Historic WACA Ground Unveils Major $164.5 Million Revamp to Public
The iconic WACA Ground in Perth is set to embark on a new era, with its $164.5 million redevelopment officially opening to the public on March 1. This significant transformation comes just five days before the venue hosts the Women's Test match between Australia and India, scheduled from March 6 to 9, marking a pivotal moment in its storied history.
Transformation into a Boutique Multi-Use Venue
The redevelopment has radically altered the WACA, evolving it into what is described as a boutique multi-use sport and entertainment venue. Central to this upgrade is a 10,000-seat stadium, designed to enhance the spectator experience while maintaining the ground's intimate atmosphere. Beyond the stadium, the precinct boasts an array of new facilities aimed at serving both elite athletes and the local community.
Key additions include a 10-lane indoor cricket and multi-sport centre, providing year-round training opportunities. For recreational use, there is a six-lane, 50-meter outdoor pool complete with water slides, alongside an indoor learn-to-swim pool. The venue also features a public cafe, a community health and fitness centre with views overlooking the ground, and a revitalised museum that celebrates the WACA's rich heritage and contributions to cricket.
Comprehensive Community and Elite Facilities
Further enhancing its appeal, the project includes a 98-seat auditorium, multi-purpose function and meeting spaces, an all-abilities playground, sensory rooms, and Changing Places facilities to ensure accessibility for all visitors. For elite players, dedicated high-performance facilities have been installed, comprising a gym, change rooms, and recovery spaces. Notably, Aboriginal cultural narratives have been thoughtfully integrated into the planning and design, acknowledging the site's cultural significance.
This redevelopment is a major component of the $1.7 billion Perth City Deal, a collaborative effort funded by the Federal and State governments, the City of Perth, Cricket Australia, and the WA Cricket Foundation, with additional support from Lotterywest. This partnership underscores the project's importance to both sporting and community development in Western Australia.
Council Decision on Rates Concession
As excitement builds for the ground's reopening, the Perth City Council has made a decision regarding rates concessions for the WACA site. At a recent meeting, the council approved a phased three-year rates concession, which will cost ratepayers approximately $347,450. Deputy Lord Mayor David Goncalves attempted to amend the proposal to grant a 100 per cent concession for the 2025/26 financial year, but this motion was defeated by a vote of 3-5.
Michael Kent, the city's chief of finance, noted that the original concession arrangement totals around $350,000, whereas the proposed amendment would have increased this to $570,000. He emphasized that transitioning the WACA to fully contribute commercial rates in the future would be a satisfactory outcome for the city. Previously, WACA chief executive John Stephenson had requested a 100 per cent rates exemption for 10 years, valued at $2.5 million, but a council report deemed this proposal not in the spirit of fair burden-sharing, as it would place the financial shortfall on ratepayers.
The WACA's suggested rate relief proposal, submitted on February 4, was not granted by the council, highlighting the balance between supporting the venue's redevelopment and ensuring fiscal responsibility. This decision reflects the city's commitment to managing public funds while fostering the growth of key cultural and sporting assets.
