After several years of hard times, the Royal Agricultural Society of WA has enjoyed a bumper 2004 and is working on a number of opportunities to make its Claremont showgrounds a highly sought-after venue again.
After several years of hard times, the Royal Agricultural Society of WA has enjoyed a bumper 2004 and is working on a number of opportunities to make its Claremont showgrounds a highly sought-after venue again.
Some of those options include the relocation of the Claremont Football Club to the grounds and bidding for a 12,000 seat multi-sports facility grant.
In 2004 the society capitalised on the WA Government’s controversial offer to fund free attendance for children under 15 at the Perth Royal Show, worth $1.7 million to the show’s 100th year at its Claremont grounds.
Based on the society’s annual report, the number of adults through the turnstiles also increased by 20 per cent on the previous year with healthier total gate receipts of $7.8 million, up 6.2 per cent.
The record crowd of 483,761 enabled RASWA to increase its cash position to nearly $3.3 million for the year ended December 31 2004, a vast improvement on 2003 when the kitty held just $11,914.
The cash is expected to be used to quicken the pace of debt repayment and subsidise the annual show, which has cost nearly $5.5 million a year over the past two years, according to RASWA chief executive Bruce Rathbone.
“Any other income we get goes towards subsidising the community’s participation in the Perth Royal Show, as that remains our priority,” he said.
In 2004 income generated from non-Royal Show letting increased 9 per cent on the previous year to $964,000.
This revenue source could dramatically improve if the Claremont Football Club move and the multi-sport facility bids come off.
“There needs to be a three-way arrangement for the football club move, between us, the State government and the football club,” Mr Rathbone said.
“Everyone is supportive however it is still dependent on the redevelopment of the football land to deliver the required social and financial outcomes for all parties.”
The RASWA has also joined with Mirvac Fini to explore the possibility of a bid for $50 million worth of WA Government funding for the proposed 12,000 seat multi-sport stadium.
If successful, the project would mean a redevelopment of the showgrounds.
“The multi-sports facility would add a whole new dimension to the society,” Mr Rathbone told WA Business News.
It has been suggested that a stadium could be used as a replacement for the Burswood Dome, hosting the Hopman Cup and similar events.
RASWA began facing tough times after the loss of the Claremont Speedway in 2000, combined with spending on ground improvements which had created significant debts for the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia.
Until last year, ticket receipts from the Perth Royal Show had fallen each year since 1996.
