The president of Bassendean Cricket Club has launched a scathing attack on the condition of Jubilee Reserve, describing the playing fields as a complete disgrace following recent irrigation system works that have left the grounds dangerously dry and unplayable.
Community Hub Left 'Unrecognisable'
A popular sporting reserve in Bassendean that hosts multiple community sports has been transformed into what club officials are calling an unrecognisable and hazardous landscape. Jubilee Reserve in Eden Hill, which normally accommodates soccer, football, cricket and little athletics, underwent essential irrigation upgrades that included new cabling and pits beneath the majority of playing surfaces.
Bassendean Cricket Club president Noel Seneque didn't mince words when assessing the current state of the grounds. "We've got other teams coming to our ground and going, 'What is happening to your ground?'" Mr Seneque told PerthNow. "It's not just cricket - it's little athletics, it's kids playing there, people walking their dogs."
'Walking on Pizza': The Unplayable Surface
The situation has become so dire that Mr Seneque fears the club won't be able to use the facilities at all. "The kids can't play on it because you walk on it and it's like walking on pizza - just crunch, crunch," he described vividly. "We're not even going to be able to play there because it's too dangerous and it's too dry."
Mr Seneque revealed that despite good communication with the Town of Bassendean, little action has been taken to address the club's concerns. He specifically mentioned that while the Town initially promised a water cart if needed during a meeting, when he immediately requested one at their most recent Wednesday meeting, they claimed it wouldn't help.
The curator has been forced to water the valuable turf wickets by hand using scheme water to prevent the $100,000 playing surface from being completely lost. In an email to Labor State MP for Bassendean Dave Kelly, Mr Seneque noted that rain throughout October had helped the reserve survive, but the recent three to four weeks without precipitation and functional sprinklers had made the ground completely unplayable.
Town Response and Future Developments
Town of Bassendean CEO Cameron Woods provided a different perspective, stating that the irrigation upgrade works were on schedule for completion in late November. "We are pleased to inform that as of November 17, the system is operational and automatic watering has recommenced," Mr Woods said.
He explained that the Town deliberately scheduled the upgrades for this time of year to ensure the new system would be operational before summer, acknowledging that during the works there was no practical way to water the playing surfaces.
Mr Woods also noted that clubs had chosen to remain at Jubilee Reserve during the works, reflecting what he called "strong collaboration and shared commitment to improving facilities." The Town had advised the cricket club on November 12 that water was unlikely to be available before weekend games and suggested they consider relocating if concerned about surface conditions.
However, Mr Seneque countered that relocation wasn't a realistic option due to limited facilities and available playing turfs in the area.
The controversy comes as Bassendean announced in June that the town had secured $7.2 million in funding for redevelopment of the Reserve, which will include an upgraded Stan Moses Pavilion with all-abilities access, installation of a lift, improved storage, viewing areas, toilets, unisex changerooms, community meeting spaces, and extension to the Caledonians Soccer club clubrooms.
