Bombers fans slam plan to knock down Windy Hill grandstands
Emilie Baxter, Moonee Valley Leader
October 13, 2019 6:00am
Bombers fans are furious with a council vision for Windy Hill that could see the site’s sacred and historic grandstands torn down.
The plans have suggested removing two of the three grandstands to create more open space as part of a council draft vision to reinvigorate the site.
The suggestion is just one of several possible options to improve the area, including new netball courts and a playground.
The council document said grandstand removals would generate more land for other purposes such as public space or a sporting hub.
The plans are only in the draft stage and nothing is set in stone.
Tim Watson holds the premiership cup at Windy Hill the day after the 1993 Grand Final.
The author of 2017’s We Are Essendon , Rick Edwards, said the grandstands were iconic and should stay a part of the precinct.
“You just don’t tear down historical and iconic grandstands so there’s more space for people to walk their dogs or kick a soccer ball,” he said.
“Essendon’s AFL side may have moved from the ground, but its spirit remains.”
The Bombers’ AFL club has shifted its base to Tullamarine, but the oval is still used for home matches for its VFL side.
“Grandstand seating is also necessary so crowds can sit in comfort at VFL games,” Mr Edwards said.
The grandstands, if knocked down, would make way for more open space for the community. Picture: Hamish Blair
Bombers fans took to social media to vent their frustrations, citing cultural and historical significance, a need for shelter during games and the destruction of the club’s spirit as reasons to keep the stands.
“We think the grandstands should stay and be adaptively re-purposed. They are an integral part of the site’s heritage fabric,” wrote Adam Ford.
“These grandstands are intrinsically linked to the history of this hallowed precinct, surely some renovation and mixed-use utilisation of these heritage structures could be incorporated into the master plan,” wrote Ian Mason.
Roger Merrett flys for a mark at the ground in 1983.
Many questioned why the grandstands were not heritage-listed, as they had such a cultural significance for the Essendon Football Club.
Moonee Valley Mayor Narelle Sharpe said the council had not made any decisions on any of the infrastructure yet, and the draft vision was in the process of being redrafted with the latest round of community feedback.
“There are no plans for how the precinct will look at this stage,” she said.
“The draft vision highlights a number of community concerns, including that the grandstands are in urgent need of upkeep.
“It is absolutely our intention to maintain the history of the football club at Windy Hill.”
Heritage Victoria and the Essendon Football Club were contacted for comment but did not respond by the deadline.
