WACA Wallys

[holybishop]

Looks a lot more than 10k?

That's the beauty of small boutique grounds. Crowds often look and feel bigger than what they are because they are fuller %-wise. Even at the new stadium if they were to only open the first level you'll still have towers of empty seats above which will detract from the experience.

 

[hitthepost]

Towards the end of the Australian innings on radio they said it was about 8.5k but I guess a few more would be rolling up after work.

Which really makes it a shame that the game is scheduled to be the same time on TV in NSW/Victoria. If they started at 2.00 WST the after-work crowd would get a lot more play.
Plus it'd go nice and late into Sydney for a Friday night.

 

[Matele]

Really hope cricket doesn't leave the WACA, the only thing its in dire need of is shade. Saw a BBL final last year and couldn't see shit for a good 30 minutes because of the sun.

Would rather a packed WACA then a half empty 60k stadium for cricket. WACA atmosphere is great, I'll definitely be going to some games this year.

 

[bombersfan4000]

Dear holybishop

Welcome to the first edition of Vision 2030, a regular newsletter to keep WACA Members up to date with the work and progress of the WACA’s Future Development Strategy Committee (FDSC), appointed by the WACA’s Board to consider all options for providing viable facilities that will underpin cricket's future in Western Australia.

On Tuesday 12 August more than 100 Members attending Vision 2030’s first Members’ Forum heard FDSC Independent Chairman Michael Smith outline the extensive and robust process the FDSC will undertake in the next five months, before submitting its recommendation to the Board in December. In addition, FDSC member and MC for the evening, Christian Porter MP provided insight into the establishment and structure of the FDSC.

Members also had the opportunity to put questions about the process to Michael and the Committee. Recognising that many Members were not able to attend the Forum, we have set up an online site, especially for Members, to provide your own ideas for the future of WA cricket. Simply go to the WACA website www.waca.com.au/vision2030 and click on Have Your Say.

This site also has useful information about Vision 2030, including credentials of the FDSC members, Terms of Reference, key dates and frequently asked questions; as well as the latest developments and progress with the review including the Tender Document seeking submissions from leading Perth business consulting firms for the provision of independent business planning services.

Immediately after the Forum, WACA staff conducted a survey of Members to capture their initial thoughts on the night. I am pleased to inform you that nearly 90 per cent of Members were positive about the robust planning model and most agreed they had a better understanding of the process. There was also a strong endorsement of the calibre of the people on the FDSC and a belief that they can get the job done.

Other comments included:

• “It's a good start to gather Members at the beginning of the process and not at the end.”
• “At long last.”
• “Long overdue. You have severely tested the loyalty of your Members.”
• “The biggest challenge will be revenue generation needed to realise the vision.”
• “Wondering about the timeline. Seems very tight to make such a complex decision.”

This is all part of the WACA’s commitment to engage and communicate with Members throughout this important program.

Key points from Michael Smith’s presentation

Following are some of the key aspects of the presentation:

FDSC’s Terms of Reference

• Provide options for the redevelopment and/or construction of infrastructure at the WACA Ground to provide facilities for cricket and other sports as may be appropriate; for the benefit of Members and the public at large; and
• Identification of any other opportunities for the Association that will benefit cricket and that may be external to the Ground, but which, if pursued can assist in achieving future funding for the redevelopment and construction of infrastructure at the Ground.

Mr Smith said that to promote and grow cricket and develop the game at elite level, the WACA was constrained by the poor state of the Ground and facilities/amenities, declining member satisfaction and low patron satisfaction.

In addition he pointed to other challenges, including:

• The poor state of the WACA ground facilities when compared to the new Perth Arena, nib Stadium, Adelaide Oval and the future new Perth Stadium.
• Access to State Government funding, which was constrained and would be for some time.
• Opportunities to raise capital through development which were limited at present due to the glut of apartment and commercial developments.
• Identifying a niche for the WACA in the new stadia landscape.

