All your questions relating to the WACA Ground Improvement Project answered. FAQS Will the aquatic facility go ahead?The WA Government remains committed to delivering a public aquatic facility as part of the WACA Ground Improvement project and Perth City Deal. The City of Perth have provided a one-off $25m Capital to the WA State Government for the provision of a pool at the WACA Ground site.WA Cricket welcomes the State Governments commitment to address the need for an aquatic facility which will provide residents and workers with public facilities not available in our capital city.Who will pay for the aquatic facility?From the outset, the WACA has been clear with all parties:1. The State Government must agree to fully fund the capital cost of the aquatic facility;2. The State Government must agree to fully fund the annual operational costs for the aquatic facilities (aquatic facilities to be cost-neutral for WACA); and3. The State Government must agree to allow for provision for a sinking fund for the aquatic facility.WA Cricket is supportive of the opportunity to partner with the State and Federal Government to provide a much-needed community amenity at its iconic Ground. However, WA Cricket will not be responsible for any capital, ongoing or maintenance costs relating to the aquatic facility.What is the WGIP vision?Our vision to create a sustainable community and sporting hub with cricket at its heart will be realised through the WACA Ground Improvement Project (WGIP).The iconic WACA Ground will be transformed into a 10,000 seat, multisport and community facility that;• Extends the aboriginal cultural narrative from Matagarup Bridge and Optus Stadium;• Drives improved community and social outcomes• Recognises our history and rich cricketing heritage• Maintains our ICC Accreditation as an International Cricket Venue• Complements and drives our WA Cricket Foundation inclusion programs; and• Deliver jobs and liveability outcomes for East Perth.How will the WGIP change the WACA Ground?The WGIP is focused on catering to the needs of cricket now and into the future through improvements on the northern side of the Ground.The WGIP will see the Inverarity and Prindiville stands removed to make way for one new central pavilion on the northern end of the Ground.The Lillee-Marsh Stand, Players’ Pavilion and South West Pavilion will be retained for their remaining useful life. Further, both the east and west grass banks will remain.The WACA oval will be lengthened to allow other sports to share in this iconic ground.Which buildings/stands will be demolished?• Inverarity Stand• Prindiville Stand• Langers Loft• Sails Café• WACA Museum• Indoor cricket centre including indoor practice wickets• Turf Shed• Barry Shepherd Entry and Box Office (western entry)• The electronic scoreboard will be replaced with a new video board and relocated to the Western end of the ground, and the current manual scoreboard will remain in its current location.When will the WGIP commence construction?Early work commenced in August 2021 with the lengthening of the oval and demolition of the Inverarity stand.The schematic design stage was completed on 16 March 2021 with detailed design complete in July 2021. Design and plans have been approved for development approval through Development WA for the main works. A subsequent development application for the aquatic facility will be submitted at a later date.Demolition works have begun, with anticipated project completion in mid-2025.Is an aquatic facility part of the WGIP?The inclusion of an aquatic facility formed part of the $166 million Perth City Deal which was signed between the Federal Government, State Government and the City of Perth.The WA Government remains committed to delivering a public aquatic facility as part of the WACA Ground Improvement project and Perth City Deal. The City of Perth have provided a one-off $25m Capital to the WA State Government for the provision of a pool at the WACA Ground site.WA Cricket welcomes the State Governments commitment to address the need for an aquatic facility which will provide residents and workers with public facilities not available in our capital city.How long will the construction take to complete?Demolition works have begun, with anticipated project completion in mid-2025.The Project Team have worked hard to ensure works do not interfere with this season fixtures and have been integral in identifying a scope of early works that can occur simultaneously.What is the WGIP budget and who is funding it?Thanks to our funding partners, WA Cricket has already secured $110.2 million for the project, and through the WA Cricket Foundation will raise the remainder.Note: Funds committed by the Federal and State Government form part of Perth City Deal Project. The City of Perth have provided $25m in Capital to the WA State Government for the provision of an aquatic facility at the WACA Ground. Funding Partner Amount Status Federal Government $30,000,000 Confirmed State Government $65,200,000 Confirmed Cricket Australia $4,000,000 Confirmed WA Cricket Foundation $11,000,000 In Progress How will the Members Reserve be impacted by the WGIP construction?The Members Reserve will not be impacted by the WGIP as construction is on the northern side of the WACA Ground.Members will continue to have exclusive access to the Lillee Marsh Stand, the air-conditioned comfort of the Boundary Room and Long Bar and seating in front of the Players pavilion.The South West Pavilion next to the Lillee Marsh Stand will be upgraded with food and beverage facilities to host the public.How does the WGIP impact membership?The WGIP will value add to WA Cricket membership by producing a sustainable community and sporting hub, creating a year-round destination for Members and the community.The new facility will include a 7-day a week café, new and improved museum, community health club, community sports medicine and rehabilitation centre, potentially including an after-hours GP, a 10-lane indoor cricket and multi-sport facility, an all-ability playground and sensory rooms.The WGIP will deliver new, state-of-the-art high-performance facilities for the Men’s and Women’s elite teams including a gym, match day change rooms and recovery facilities.These high-performance amenities will also be available for use by pathway players and community cricketers.WA