as The Hangar, in October 2013. Essendon still holds a lease at Windy Hill which will expire after 2031; the club uses the venue for home matches for its reserves team in the Victorian Football League, and maintains a social club and merchandise store on the site. In November 2021, Essendon Football Club unveiled a redevelopment proposal for Windy Hill that would refurbish the grandstands and provide improved spectator and player facilities, and also allow the club's female teams to be permanently based at the venue. Community and professional sports facilities would be added, which would be utilised by the Essendon District Football League which plays many matches at the ground. The $50 million proposal has yet to commence. Grandstands The venue currently has three grandstands: R. S. Reynolds Stand – built when Essendon relocated from the East Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was originally known simply as the main grandstand; in April 1951, it was named in honour of the still active captain-coach Dick Reynolds, who had at that stage led the club to four premierships. Alan T. Hird Stand – opened in 1973, it houses the club's Social Club. Named after former club president and player Allan Hird, who was also the grandfather of club legend James Hird W. H. Cookson Stand – originally named the Memorial Stand, it was built in 1963. Was designed by Essendon player Jack Clarke. Former stands and features included: W. R. Crichton Shelter – located on the southern wing, it was mainly terraced standing room with limited seats at the front. It was removed to make way for the Essendon Bowls Club, which had lost their greens with the construction of the leisure centre. Removed approximately 1994. A. F. Showers Pavilion – The ground included a significant heritage stand, the A.F. Showers Stand. Designed by Essendon architect Harry Winbush and built in 1939, it was the last major football stand to be built in Melbourne prior to World War II. After spending many years closed to the general public due to safety concerns, the Showers Stand was demolished in late 2007 to make way for more open space at the ground. W.G. Brew Scoreboard – located in the school end pocket, behind the croquet club. Was removed in the late 1990s along with the remainder of the outer and hill, which were reduced to about fence level around the school end of the