The Western Australian Cricket Association has announced its vision to create a community destination with today’s release of the WACA Ground Improvement Project plans.
Plans for the home of cricket in WA include a piazza that will provide the community with a multi-purpose venue to host year-round events like carols by candlelight, noodle markets and food stalls, and fringe shows.
A new High Performance centre will include a public café and fitness facility situated alongside the WA elite team’s gym so the public can work out while watching their favourite Perth Scorchers players train.
Space has been allocated for sports science services that have been identified as lacking in the City of Perth precinct.
The current museum will be replaced with a reinvigorated and modern museum that honours the Ground’s rich heritage and will secure the WACA Ground as a must-see tourist destination.
The Ground itself will be transformed into a boutique sporting venue that retains its ICC Accreditation as an International Cricket Venue and complements Optus Stadium with a permanent capacity of around 10, 000 and an event overlay of 15,000.
Almost 50 days of cricket will be played at the WACA Ground next season, including the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup while major Men’s matches will be held at Optus Stadium.
Re-ovalisation will allow for AFL and other sports to make use of the Ground and with its close proximity to Optus Stadium the WACA Ground can serve as a training facility for visiting teams such as Chelsea F.C. This pairing will enhance the Stadium’s ability to bid for events and provide the State economic benefits.
The WACA Ground Improvements include a 10-lane indoor cricket facility to be used by all players from community to elite.
WACA Chief Executive Christina Matthews said the Project is well overdue.
“It’s no secret that the WACA Ground has fallen behind the standard of other major cricket and sporting venues in Australia,” she said.
“We have an incredible opportunity to provide Perth with a modern boutique cricket venue, as well as a building a community destination were everyone can enjoy the benefits.
“Imagine watching a concert in the middle of the iconic WACA Ground, or going to the gym and seeing Meg Lanning or Mitch Marsh working out.
“There were a number of unknowns when we looked at improvements to the WACA Ground in previous years. We now have more certainty on the future, we know what cricket content will remain here and we know what community facilities we can offer.”
To create a sustainable community and sporting hub with cricket at its heart the Project has been costed at approximately $75 million.
The WACA has committed to raising $10 million in Philanthropy through the WA Cricket Foundation, Cricket Australia has committed $4 million, and the Association is seeking $60 million from State and Federal Government.