WACA Wallys

[kranger]

Anything in todays announcement i wonder?

As in the WA premier’s announcement of $5.5b COVID-19 stimulus?

 

[its been done]

The reduced capacity but upgraded facilities for the WACA ground would be fantastic for the AFLW teams.

The shame though, is that the WACA ground wouldn’t be able to be used for the AFLW, as the season would conflict with when the cricket pitch would still be there.

If the start of the AFLW gets moved later in the year (there's a real possibility of that happening with more teams playing now) then the WACA could see use for AFLW without intersecting with cricket

 

[Billy ray]

As in the WA premier’s announcement of $5.5b COVID-19 stimulus?

Yeh

 

[Teen Wolf]

If AFLW is moved to winter, they're just going to play WA games at Burswood as curtain-raisers to the men's games.

Don't fancy the chances of the WACA being fully utilised as a women's footy venue when they can't even capitalise on its huge potential for women's cricket. Should be a locked-in international match there every year (ideally a Test), instead they get beaten out on hosting fixtures by Cairns and Townsville.

 

[RedV3x]

If AFLW is moved to winter, Townsville.

That would make no sense what-so-ever.
It makes even better sense now for the AFLW to capitalise on the summer market.

they're just going to play WA games at Burswood as curtain-raisers to the men's games.

There's no sense in playing curtain-raisers.

Don't fancy the chances of the WACA being fully utilised as a women's footy venue.

Not when the AFLW are more than happy at Fremantle.

they can't even capitalise on its huge potential for women's cricket.

That's cricket's problem and cricket is a completely different sport and a completely different setup.

 

[Teen Wolf]

That would make no sense what-so-ever.

I pretty much agree (and said so a few weeks ago), but the fact is the men's and women's seasons are overlapping more and more each year.

There's no sense in playing curtain-raisers. Not when the AFLW are more than happy at Fremantle.

Hasn't stopped them from playing a Friday 3pm curtain-raiser at Subiaco. Carlton are more than happy to host AFLW games at Princes Park, they were nevertheless fixtured to play a curtain-raiser this year at Docklands. Similar thing happened for Collingwood, GWS and Brisbane this year. Likely to occur more often in the future for all clubs.

That's cricket's problem and cricket is a completely different sport and a completely different setup.

It's a problem the WA government should consider before wasting $40m under the false impression of attracting more events.

 

[kranger]

I decided to have a look at the most recent works done at the WACA ground, which reduced the length of the field to be too short for football. And would likely be reversed to allow football to be played at the ground again. So now I am sharing these images that are from Landgate, with the date they were taken highlighted on the right.

Map Viewer Plus

Landgate’s Map Viewer lets you view and order online aerial imagery covering a large portion of Western Australia captured from 1948 to the present day.

www0.landgate.wa.gov.au

 

[RedV3x]

I pretty much agree

The AFLW is played in summer and needs to spread out more during summer.
The AFLW attracts their own crowd with big crowds at Fremantle, Perth, Carlton and Adelaide.

It's a problem the WA government should consider before wasting $40m under the false impression of attracting more events.

Apart from the expenditure what is the problem you are referring to?

 

[Teen Wolf]

Apart from the expenditure what is the problem you are referring to?

A lack of contractually guaranteed events.

 

[big_e]

They're going the wrong way on this. They should make it more of a cricket centre, similar to Allan Border Field. First take out all of the seating (with one grandstand, similar in size to the ones at Arena Joondalup or Claremont Oval), put grass banks in to make it a nicer place to watch cricket. It's really only used for Shield cricket and women's BBL anyway, no need for the concrete jungle.

And then pump money into the facilities that could be used for cricketers and teams to do specialised or extended training. English counties head to Spain, the UAE and even Zimbabwe for pre-season training in March, no reason why they couldn't come here. And as well as conditioning and net sessions, they could play against our clubs, state squad, etc. It could be an interim base for players heading to off-season T20 or other comps, etc. You could definitely include a pool and other gym facilities (that are also open to the public) in that sort of development.

Saying "we'll host events!" is a nonsense. Most of the outdoor events like concerts are during or just before cricket season, and we have plenty of good venues for those shows anyway. Football's going to damage the ground, and the centre wicket is too hard for anyone to want to play on it.

Stick to cricket.

 

[RedV3x]

A lack of contractually guaranteed events.

For the WACA ?
For $40 million you're not going to get any "big events", but maybe some regular events.
When you have the state-of-the-art $2 billion stadium next door, the WACA will obviously get crumbs at best.
I think Giants stadium was upgraded for $65 million. That obviously has AFL games.
Yes, you do need an excuse to upgrade the WACA, but it cannot simply be football.
It would need football to become sort of hub at the WACA like a permanent Friday night WAFL game
and the AFLW Eagles to play there etc.

