Brad Scott, the head of AFL Victoria, was in Warrnambool to announce the funds on Tuesday.

Mr Scott said he was delighted to be able to announce the funding for the $11 million upgrade of the sporting facility.

"Driving in from Melbourne this morning it's really clear this is a really fast growing region and certainly a really important region for football," he said.

Mr Scott said AFL Victoria was committed to helping increase participation in football and upgrading facilities was a key component of that.

"Today I'm excited to announce AFL Victoria will be contributing $250,000 from the Australian Football Facilities fund towards the redevelopment of Reid Oval," he said.

Mr Scott said the funds would help upgrade the surface, install lighting to cater for night games and the construction of a two-storey multi-purpose pavilion.

He said the Reid Oval would be able to host AFL and talent matches once the upgrades are complete.

Mr Scott joked that former Warrnambool resident and AFL great Jonathon Brown, who had raised the issue of the Reid Oval surface being in need of an upgrade, told him to make sure he mentioned his name while in the city.

Warrnambool City councillor Debbie Arnott said she was delighted to see the project under way.

"Well here we are on Reid Oval with grass beneath our feet and a new pavilion being built before our eyes," Cr Arnott said.

"What an exciting time."

Cr Arnott said the project was made possible with funds from the state government, the Warrnambool City Council, Cricket Victoria, Reid Oval user groups and now AFL Victoria.

"On behalf of Warrnambool City Council and more broadly the sporting community of the south-west I'd like to thank the AFL for their financial support of the Reid Oval redevelopment," she said.

Cr Arnott said it was fair to say south-west residents loved Aussie rules.

"But in recent years our love of the game hasn't been matched with a showcase facility that we can truly be proud of."

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