The Premier of Western Australia, Hon Colin Barnett, today announced a commitment by the State Government to provide $10 million toward the transformation of Lathlain Park as part of the Lathlain Precinct Redevelopment Project in the Town of Victoria Park.
The critical funding will help turn Lathlain Park into a vibrant community precinct comprising a wealth of new community accessible sporting, leisure, recreation and education facilities.
It will also be the new home for the West Coast Eagles training and administration headquarters and the Wirrpanda Foundation.
The project is the result of a unique public/private partnership between the Town of Victoria Park, State Government, Commonwealth Government, the West Coast Eagles and their partners the Wirrpanda Foundation and the AFL.
In making the announcement at Lathlain Park today, the Premier said that funding from the State would match that already committed by the Federal Government.
“The funding will go towards community aspects of the Lathlain Park redevelopment, including an extra oval and the rebuilding of the existing oval, lighting, scoreboard, two-lane synthetic running track, pathways, tennis courts and a playground,” Mr Barnett said.
“The State Government has a proud history of supporting community sport in Western Australia, including football, and this funding will help the Town build a first-class sport and recreation facility for its residents.”
Town of Victoria Park Mayor Cr Trevor Vaughan said that the State Government’s commitment to the Lathlain community, the Town and the greater south eastern region was exciting news.
“We have worked long and hard together with the West Coast Eagles to make this vital project a reality and we are thrilled with the Premier’s announcement,” Mayor Vaughan said.
“This will be a brilliant environment for people to come together and enjoy everything the precinct will have to offer – places to play, meet, relax, exercise, and of course enjoy the footy.
“We thank the Premier and the State Government for recognising the great community value of this project and the far reaching benefits it will bring to the people of Victoria Park and broader Perth community. We look forward to creating a reenergised precinct for everyone to enjoy,” Mayor Vaughan said.
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West Coast Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett said the State Government’s decision to invest in the project was a fantastic result for the community and would enable the redevelopment to rapidly progress.
“With the Town of Victoria Park and all other project partners we are delighted that we can now help to revitalise Lathlain Park for the benefit of the entire community,” Mr Nisbett said.
“We look forward to working with all partners to ensure that our shared vision for the Lathlain Precinct as a vibrant and activated community space is fully realised.
“We know that Lathlain will be a fantastic home for our club and we are already working with the Town to ensure that the people of Victoria Park obtain maximum benefit from our partnership for many generations to come.
“This has been a long journey but today is a landmark moment for the people of Lathlain, the Town, the State and our club – in collaboration we can now create something truly special for the whole community to be proud of.
“We see this as an investment in health, providing a terrific facility for the broader community to utilise and enjoy, as well as being a modern base for our football club.”
Planning has commenced for forward works on the two new ovals, with the overall redevelopment expected to be completed by 2018.
For further information contact Gary Stocks (GM Communications West Coast Eagles 0412 144 588) or Suzanne Browne (Executive Manager Communications Town of Victoria Park 0403 369 003).