 

[Teen Wolf]

but maybe some regular events.

Precisely the point, fanciful maybes will amount to nothing. The state gov shouldn't spend one cent without getting CA to commit to the same deal as it did for North Sydney Oval, at an absolute minimum.

 

[RedV3x]

The state gov shouldn't spend one cent without getting CA to commit to the same deal as it did for North Sydney Oval, at an absolute minimum.

Did they upgrade North Sydney Oval to AFL standard?

 

[Teen Wolf]

Did they upgrade North Sydney Oval to AFL standard?

No, it's used as a rugby league ground in winter, would've hosted an NRL game this season if not for unforeseen circumstances. Now please stop responding to me with repetitive non sequuntur.

 

[kranger]

No, it's used as a rugby league ground in winter, would've hosted an NRL game this season if not for unforeseen circumstances. Now please stop responding to me with repetitive non sequuntur.

I think you have mostly missed the point of the proposed redevelopment at the WACA Ground.

The WACA is proposing to decrease the capacity, and replace falling apart infrastructure with smaller and cheaper to maintain facilities at the WACA Ground. Which reduces the ongoing operating costs for the existing numerous events they already host at the ground which they operate. A facility as the State Sporting Association they need (similar to Baseball Park in Thornlie, or the separate Rugby, Athletic, Netball and Basketball facilities in the Western Suburbs or the recently promised Football West facility in East Cannington).

And they are looking at including community facilities such as an aquatic centre and function rooms to benefit all the new residents in the East Perth area. And they are looking to allow feature WAFL game’s to be played which will make it a multi-purpose facility, which makes it more sustainable.

Those other items are only cherry’s on top, as the main point is replacing falling apart facilities with new and cheaper to maintain facilities.

 

[Teen Wolf]

I think you have mostly missed the point of the proposed redevelopment at the WACA Ground.

The WACA is proposing to decrease the capacity, and replace falling apart infrastructure with smaller and cheaper to maintain facilities at the WACA Ground. Which reduces the ongoing operating costs for the existing numerous events they already host at the ground which they operate. A facility as the State Sporting Association they need (similar to Baseball Park in Thornlie, or the separate Rugby, Athletic, Netball and Basketball facilities in the Western Suburbs or the recently promised Football West facility in East Cannington).

And they are looking at including community facilities such as an aquatic centre and function rooms to benefit all the new residents in the East Perth area. And they are looking to allow feature WAFL game’s to be played which will make it a multi-purpose facility, which makes it more sustainable.

Those other items are only cherry’s on top, as the main point is replacing falling apart facilities with new and cheaper to maintain facilities.

Not at all, you've summed up my thoughts pretty well. $75m cricket ground redevelopment with no guarantee of increasing from the current schedule of 0 "lower-drawing Tests", 0 women's internationals and 0 Big Bash matches this summer. Who could say no to that.

 

[kranger]

Not at all, you've summed up my thoughts pretty well. $75m cricket ground redevelopment with no guarantee of increasing from the current schedule of 0 "lower-drawing Tests", 0 women's internationals and 0 Big Bash matches this summer. Who could say no to that.

So if there was to be no guarantee of more events, what would be your preference?

I would imagine there would be two options, leave the ground in its current condition, which involves unnecessarily higher operating costs. Or demolish the old facilities and be left with insufficient facilities.

Both of which wouldn’t provide the new community facilities for the locals, or the ability to play night WAFL games.

I’m just not sure what your preferred alternative would be with no guarantees.

 

[Teen Wolf]

So if there was to be no guarantee of more events, what would be your preference?

I would imagine there would be two options, leave the ground in its current condition, which involves unnecessarily higher operating costs. Or demolish the old facilities and be left with insufficient facilities.

Both of which wouldn’t provide the new community facilities for the locals, or the ability to play night WAFL games.

I’m just not sure what your preferred alternative would be with no guarantees.

In that scenario, part 1 of my preference would be for the state government to say "not our ground, not our problem". Part 2 of my preference would be for the WACA to do as much as they can with whatever money they have, and if that means getting more funding from the Feds or some other sucker then so be it.

 

[RedV3x]

No,

If they had upgraded North Sydney Oval to AFL standards then that could have proved useful as a package.
But alas they didn't. They still could of course and IMO North Sydney Oval could be good for Australian Football (once fixed).

