The expansion of the NEC Hangar will also house members of the Australian rules football (AFL) club’s Next Generation Academy and associated community leagues.

The dormitories are on track for completion as early as February, with construction forming part of the first phase of a AUD$21 million (£11.9 million/$16.2 million/€13 million) two stage development.

The first phase of the expansion will also include new atrium reception, cafe and retail areas, and dedicated women’s football facilities.

The club has already delivered an expanded AFL player lounge and nutrition kitchen, AFL meeting rooms and VFL changing rooms to add to its current AFL training facilities.

"We received a AUD$4 million (£2.2 million/$3.08 million/€2.5 million) grant from the Federal Government to support our partnership with Paralympics Australia and deliver best-practice dormitory accommodation facilities at the NEC Hangar for our national para-athletes and aspiring AFL players," said Jess Newman, Essendon Football Club’s general manager of strategic operations and community.

"Paralympics Australia will utilise the dorms for up to one third of the year.

"For the other two thirds of the year, Essendon will be hosting a range of immersive training camps through our Next Generation Academy programme, our James Hird Academy programme and local football leagues like the Essendon District Football League and Riddell District Football League.

"Those involved in those programmes will be able to come and stay on site in the dormitory accommodation and get an insight into what it takes to play and train as an AFL player, and things they can take away to help them on their pathway."

The accommodation will serve as a base for Para-athletes in their preparation for the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The NEC Hangar continues to be the home of Paralympics Australia’s Victorian office.

Paralympics Australia chief executive Lynne Anderson welcomed the investment, which is expected to have a significant impact on Australia’s teams.

"This investment continues the recognition of the rising profile and potential of Para-sports," Anderson said.

"The Australian Paralympic Team has consistently performed above expectations on the global stage and this support to facilitate preparation and performance is something we never take for granted.

"This new fully accessible accommodation will enable our Para-athletes from a range of sports to prepare for the delayed Tokyo Paralympic Games in the best possible performance environment, within a truly world class performance facility.

"Given the accommodation has been carefully designed and built with full accessibility in mind for Paralympic athletes and programmes, compromises of the past will no longer need to be made to accommodate our best athletes together in a comfortable, yet performance-orientated facility.

"It will also provide an extremely viable option for Paralympic sport programmes that operate under high budgetary pressure, with use of the accommodation for Paralympic programmes remaining cost neutral.

"But the benefit of this accommodation goes beyond the potential financial value.

"We believe in its potential to have a significant impact on teams preparing not just for Tokyo but future summer and winter Paralympic Games, particularly with the range of pathway and talent programmes which will also now be delivered at the facility."

Phase two of the development is expected to be completed in mid-2021.

The second phase will include a sports museum, community education hub and health clinic, and community change rooms.