Mr Smith also said that the new Perth Stadium, while creating new options for cricket, presented both opportunities and risks for the WACA.

In describing the FDSC process for the next five months he pointed to the importance of stakeholder engagement, in particular with State, Federal and Local Governments, Cricket Australia, the WA Football Commission, WACA Members and WACA patrons.

He also described how the FDSC will appoint a major consulting firm to undertake a rigorous business planning process embracing financial modeling and options for collaboration with the WAFC, refining the options and finalising the business plan.

Key dates during the next five months are:

• Mid October: Financial modeling
• End November: Business case
• December 2014: Final business plan
• December 2014: Report to the WACA Board

Other points of interest for Members

From the number and range of questions there is clearly a high level of interest and expectation among the Members. Following are some of the responses to those questions as they relate specifically to the Members.

• Mr Smith confirmed the FDSC would seek Members’ contributions and thoughts during the process in relation to the appropriateness of ground design for specific forms of the game. The WACA website has been updated to provide a feedback mechanism for Members.

• Mr Smith stressed that it is not possible to please everyone with the final outcome, but highlighted the urgency to do something now in relation to the Ground.

• He said that the final recommendation would be based on clear, clinical thinking using all the facts and a robust business planning process to achieve the best outcome for cricket in WA.

• Although commercial terms have not yet been clarified to enable an agreement to be reached on staging cricket at the new Perth Stadium, CEO Christina Matthews reaffirmed to Members that ongoing discussions with Government were aiming to secure accommodation for 10,000 members and their guests in the new Perth Stadium with appropriate dining room and bar facilities, seating and other amenities similar to the MCG. She also advised that the seating would be behind the bowler’s arm. And, a key part of this is that membership would be for the Association and not just the ground so that it would be fully transferable.

• In the same response Michael Smith confirmed the importance and significance of meeting Member expectations, saying that “if you can’t make this work for Members, you can’t make it work.”

Keeping you informed

The WACA will continue to keep you informed throughout this important business planning process. I encourage you to visit the WACA website to keep up to date and to contribute to the process with your ideas.

Thank you for your continued interest and participation.



Stephen Hauville

WACA Deputy Chairman

whats the WA government like in handing out funding for sporting facilities?.
here in QLD & more so in NSW, there is an open cheque book for major stadiums & club grounds specially for the NRL.
the WACA already has a few decent stands, all it would need would be some shaded areas built as well as as a few extra bars & toilets & so on

 

[holybishop]

whats the WA government like in handing out funding for sporting facilities?.
here in QLD & more so in NSW, there is an open cheque book for major stadiums & club grounds specially for the NRL.
the WACA already has a few decent stands, all it would need would be some shaded areas built as well as as a few extra bars & toilets & so on

The WACA owns the WACA ground outright, rather than being a state government owned stadium leased to the sporting body, so the government doesn't provide any funding towards the WACA. The Government is putting in $1 billion dollars into the new stadium though.

 

[Justinpa1]

Its amazing to think that a game of cricket with the 2nd and 3rd ranked teams in the world at the waca (in a World Cup season) can only draw 10500 and the Perth Wildcats can draw at least 13000 at Perth Arena!

Disgraceful on Channel 9 for making this a Day game, starting at 11:15am on a week day. Surely make this a proper D/N game starting at 1330 WST and make Sunday's game a day game to appease the Eastern states.

 

[lewigie]

It will be absolutely packed this Sunday.

 

[The_Reaper]

Also right in the middle of uni exams.

Students are often the only people with the time to rock up on working days

 

[Kwality]

Also right in the middle of uni exams.

Students are often the only people with the time to rock up on working days

for some an early mark Fri afternoon, but why a 11.15 start ?

 

[JimDocker]

ODI's have been full of drunken bogans for years. I always go to at least one day of the test match. I went to a couple of Scorchers games last year and have joined as a member this year.

It was crazy to play a day game on a Friday.

