The Western Australian Cricket Association has announced a proposal to redevelop the WACA Ground into a multi-purpose venue and is seeking $60 million from the government to fund it.
The Western Australian Cricket Association has announced a proposal to redevelop the WACA Ground into a multi-purpose venue and is seeking $60 million from the government to fund it.
The WACA had previously canned plans for a $500 million revedelopment in 2013 and outlined plans for a $207 million upgrade in 2016.
The latest proposal includes a 10,000-seat stadium, which could host international cricket, AFL and soccer matches.
The development would also include a piazza to be used for concerts and markets, a public gym, a new cricket museum, and a 10-lane indoor cricket facility.
The WACA said the project would cost approximately $75 million, with the association committed to raising $10 million for the redevelopment through the WA Cricket Foundation.
Cricket Australia has committed $4 million, and the WACA will require $60 million to be injected by the state and federal governments.
It is not known where the other $1 million would be sourced from.
WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said the project was well overdue.
“It’s no secret that the WACA Ground has fallen behind the standard of other major cricket and sporting venues in Australia,” she said.
“We have an incredible opportunity to provide Perth with a modern boutique cricket venue, as well as a building a community destination where everyone can enjoy the benefits.
“Imagine watching a concert in the middle of the iconic WACA Ground, or going to the gym and seeing Meg Lanning or Mitch Marsh working out.”
In 2016, the WACA submitted a funding request to the state government for $175 million, as part of a proposed $207 million redevelopment, which it said would transition the WACA Ground into a 15,000-capacity boutique stadium with new seating facilities and more shade.
In 2013, the WACA and Ascot Capital confirmed they would no longer go ahead with a planned $500 million redevelopment of the East Perth ground after the developers failed to hit pre-sales targets for apartments.
The trouble-plagued project had been planned to include 540 apartments and 30,000 square metres of commercial space.
“There were a number of unknowns when we looked at improvements to the WACA Ground in previous years,” Ms Matthews said.
“We now have more certainty on the future, we know what cricket content will remain here and we know what community facilities we can offer.”
According to BNIQ data, the WACA is the 24th largest convention centre in the state, with a total banquet capacity of 375.
