Essendon Football Club Managing Director, Peter Jackson, today welcomed a State Government funding initiative which will result in the development of a significant sporting community facility at Cross Keys Reserve.
Victorian Premier Mr John Brumby announced that $1.5 million would be provided for a re-configuration of the Essendon Recreation Reserve (Windy Hill).
Essendon Football Club has for some time stated it intended to provide funding support for the Cross Keys development.
""We have been in discussions with the Moonee Valley City Council and other stakeholders for some time looking at the development of a sporting centre at Cross Keys Reserve,"" Jackson said today.
""Any development was dependent on some changes being made to the Windy Hill precinct and this State Government support allows us to make those changes.
""To ensure the Cross Keys development was a worthwhile one, both Essendon Football Club and the Moonee Valley City Council needed the support of the State Government so we welcome today’s announcement.
""We think that the Cross Key Reserve provides a wonderful opportunity for the local community. We think it is vastly under utilised and this development would address that in the future.""
Over the past 10 years, Essendon Football Club has invested $20 million into the Windy Hill facility. A significant amount of this spend has provided direct benefit to the local community. A new bowling clubhouse and bowling green, removal of the spectator mound and upgrade of the playing surface were among these improvements.
The Club is also planning for the development of a Windy Hill-based community centre that will among other things enable to greatly enhance the reach of its community programs.
""We are genuine about playing a part in the local community and we see the development of Cross Keys as an extension of that commitment,"" Jackson said.
The re-configuration of Windy Hill will see the removal of the centre cricket wickets with the Cross Keys development likely to house Essendon Cricket Club match days.