 

[fabulousphil]

$16.50 for a roast beef roll at the WACA makes me want to spew

 

[Rob]

Its hard to see an ODI getting less than 10k at a genuine world class venue, as long as they don't schedule a day game on a weekday again.

Don't underestimate what a complete dungheap the WACA is. Hard to get to, bitch to get out of, and the facilities in most of the ground are terrible. As has been said, more people went to the basketball last night, partly because the venue is so great. All well and good to talk about the WACA pitch when you never have to go the ground (or in the commentators' case, get to watch from the VIP boxes).

 

[holybishop]

Its hard to see an ODI getting less than 10k at a genuine world class venue, as long as they don't schedule a day game on a weekday again.

Don't underestimate what a complete dungheap the WACA is. Hard to get to, bitch to get out of, and the facilities in most of the ground are terrible. As has been said, more people went to the basketball last night, partly because the venue is so great. All well and good to talk about the WACA pitch when you never have to go the ground (or in the commentators' case, get to watch from the VIP boxes).

You've made your feeling well know about how bad you think the WACA facilities are but it's not a major factor in turning people away. The Big Bash and Ashes sellouts shows that people will come to the WACA when good games on. The basketball last night was a night game so was better timed for people who finished work. Plus like the AFL you'll have season ticket holders who'll be more likely to turn up to a game that they've already paid for in advance. The WACA has two ODI's in the space of two days, so rather than taking Friday off work or pulling the kids out of school people will just go to the Sunday game. If there was no game on Sunday then the Friday ODI would have been closer to a sellout.

 

[Power Raid]

$16.50 for a roast beef roll at the WACA makes me want to spew

That should be a criminal offence to charge outrageous prices.

It should be a requirement to provide access to healthy food and water at reasonable prices.

 

[fabulousphil]

You've made your feeling well know about how bad you think the WACA facilities are but it's not a major factor in turning people away. The Big Bash and Ashes sellouts shows that people will come to the WACA when good games on. The basketball last night was a night game so was better timed for people who finished work. Plus like the AFL you'll have season ticket holders who'll be more likely to turn up to a game that they've already paid for in advance. The WACA has two ODI's in the space of two days, so rather than taking Friday off work or pulling the kids out of school people will just go to the Sunday game. If there was no game on Sunday then the Friday ODI would have been closer to a sellout.

I understand the WACA has about 10,000 members who have to line up and are possibly denied a seat should they be in the back of a large line.

 

[Kram]

That should be a criminal offence to charge outrageous prices.

It should be a requirement to provide access to healthy food and water at reasonable prices.

Can you not just take your own food in?

 

[holybishop]

I understand the WACA has about 10,000 members who have to line up and are possibly denied a seat should they be in the back of a large line.

The ones who line up before the gates open are the ones who want to claim the best seats in the Lillee-Marsh Stand. Not every WACA member lines up that early though. I dont as I like to move around a lot.

 

[The_Reaper]

Can you not just take your own food in?

Plus there are drink fountains and if you're really desperate just walk or take the bus down Hay St during the lunch break.

 

[Hellgood]

Plus there are drink fountains and if you're really desperate just walk or take the bus down Hay St during the lunch break.

Usually what I do for the test. That or head over to Claisebrook where there are a few good options for lunch.

 

[holybishop]

Plus there are drink fountains and if you're really desperate just walk or take the bus down Hay St during the lunch break.

The Subway down the hill is very popular

 

[Kram]

Doesn't the SCG actually not allow food and even water to get taken into the ground?

 

[Pessimistic]

That should be a criminal offence to charge outrageous prices.

It should be a requirement to provide access to healthy food and water at reasonable prices.

How about water for free ?

 

[holybishop]

I dont think I've ever bought a bottle of water at the WACA. Plenty of free ice water available at the bars.

 

[Power Raid]

Usually what I do for the test. That or head over to Claisebrook where there are a few good options for lunch.

That's where I live

 

[The_Reaper]

How about water for free ?

There is free water at the WACA