 

[RedV3x]

In that scenario, part 1 of my preference would be for the state government to say "not our ground, not our problem".

part 1 of any reality preference would be for the federal government to say "not our ground, not our problem"

The federal governments policy has always been "no pay W.A.".
If the feds didn't chip in for the state-of-the-art multi-purpose Perth Stadium what chance has cricket-purpose, low-capacity and poor viewing WACA got?

 

[Teen Wolf]

part 1 of any reality preference would be for the federal government to say "not our ground, not our problem"

The federal governments policy has always been "no pay W.A.".
If the feds didn't chip in for the state-of-the-art multi-purpose Perth Stadium what chance has cricket-purpose, low-capacity and poor viewing WACA got?

? The Federal government has already made a $30m commitment, mate. And even if they hadn't, I still don't know what your point is!

 

[RedV3x]

And even if they hadn't, I still don't know what your point is!

The federal government is quick to take W.A. money and give nothing back.
It's the state government that drives sporting projects in W.A.

 

[holybishop]

Dear Members,



It is with great excitement I can inform you that the Premier and the Minister for Sport and Recreation will tomorrow announce a $30 million funding commitment towards the WACA Ground Improvement Project.



The funding commitment is part of a sport and community infrastructure investment which sits within the WA Recovery Plan that is being announced at 11.00am in Joondalup.



We will host a press conference on Monday at 8:30am at the WACA Ground to express our gratitude to the State Government for its funding commitment, which marks a very exciting step forward for the future of WA cricket.



The WACA Ground is the oldest and most famous sporting infrastructure in WA and importantly the Home of Cricket for our great state.



The WACA Ground Improvement Project will transform the Ground into a boutique venue that will provide modern high performance and patron facilities.



The Project will allow for more community and sporting events all year round and bring football back to the Ground. Importantly, these improvements will provide you, our valued Members, with increased access to the much-loved venue.



Tomorrow’s funding announcement means that we have successfully secured $60 million in funding from the State and Federal Government.



This funding coupled with the $4 million that Cricket Australia will provide and our commitment to raise $10 million through the WA Cricket Foundation, means I can say with confidence that our vision to create a sustainable community and sporting hub with cricket at its heart will become a reality.



Once again, thank you for your ongoing support for the WACA Ground and our vision to improve the venue so it can service the needs of cricket and the community for generations to come.



Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Tuck Waldron

 

[kranger]

Here’s a link to the Premiers Announcement.

Media statements | Western Australian Government

Media statements

www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au

The McGowan Government has announced one of the most significant investments in sport and community infrastructure in Western Australian history, with a $300 million package as part of the WA Recovery Plan.

The historic plan will benefit a range of projects throughout the State and create a pipeline of WA jobs, with local small businesses and contractors also set to benefit.

The $130 million sports facilities package includes $30 million towards the major redevelopment of the iconic WACA Ground, including a community aquatic centre.

The State Government funding matches the Federal Government's contribution, and is contingent on the City of Perth providing a funding contribution towards the community project.

 

[kranger]

The announcement of State Government committed funding got me thinking about how we got here to the current proposal.

Back in 2001 following AFL ceasing to be played at the WACA Ground, the WACA decreased the length of the playing field to better suit cricket (no longer being long enough for football). Which you can see aerial images of, on the previous page, which really improved the southern stands and the ground level.

WACA Redevelopment Phase 1 | Mixed-Use / Multi Residential | Portfolio | CHRISTOU

From 2007 the WACA sought to upgrade the northern stands to latest standards, costing over $250m, and looked to getting some funding from selling land off for apartments and commercial buildings to the east and west, with differing designs over the years culminating in apartments being sold in 2014.

WACA Redevelopment Phase 2 | Mixed-Use / Multi Residential | Portfolio | CHRISTOU

But with the new Perth Stadium under construction in 2016, ideas started changing, with focus turning towards providing community facilities to leverage some government funding, whilst retaining large matches at an increased capacity WACA ground.

https://www.waca.com.au/waca/-/media/57A044AA4E31455C871452C529750892.ashx

But with the WACA committed to having bigger matches at Perth Stadium, in 2018 they started investigating the most sustainable way of developing the WACA ground.

https://www.waca.com.au/waca/about/-/media/330D791BC2C54233B03C06E60FE5D143.ashx

Which is how we have ended up with the WACA seeking a redevelop of the ground to a smaller capacity with improved facilities on the northern side that will cater for the community level events and have community facilities. Shade would also be provided for the eastern and western grass banks. This would be done with government funding with no land sales, whilst the bigger events are played at Perth Stadium.

WACA Ground Improvement Project | WACA Western Australia Cricket Association

www.waca.com.au

I hope everyone enjoyed the ride.