Cricket will continue to review and improve all membership benefits once the new facilities are completed.Current benefits include discount on food and beverage at the WACA Ground, discounted merchandise and facility hire fees, complimentary WACA Ground tours, exclusive Member’s news and announcements.What other sports/events will be hosted at the WACA Ground and will WA Cricket Membership include access to those games?The oval lengthening works to the WACA Ground will enable Australian Rules football and other sports to be played at the WACA Ground.Currently, WA Cricket Membership provides for entry to cricket matches played at the WACA Ground and at Optus Stadium.Access to other sporting matches at the WACA Ground will be considered and determined in due course.What will the capacity of the improved WACA Ground be?The WACA Ground will be reduced to a 10,000-capacity venue with an event overlay capacity of 15,000.Will WGIP impact WA Cricket’s ability to host Test Matches between non-Tier 1 touring nations?The WACA Ground will maintain its ICC Accreditation and be able to host all non-tier 1 touring nations.Will WA Cricket relinquish any land ownership through WGIP?The Western Australian Cricket Association Limited owns all the WACA Ground land freehold.There is no sale of land as part of the WGIP and the WACA will retain all land ownership.What facilities will be included in the WGIP?The WACA Ground Improvement Project will deliver:• Transformation of East Perth into a vibrant activated precinct that can be enjoyed by the community year-round, increasing the visability and accessibility of this iconic Ground.• One of the most welcoming all abilities sport venues in the country.• A new pavilion at the northern side of the Ground, that will include administration for WA Cricket and the Polly Farmer Foundation.• A multi-purpose function and event centre with outside deck overlooking Gloucester Park and seating with unparalleled views of the iconic WACA surface.• 10,000 seat venue with flexibility to hold the live entertainment and sporting events.• Infusion of Aboriginal cultural narrative into the planning and design of the WGIP.• A community resort style pool, including a six lane 50m pool, 25m indoor learn to swim pool and water leisure slides and activities.• Dedicated high performance facilities for elite players, including gym, change rooms and recovery facilities.• A 10-lane indoor cricket, multi-sport and performance centre.• A community health, fitness and wellbeing facility overlooking the Ground.• A public café, with indoor and outdoor seating.• 130 seat auditorium and multi-purpose meeting rooms.• Lengthening of the iconic oval to welcome the return of the WAFL and other sports.• A state-of-the-art museum that honours the rich history and heritage of the WACA Ground.• Community sports medicine and rehabilitation centre, potentially including an afterhours GP clinic.• Supporting all abilities of the community with sensory rooms, changing places and all-abilities playground.Which of these facilities will be available for Members?All facilities will be available to Members, depending on Members membership category.Which facilities will be available for the community?The public café, function and event centre, community health club, community sports medicine centre, museum, all abilities playground, sensory rooms, and aquatic facility will be available for community use.Who will manage the new facilities?WA Cricket will continue to manage the WACA Ground which will be home to the WA Cricket administration, Members services, community cricket and high-performance businesses.WA Cricket will also operate the café and continue to operate all food and beverage operations.The community health club will be operated, on behalf the WACA, under a management agreement by an external provider.The management of aquatic facilities is yet to be determined.How many people will the new stand seat?The WGIP is not a replacement of the Inverarity and Prindiville Stands. It is the new sustainable community and sporting hub that is home to WA Cricket administration, high performance centre and the community facilities.The new northern perimeter lower bowl will accommodate up to 2,500 people and Level 3 will have the capacity for up to 500 seats.Will the Members Reserve be moved to the new stand?The Members Reserve will not be impacted by the WGIP as construction is on the northern side of the WACA Ground.Members will continue to have exclusive access to the Lillee Marsh Stand, the air-conditioned comfort of the Boundary Room and Long Bar and seating in front of the Players pavilion.The South West Pavilion next to the Lillee Marsh Stand will be upgraded with food and beverage facilities to host the public.Members will continue to have access to the whole ground.Once the Ground Improvements are complete the Members will have the opportunity to determine where the Members Reserve will be located on match days.What portion of my Membership is paying for the WGIP?Your Membership supports cricket in WA, and we thank you for your continued support.The WGIP has been funded with financial contributions from the Federal Government, the State Government, Cricket Australia, and the WA Cricket Foundation.Will parking available at the WACA Ground?There will be limited parking at the WACA Ground.Which gate will Members use to enter the Ground during construction?Gate 8 will be the main entrance during construction.Where will the Membership Service desk be?The Members service and WA Cricket reception will be located at Gate 8 during construction.A Member Service Desk will continue to be located in the Boundary Room.Will the turf be upgraded?The turf upgrade is not part of the scope of the WGIP. WGIP scope includes oval lengthening only.Will there be an upgrade to the current Members Reserve/Boundary Room as part of this project?Works are currently being conducted to freshen up the Members Reserve including an upgrade of the South West Pavilion.Will the cost of Membership be reduced during construction?Cricket content will continue to be hosted at the WACA Ground during construction.Further, the Members Reserve will not be impacted and only Members will have access to the Lillee Marsh Stand and the air-conditioned comfort of the Boundary Room and Long Bar. As such, Membership costs will not be reduced.
