WACA plan for future

[Demosthenes]

MCC know which side their bread is buttered (AFL) and they wouldn't want to put offside the owner (VIC Government).

Again, what is the AFL going to do? Stop playing matches at their flagship ground?

If there was a permanent pitch at the 'G, the AFL would just suck it up - same as they did for most of the last century. There's no good reason why there shouldn't be permanent pitches at all the cricket grounds, doesn't do any harm at the Gabba and SCG.

Drop-in pitches are far worse for cricket than permanent pitches are for footy.

 

[JackOutback]

Shame, but the WACA just doesn't hold enough people for the big matches. If they didn't, we would end up losing more Tests in future.

The failure of management to get their redevelopment up is a big black mark.

 

[Admiral Byng]

Another drop-in - absolute garbage.

Would have no issues about the move if they kept a proper pitch. CA really needs to grow some balls and stand up to the AFL about keeping real pitches on 'shared' grounds.

This announcement is pretty much Plan B for the WACA, they aren't in any position to start demanding permanent pitches.

Their Plan A was to redevelop and expand the WACA, financed through a JV with a property developer building units and offices on the land surrounding the ground. It looked good on paper, but with the end of the boom the numbers don't stack up anymore and the plan has fallen through.

It was going to cost serious money to redevelop and expand the ground, they are talking about $150-200 million for the new plan with reduced crowd capacity of 15,000. They just don't have the money to fund a proper redevelopment privately. They aren't going to get the money through partnerships with developers, the only alternative is to go cap in hand to the government. But they've just started building a new stadium just 2km away and won't fund a big redevelopment for what are essentially duplicate facilities. The WACA are left with getting the best deal they can. If that means no permanent pitch then that's what they get. They took on a commercial risk and it didn't work out for them, it is too late now to start pushing other parties around and demanding things.

 

[JackOutback]

This announcement is pretty much Plan B for the WACA, they aren't in any position to start demanding permanent pitches.

Their Plan A was to redevelop and expand the WACA, financed through a JV with a property developer building units and offices on the land surrounding the ground. It looked good on paper, but with the end of the boom the numbers don't stack up anymore and the plan has fallen through.

It was going to cost serious money to redevelop and expand the ground, they are talking about $150-200 million for the new plan with reduced crowd capacity of 15,000. They just don't have the money to fund a proper redevelopment privately. They aren't going to get the money through partnerships with developers, the only alternative is to go cap in hand to the government. But they've just started building a new stadium just 2km away and won't fund a big redevelopment for what are essentially duplicate facilities. The WACA are left with getting the best deal they can. If that means no permanent pitch then that's what they get. They took on a commercial risk and it didn't work out for them, it is too late now to start pushing other parties around and demanding things.

If I recall, that commercial risk cost them quite a bit of money when the deal fell through, with nothing to show for it. It was poor management and has left them in the position you describe.

 

[Demosthenes]

This announcement is pretty much Plan B for the WACA, they aren't in any position to start demanding permanent pitches.

Their Plan A was to redevelop and expand the WACA, financed through a JV with a property developer building units and offices on the land surrounding the ground. It looked good on paper, but with the end of the boom the numbers don't stack up anymore and the plan has fallen through.

It was going to cost serious money to redevelop and expand the ground, they are talking about $150-200 million for the new plan with reduced crowd capacity of 15,000. They just don't have the money to fund a proper redevelopment privately. They aren't going to get the money through partnerships with developers, the only alternative is to go cap in hand to the government. But they've just started building a new stadium just 2km away and won't fund a big redevelopment for what are essentially duplicate facilities. The WACA are left with getting the best deal they can. If that means no permanent pitch then that's what they get. They took on a commercial risk and it didn't work out for them, it is too late now to start pushing other parties around and demanding things.

I'm not saying that this particular deal is salvageable at this particular point in time. But it's the cricket administration in this country's history of caving to the AFL that has led to this situation.

If there was an historically established expectation that top tier Test venues must have permanent pitches, you better believe they'd be putting one in the new stadium right now. The idea of Perth never again hosting a top-level Test would be abhorrent to the government.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

If I recall, that commercial risk cost them quite a bit of money when the deal fell through, with nothing to show for it. It was poor management and has left them in the position you describe.

Craig McDermott wasn't involved was he?

