$100 million WACA Ground redevelopment gets State Government contribution for swimming pool under WA Recovery Plan

The $100 million redevelopment of the WACA Ground will now include a 50m public swimming pool, following a $30 million contribution from the State Government. Premier Mark McGowan will today announce the contribution towards the project as part of a $300 million investment in sport and community infrastructure under the WA Recovery Plan. Mr McGowan said yesterday the addition of a community aquatic centre, including water slides, would attract more people to the city. “The WACA is the traditional home of WA cricket and this project will make sure that traditions lives on,” Mr McGowan said. “Funding this project as part of the WA Recovery Plan makes economic and social sense. The redevelopment will help drive economic activity and provide a long-lasting benefit to the community, not just in the city but across our suburbs. “This exciting project will create jobs and energise the area around the iconic East Perth cricket ground. “The addition of a community aquatic centre will attract more people into our city, adding vibrancy and making it more liveable, especially for families.” The Federal Government has already pledged $30 million towards the project, with the WACA also in talks with the City of Perth to kick in another $25 million towards the redevelopment. The ground has been described as a national treasure, but the arrival of Optus Stadium has resulted in it needing to redefine itself — not just for cricket, but as a community facility. The vision for the WACA Ground involves transforming it into a boutique sporting venue that maintains ICC accreditation as an international cricket venue and complements Optus Stadium with a permanent capacity of 10,000, which can be increased to 15,000. The project includes an indoor cricket and multi-sport facility, a new pavilion and re-invigorated museum. The ground will continue to be the home of Sheffield Shield, one-day domestic cricket and events like the women’s Big Bash. It will also host under-19s Australian championships and women’s internationals. Major works on the redevelopment begin later this year. WACA boss Christina Matthews said yesterday she had always hoped a public swimming pool would be part of the redevelopment. She said a shortage of funds had previously stopped this from coming to fruition. She said the WACA was in talks with the City of Perth about a $25 million contribution towards the project. “We have a commitment in principal (from the City of Perth) for $20-$25 million,” she said. Ms Matthews said a site at the north-west corner of the ground, near Elizabeth Gardens, was proposed for the pool, which she said would bring families to the area. “When we first started the concept a few years ago, we had always said to local council and the State Government that we had room for a pool if they were interested and wanted to invest in that,” she said. “What the pool does is turn this (redevelopment of the WACA) into truly what we wanted, which is a community facility. “There is something for cricket, as well as people who live in the area and people in the city who can use the pool. “It’s a spot that will bring families into the area. “The pool now makes this the centrepiece of the East Perth area.” Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said a redeveloped WACA, with a swimming pool, would add a new dimension to East Perth and central Perth.