The Western Australian Cricket Association and Cricket Australia today welcomed a $30 million funding investment from the Federal Government towards the WACA Ground Improvement Project, marking a major step forward in its vision to create a sustainable community and sporting hub with cricket at its heart.
The $30 million commitment will help transform the state's oldest and most famous sporting ground into a multi-sport boutique venue that will invigorate the East Perth precinct, provide equitable training facilities for elite sporting teams and complement Optus Stadium.
In addition to this investment Cricket Australia will provide $4 million, the WACA will raise another $10 million through the WA Cricket Foundation, with the hope that a commitment from the State Government will be secured.
Plans to improve the home of cricket in WA will have a strong community focus with year-round access for the WA community, in addition to providing modern high performance facilities, a ground suitable for Australian rules football and other sports, and a multi-sport indoor facility.
WACA Chair Hon. Tuck Waldron, CEO Christina Matthews and Australian Men's Team Coach Justin Langer welcomed Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann to the WACA Ground today to announce the $30 million commitment.
Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann, Minister for Finance said:
"The WACA has put forward a great proposal with a great vision for this historic ground. It's a proposal which fits perfectly within our vision for a broader federal Government City Deal for Perth, which we intend to announce in the lead-up to next year's Budget.
This project honours the history of the WACA Ground while providing a modern community friendly facility which will be a great asset for Perth and WA."
WACA CEO Christina Matthews said:
"We are so grateful to Minister Cormann, the Federal Government and, in particular, all the Ministers and Members from WA who have advocated strongly for the WACA Ground Improvement Project. It is their advocacy and support of cricket in WA that has led to today's announcement, which is a very exciting step forward for the future of cricket.
So many of us have a cherished WACA Ground memory and now we can retain its heritage and rich history, while creating a venue with a strong community focus that has multi-sport, gender equal facilities.
This funding commitment will provide an opportunity to utilise the WACA Ground as a boutique ground that complements Optus Stadium and activates the East Perth precinct."
Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts said:
"Much like Langer and Lillee, the WACA Ground defines the history of cricket in WA. Today's announcement is an historic moment for the WACA Ground and very significant for Australian Cricket."
"This investment will revitalise the WACA Ground and ensure that it will continue to serve as the Home of Cricket in WA for many years to come."
Australian Men's Team Coach and WA cricket icon Justin Langer said:
"It's terrific the Federal Government is committed to the future of the WACA Ground, with all its history that is held so dear not just by me, but every other West Australian cricketer who has had the chance to play there."
"I've never been shy about declaring how much I love the WACA Ground and the role it's played in my career. But it's not just about history, now we can look to the future and know the WACA Ground can continue to be a place where memories are made. Thank you to the Federal Government for going in to bat for the WACA."
