East Fremantle Croquet Club's Milestone Celebration Overshadowed by Facility Upgrade Controversy
The East Fremantle Croquet Club, which is currently commemorating its remarkable 120th anniversary with plans for 120 celebratory events, finds itself at the center of a contentious local government decision. The Town of East Fremantle has abruptly terminated a substantial contract to upgrade croquet facilities at the East Fremantle Community Park, casting uncertainty over the club's future development and tournament hosting capabilities.
Contract Termination Amidst Anniversary Festivities
In a closed-door session on March 17, the East Fremantle Council voted 5-2 to cancel a $290,000 contract awarded to NewGround/Sports Turf Construction on February 20. This contract was specifically intended to upgrade playing surfaces originally installed during the EFCP's development phase. The decision directly contradicts a staff report that explicitly warned council members about potential exposure to contractual, financial, delivery, governance, and reputational risks associated with making changes at this advanced stage of the project.
The official reason documented in council minutes for terminating the agreement was the perceived desirability to "step back" from the initiative and conduct a comprehensive review of all available land in the surrounding area. This rationale emerged despite earlier unsuccessful attempts by Councilor Cliff Collinson to allow the planned works to proceed, with his motion defeated 2-5 during deliberations.
Club Leadership Expresses Concerns and Aspirations
East Fremantle Croquet Club President Alistair Hutchison addressed the council at the meeting's commencement, clearly stating the club's strong preference to remain at the EFCP location with renovated existing greens and additional courts developed on their former grounds. The club actively engages in association croquet, golf croquet, and gateball weekly, alongside regular practice sessions, serving as a vital community hub for enthusiasts.
"If we had four good courts we would be in a good position to be the centre for croquet in WA," Mr. Hutchison emphasized, highlighting the club's current limitation of only two and a half non-standard courts compared to the four Australian croquet standard courts required for hosting large club, state, or national tournaments. He further noted the club's robust financial position and willingness to make significant contributions toward proposed improvements.
Club Secretary Lyn Telfer reinforced these points, explaining that while players enjoy the club's atmosphere, many must travel to venues in Como or Cambridge for competitions due to inadequate facilities. A club representative also identified existing playing surfaces as problematic, containing a mixture of multiple grasses and weeds that compromise gameplay quality.
Administrative Warnings and Risk Assessments
The reconsideration of the resurfacing contract was initiated after Councilor Mark Wilson requested detailed advice regarding implications if the town halted or deferred the upgrade works. His inquiry focused on the financial performance of the EFCP, the timing of additional expenditures, and exploration of alternative options.
During a forum on March 3, Town CEO Jonathan Throssell cautioned council members to "carefully consider" the substantial risks associated with deferring or canceling the contract. The staff report outlined multiple potential consequences, including:
- Claims for delay, standby, demobilization, or remobilization costs
- Recovery of expenses related to materials or subcontractor commitments
- Termination-related legal claims
- No immediate improvement to croquet facilities
Mr. Throssell had previously informed the contractor that the town would not authorize further works while the matter remained under consideration. The situation is further complicated by an existing croquet license agreement involving the town, the croquet club, and EFCP operator Belgravia Health & Leisure Group, adding layers of contractual complexity to any changes in direction.
As the East Fremantle Croquet Club continues its 120th anniversary celebrations, the terminated contract creates significant uncertainty about whether the facility will ever achieve its potential as Western Australia's premier croquet destination, despite the club's demonstrated community support and financial readiness to contribute to enhancement projects.
