FUNDING FOR ARENA JOONDALUP REDEVELOPMENT APPROVED

The Joondalup City Council voted to commit funding towards the upgrade of facilities at Arena Joondalup at its meeting held on Tuesday August 20.

The Council has agreed to the provision of a total of $4 million towards the Arena Joondalup project. In the 2013-14 financial year the City will allocate $1 million from the Strategic Asset Management Reserve with the balance of funding to be provided, as needed, subject to conditions set out by the City.

The upgrade will see the construction of new Club rooms and Administration facilities for the West Perth Football Club, additional indoor courts and supporting infrastructure that will house the Wanneroo Basketball Association, additional courts for the Joondalup Netball Association and additional playing surfaces for the Joondalup Brothers Rugby Union Club.

The Council resolution stated that conditions of funding include:

• Representatives from the City on the Arena project team;

• Lease arrangements between the Arena operators, VenuesWest, and both the West Perth Football Club and Wanneroo Basketball Association that are satisfactory to the City; and

• A preference for the West Perth Football Club and the Wanneroo Basketball Association to adopt a trading name that reflects their locality.

The City’s contribution is in addition to the $16 million of funding committed to the Arena Joondalup project by the State Government prior to the March 2013 election.

Mayor Pickard said it was imperative that Council supported sporting organizations that helped promote sport, recreation and healthy lifestyle opportunities for the community.

“The Clubs that will directly benefit from an upgrade to the Arena have significant membership bases and in some cases are the largest Clubs within their chosen sport in Western Australia,” he said.

“West Perth Football Club is one of the biggest clubs in the West Australian Football League and has been a massive part of Joondalup since they moved to the Arena in 1994.”

“They have outgrown their current facilities and this project will provide an AFL centre of excellence in the northern corridor as well as a viable venue for AFL pre-season and practice matches.”

Mayor Pickard also said that while funding would not be conditional on a name change for West Perth and the Wanneroo Basketball Association, it is his preference to see both organisations engage with its members regarding this issue.

West Perth President, Brett Raponi, said that he was very happy with the process and the outcome. “The City and the Mayor, in particular, have been strong supporters and advocates for our Football Club. I am delighted with the decision by Council that not only recognizes but understands the strong ties that still exist at West Perth. The success of this club over 129 years dictates that our name remains a strong identity within the sporting landscape across Australia.