chris Langford who I believe was head/senior at Mirvac at the time if I am not mistaken

Edit, the AFL received $110