Essendon is one step closer to completing a major upgrade of its training facilities at The Hangar following the installation of four light towers on the facility’s community training oval.

After a 12-month construction process that included consultation with Melbourne airport and external contractors, the 33-metre tall light towers were successfully tested last week and will be tested again next week with AFL Head of Football Operations & Compliance Matt O’Hanlon and VFL Football Operations Manager Ash Brown in attendance.

According to Essendon’s General Manager of Corporate Services Chris Pehlivanis, the light towers on the community training oval will benefit not only the Bombers’ men’s and women’s VFL teams but the James Hird Academy junior development program and the local community programs who use the field.

“We can have all our squads training at this elite facility, which was always our vision,” says Pehlivanis.

“It’s going to be a massive benefit. Our VFL squads, who are currently training at RMIT and different venues across Victoria, they’ll have a permanent home here at the Hangar, which is a great result.

The light towers stand metres beyond the boundary line of the forward pockets and are equipped with three adjustable settings.

“We’ll be able to operate them at 100, 200 and 300 lux, which effectively means that if it’s training or match simulation, you can use different lighting,” says Pehlivanis.

The ongoing development of the training facilities will see the construction of a boundary fence and a scoreboard.

The Essendon Football Club would like to express its gratitude to the members and donors who have been involved in the ongoing development of the training facilities at Tullamarine.