Business
New era looms for iconic WACA ground, following practical completion of major re-development project on December 19 last year
WA Cricket chief executive John Stephenson says playing a role in the delivery of the WACA Ground improvement project has been a highlight of his sports administration career to date.
The $188 million project, which achieved practical completion on December 19 last year, will be open to the general public on March 1 – a few days ahead of a one-off women’s Test between Australia and India, which will be held at the iconic venue.
“It’s right up there, because I think what we are on the cusp of is something really transformational,” he told Business News.
“I can’t take all of the credit, because a lot of the work had been done before I got here.
“So, the last year has just been trying to get us over the line and I’m really satisfied with that.
“Now it’s time for activation, making the WACA a venue that people can use every day of the year.
“Diversify our revenue streams, become less reliant on Cricket Australia and more self-sufficient – that’s what I’m aiming for.
“I’ve had some highs and lows throughout my cricket and admin career. This is definitely a high.”
From achieving practical completion to the official opening to the public on March 1, a series of approval processes need to be met, including in relation to separable portion three – which involves the high-performance centre and surrounds, which Mr Stephenson will be delivered by the end of February.
The WA Cricket boss is also excited for all staff being able to move into new office spaces by the end of the month.
“They’ve been working in I wouldn’t say terrible conditions, I mean, it’s amazing over here,” Mr Stephenson said.
“But it’s been a bit fragmented for the staff, being in temporary accommodation for a couple of years.
“So we are really looking forward to transitioning over to areas where we can all work together.
“It is amazing, the office space there. It is incredible and I think it is really going to help with the general sense of being in an amazing workplace and that can be really inspiring.”
Within the 2025-26 state government mid-year financial projections statement released last month, it was revealed that $840,000 had been budgeted over the next three years to meet operational costs required for the WACA Ground’s aquatic centre, which includes waterslides and 50m outdoor pool.
Mr Stephenson told Business News he is confident there will be plenty of demand for the facilities.
“I’m really confident it will take off – especially that waterslide,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of interest from different pockets of the East Perth community and the wider community.
“(And) once everyone sees it operational, I think they’ll be flooding in to have a go. And with the gym facilities, they’re incredible and open to the public.
“But that indoor and outdoor swimming pool with the waterslide I think are going to be a key attraction.
“There’s a local Filipino community down the road that are really interested and they have a real thing about waterslides.
“They don’t necessarily know so much about cricket, but one thing will hopefully lead to another when they come and they go “ooh, there’s some cricket going on, what’s all that about” and create that wider interest.
Looking forward to Perth Bears venue partnership
The state government also confirmed within the mid-year financial projections statement that it would commit $9.9 million between now and 2026-27 towards upgrading the Lillee Marsh stand at the WACA and nearby Waterbank site, which will be used by the newly-formed Perth Bears rugby league team.
Another $3 million has been allocated towards improving relevant storm water systems.
The Bears, who will begin life in the National Rugby League from next year, will be based at a high-performance facility at Waterbank until their new long-term facility at Malaga is completed.
The club’s administration base will also temporarily be based at the WACA during this time.
“Most of the admin staff – and they’ve been talking about 80 to 100 admin staff – will be based over this side (Lillee Marsh stand),” Mr Stephenson said.
“And there’ll be a reconfiguration of offices – certainly down in the guts of the Lillee Marsh stand, the state government who’ve been pumping quite a bit of money into making it into a high-performance facility for the Perth Bears, so they have a really good gym and areas for their staff to occupy.
“Waterbank which you can see, already has been grassed over where they will do all of their training.
“They won’t be on the WACA turf at all, and they’ll be playing at HBF Park.
“So that helps in terms of keeping Lillee Marsh (stand) up and running and in good shape, more money coming into the facility, keeping it really vibrant.
“I think they’ll be a really good partner. It kind of fits as what we want to be as a venue, 365 (days) a year.
“It will create a lot of interest, so we’re looking forward to the Perth Bears coming in. We have got a bit of work to do with them in terms of lease arrangements and the term sheet, but we’ll work through all that.”
Mr Stephenson also praised the state government and fellow stakeholders for ensuring the project ‘got over the line’.
Scorchers add value on and off-field
Presently, the Perth Scorchers men’s team are third on the BBL points table and appear to be on course for yet another finals appearance, while the Scorchers women’s team were defeated by eight wickets against Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL grand final last month.
Mr Stephenson said the success of the Scorchers had played a key role in
“The Scorchers, both men and women have been exceptional this summer,” he told Business News.
“The women just missed out, but we had an incredible campaign. We broke so many records in terms of attendances here for the WBBL, revenue generated and TV audiences, so we’re very proud of that.
“What’s coming up over the next few days with the culmination of the men’s BBL is really exciting.
“I think we will break all revenue records for that. Obviously it depends whether we get to the final. If we host a final, it’s going to be amazing.
“But the crowd for the (January) 17th is looking as though it could break a record. So it just generates this incredible excitement.
“And in other areas, the women’s WNCL team are starting to win, so all of that just makes WA Cricket such an exciting environment to be in, and so many challenging and interesting projects happening at the same time.”
