$155 million WACA Ground redevelopment gets board approval from board

The board of the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) has approved the $154.7 million redevelopment of its historic home ground in East Perth.

The Ground Improvement Project that will repurpose the ground with a capacity of 10,000 will feature a new pavilion at the northern end of the ground will feature indoor facilities for players and spectators and an upper tier of seating.

A 50 metre pool with waterslides is also included in the works which are expected to start soon, subject to government and legal approval, with an anticipated completion date in September 2024.

The schematic and detailed design stages for the Project have recently been completed and endorsed by the WACA Board while funding for the project was finalised in April this year when the Western Australian Government announced they would provide an additional $32.2 million for the project.

WA Cricket has raised $143.7 million towards the redevelopment, with the Australian Government, Western Australian Government, WA Cricket Foundation and Cricket Australia all contributing to the project.

The body says it is confident it will meet the project shortfall.

However, the board vote last week was not unanimous with some directors and members objecting to the project’s funding arrangements.

The board is also reported to be at a “stalemate” over the release of an external inquiry into governance.

Some board members want all of the findings to be made public, while others favour a summarised version.

The full report, before the findings, will be released to members.

The WACA’s Inverarity and Prindiville stands were both demolished last year, while the WACA’s indoor centre was demolished earlier this year.

State-of-the-art light tower refurbishment was completed mid-year while the playing pitch area was also increased in length to once again allow AFL to be played at the venue.

Images: Artists impressions of the WACA re-development. Credit: WACA.