Other than three glorious grand final victories, it’s hard to imagine two more significant days in West Coast Eagles history than those that have completed this working week.

First, club icon John Worsfold terminated his 12-year tenure as senior coach. Then today came the announcement that the club had reached a heads of agreement to relocate to Lathlain Park.

The concept of moving to the home of the Perth Football Club is subject to providing a satisfactory business case, so there is still some work to be done, but there is an in-principle agreement that, all going well, the club will relocate to the eastern fringe of the CBD.

This announcement does not carry the emotional weight of the biggest figure in the history of the club stepping aside, but it is no less significant.

The club making Lathlain Park its base is monumental. It means leaving the spiritual home of football in this town, Patersons Stadium, although the first quantum leap from Subiaco was actually taken about two years ago when Burswood was identified as the site for the proposed Perth Stadium.

There is much to like about the club’s move to Lathlain Park, not the least the discussions with the Town of Victoria Park, which have been so fruitful. Indeed, there exists an alignment of ideals with both organisations.

A key plank in this negotiation has been a commitment to the community programs within the club. Yes, the primary function of the West Coast Eagles is to play football and to play it well, but the club takes very seriously its social responsibilities.

People support the club because they can go to the footy and cheer, take pride in their team performing with distinction, although, as we saw in the last three games of this season, occasionally the team does not meet expectations.

But West Coast aims to provide other avenues by which its loyal band of members and fans can puff out their chest as proud supporters.

Under the proposed facility, it is envisaged that the David Wirrpanda Foundation will relocate its offices and the club will continue to run many of its existing community programs, even expanding its commitment.

The BHP Kicking Goals program is the flagship of the club’s community initiatives and only last night it won a coveted award for its engagement.   The West Coast Eagles and BHP Billiton won the Community Relations category in the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) State Awards for Excellence.

The cornerstone of the program is to inspire better educational outcomes through sport.    

There are, of course, other programs which have a significant impact both educationally and in the field of sport – Eagles Rock My School and Eagles Cup for example.

Then there are individuals, like Nic Naitanui who is an official AFL multicultural ambassador. He is probably the most identifiable player on the West Coast list and he embraces his local community.

In conjunction with the Wirrpanda Foundation, the club intends to make a significant impact going forward.

The Lathlain Park concept will deliver on another key element that has long been the dream of the key decision-makers at the West Coast Eagles – a facility that our fans can call their own. A social club environment which will enhance their sense of belonging.

It is intended that there will be a café and a museum, which will display unique West Coast memorabilia.

All of this and a facility just a couple of kilometres from the new stadium.

Naturally, the primary function of such a facility is to provide the best possible environment in which to prepare a group of elite athletes for what is arguably the most physically demanding game in the world.

The players will have every possible resource available to them, including two ovals – one the same dimensions as the MCG and the other configured to the new Perth Stadium.

There will be a gymnasium, indoor training facility, lap pool and a range of other training tools which help to make this the best venue in the southern hemisphere. The West Coast Eagles Football Club always strives for excellence and this is a momentous step.

Yesterday we lauded a club legend, today we herald the future. It has been a remarkable 24 hours.