The future of the Bulldogs Community Children’s Centre at Whitten Oval has been secured, with Maribyrnong council approving a 10 year lease agreement with the football club last week.
Under the lease agreement, approved at the council meeting on 17 February, the Western Bulldogs will only be able to sublet the childcare centre to a not-for-profit organisation.
It was council’s decision to remove this clause at the end of the Western Bulldogs’ previous lease that led to an outcry from local residents fearful that the club would sublet the centre to a for-profit childcare provider instead.
The backlash forced council to reverse course and reinstate the not-profit clause at its meeting in July last year.
Based on community feedback, council also removed the club’s right of first refusal for any future lease agreements at the Hocking Street property.
Speaking in support of the new lease agreement at last week’s council meeting, Cr Bernadette Thomas, who was deputy mayor when council was forced to reinstate the not-for-profit clause last year, said the right outcome had ultimately been achieved.
“A bit of long and winding road but we got here in the end,” Cr Thomas told the chamber.
In a statement, the Western Bulldogs welcomed council’s decision to a approve a 10-year lease for the childcare centre.
“As well as providing certainty and stability for parents, this timeframe ensures we can work with all stakeholders to realise maximum community benefit for years to come,“ the statement read.