 

[The Speaker]

If I recall, that commercial risk cost them quite a bit of money when the deal fell through, with nothing to show for it. It was poor management and has left them in the position you describe.

Cost them $7 million, which on the one hand is quite a lot, but on the other hand is nowhere near the actual cost of redevelopment.

 

[Admiral Byng]

If I recall, that commercial risk cost them quite a bit of money when the deal fell through, with nothing to show for it. It was poor management and has left them in the position you describe.

They've still got planning permission and all the necessary approvals, should they ever try to revive the plan in more favourable times. But I'm not into apportioning blame, just explaining how we got here.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

How the * do you lose $7,000,000 without even building anything? What did they spend it on? Surely development doesn't normally work that way.

 

[franjon]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/cr...to-waca-proposal/story-fnhq7arj-1227510815566

I just hope the pitch is Test match suitable. Don't care about other forms being played at the new stadium, but I was really hoping Test matches would stay at the WACA ground.

Dennis Lillee is not happy about it. Neither am I.

 

[The_Reaper]

Nathan Coulter-Nile isn't happy about it

As far as I can tell the general reaction in WA cricket and with members is

- This completely sucks and I hate it or This is pretty sad but was unfortunately inevitable

The 200 million dollar redevelopment won't happen though - if they had access to that sort of cash they wouldn't be moving over to the Perth stadium.

 

[big_e]

How the **** do you lose $7,000,000 without even building anything? What did they spend it on? Surely development doesn't normally work that way.

Because they were done over by people smarter than them.

 

[Stevi_Tigers]

sad day wacca test is always one of the best of the summer runs a plenty but not an absolute road like adelaide

 

[Illinois Nazi]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/cr...to-waca-proposal/story-fnhq7arj-1227510815566

I just hope the pitch is Test match suitable. Don't care about other forms being played at the new stadium, but I was really hoping Test matches would stay at the WACA ground.

I've changed my mind. If the pitches at the WACA continue to be like this, then I might as well at least sit in a comfortable new stadium.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

We're watching the last New Zealand Test and third last Test at the WACA.

 

[Tassieboy]

Again, what is the AFL going to do? Stop playing matches at their flagship ground?

If there was a permanent pitch at the 'G, the AFL would just suck it up - same as they did for most of the last century. There's no good reason why there shouldn't be permanent pitches at all the cricket grounds, doesn't do any harm at the Gabba and SCG.

Drop-in pitches are far worse for cricket than permanent pitches are for footy.

Drop-in pitches are actually an improvement on the rubbish the MCG used to serve up.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

We're watching the last New Zealand Test and third last Test at the WACA.

Possibly even the second-last, as the new stadium is currently well ahead of schedule. It's looking quite possible that the Perth Test in November 2017 could be the first event held there.

 

[The Speaker]

I've changed my mind. If the pitches at the WACA continue to be like this, then I might as well at least sit in a comfortable new stadium.

Not even the WACA, it seems, can escape orders from above.

 

[Scotland]

The WACA is going to be such a lemon venue (moreso than currently) once the new stadium is finished.

Do other states maintain 20,000 seat ovals only for domestic cricket (and the odd minnow test)?

 

[Phone]

Not even the WACA, it seems, can escape orders from above.

well let's not forget that 10 years ago the WACA served up a pitch that left people wondering if Australia would have won if they had picked a second spinner on the slow surface

 

[The Speaker]

well let's not forget that 10 years ago the WACA served up a pitch that left people wondering if Australia would have won if they had picked a second spinner on the slow surface

That was happening every year during The Bad Years. The pitches now are generally closer to what they once were, but I suspect that will need to be totally relaid in order to truly return. Of course, it won't matter if the powers that be have no intention of allowing decent wickets.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

There's no way they will risk 3 day Tests again, so don't hold your breath.

 

[The_Reaper]

There's no way they will risk 3 day Tests again, so don't hold your breath.

If next year against the Saffers is the end then I hope they do it one last time.

You can back AB, Faf and Amla to perform anyway

 

[Resistor]

The WACA is going to be such a lemon venue (moreso than currently) once the new stadium is finished.

Do other states maintain 20,000 seat ovals only for domestic cricket (and the odd minnow test)?

Aurora Stadium and Bellerive oval

 

[The 747]

How the **** do you lose $7,000,000 without even building anything? What did they spend it on? Surely development doesn't normally work that way.

Haven't done business in WA eh?