Just saw via a facebook site that Swans have entered into a Memorandum of understanding with the Town of Bassendean to progress the redevelopment of the club rooms and oval. It will be interesting to see how this develops. Is it going to be an apartment city along the lines of Claremont Oval or a public open space like East Fremantle or something different?
I would favour something which would be accessible to the whole community rather than just privately owned places, given that Swans have marketed themselves as a community club for years but I guess the financial considerations will come into it as well, especially if there is limited State or Federal funding available.
One plus for the club is that Tallen Ames is a councillor so I’m hoping he will ensure that Swans interests are kept front and centre.
Mikeh, probably a mix of both. they will need to raise capital from land sales around the ground for commercial/residential development as part of the funding model, I would expect that would be at the shopping centre end, plus there is a lot of land to the south behind the banks that could be used for residential development as long as it’s low profile, no more than 3 storeys.
The north side has the two heritage listed stands so not sure what can be done around there although there’s a lot of space behind those stands for open space and the like. The rest of that northern side should be bowled over and a new structure with a stand and combined club and public facilities built. Just my thoughts.
Yeah good points. I just hope whatever is done preserves the unique character of the place. It is the best place to watch footy on a sunny saturday afternoon and the atmosphere is great up on the hill and in the can bars
Only issue is that it will remain the only WAFL ground that’s east west which can be a problem for players later in the game, the other 7 venues are north south.
[quote=“Senior Seagull post=232465 userid=922”]Only issue is that it will remain the only WAFL ground that’s east west which can be a problem for players later in the game, the other 7 venues are north south.
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I found your comment interesting SS about ground alignment. Basso feels like NS to me but you are right its EW, same for Arena Joondalup. I’ve always felt my home ground Lathlain was more EW than NS. It is actually more NW SE. The rest as you say are NS.
I’ve taken screenshots using Waze. See the true north compass in the top right corner and the NSEW compass next to each WAFL ground.
Thanks DD, I checked Joondy on Google maps and google earth and it dead N - S, just Basso is E-W. Good thing is that sitting on the outer banks means a nice northerly aspect for the punters, not so good for the players.
[quote=“mikeh post=232396 userid=926”]Just saw via a facebook site that Swans have entered into a Memorandum of understanding with the Town of Bassendean to progress the redevelopment of the club rooms and oval. It will be interesting to see how this develops. Is it going to be an apartment city along the lines of Claremont Oval or a public open space like East Fremantle or something different?
I would favour something which would be accessible to the whole community rather than just privately owned places, given that Swans have marketed themselves as a community club for years but I guess the financial considerations will come into it as well, especially if there is limited State or Federal funding available.
One plus for the club is that Tallen Ames is a councillor so I’m hoping he will ensure that Swans interests are kept front and centre.
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My understanding is the Bassendean revamp is going to be paid for by the redevelopment of approx 11 hectares of surrounding land. Apparently the oval's surrounding land and north of the Bassendean town centre will be ear-marked for housing and community use. Heard on the grapevine the apartments will be five storey's. It's been said Swans will give up their long term lease. And the future residential builds will not be on the same scale as Claremont Oval. Like Claremont, up to 20% of the ground will be sold. Obviously the ground will be smaller like Claremont and Lathlain Park have become with reduced capacity. Back in the good days of footy, crowds regularly exceeded 5000 and more easily. Nowadays crowds of that number is just a dream. The club will of course earn a profit of the land sales. Obviously the club will be in consultation with landcorp. Is a bit pointless having too much land at Wafl grounds nowadays because the Wafl is currently like a dead man walking! Going to be interesting to see how Bassendean and East Fremantle Oval redevelopments unfold.
My understanding is the Bassendean revamp is going to be paid for by the redevelopment of approx 11 hectares of surrounding land. Apparently the oval's surrounding land and north of the Bassendean town centre will be ear-marked for housing and community use. Heard on the grapevine the apartments will be five storey's. [b]It's been said Swans will give up their long term lease[/b]. And the future residential builds will not be on the same scale as Claremont Oval. Like Claremont, up to 20% of the ground will be sold. Obviously the ground will be smaller like Claremont and Lathlain Park have become with reduced capacity. Back in the good days of footy, crowds regularly exceeded 5000 and more easily. Nowadays crowds of that number is just a dream. The club will of course earn a profit of the land sales. Obviously the club will be in consultation with landcorp. Is a bit pointless having too much land at Wafl grounds nowadays because the Wafl is currently like a dead man walking! Going to be interesting to see how Bassendean and East Fremantle Oval redevelopments unfold.
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Unsure what this means - to play at the ground? Swans own the land where the members is located, and whatever is planned and the members’ structures demolished and rebuilt elsewhere the land is still theirs. It wouldn’t surprise that Swans have the title and the land envelope moved to another section of the ground that will be developed for the club’s purpose.
Looks like the Bassendean Oval Redevelopment continues to move ahead, with significant support at council and the release of the Masterplan for public comment next week. “The key elements of the plan include reorientation and sizing in line with the AFL guidelines, improvement of spectator arrangements and providing fit for purpose Swan District Football Club facilities, provision of new and improved community amenity, including recreational spaces, and an enhanced youth precinct.“It also has a commercial offering looking to enhance and utilise our heritage spaces, and there is a residential development component in the longer term.”
I didn’t see any fences enclosing the place so SDFC can charge entry for WAFL games. Maybe they didn’t include at concept phase but will at a later date or is it another East Freo Oval nightmare?.
[quote=“Time For a Flag post=238629 userid=1037”]Looks like another land grab by a council.
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I hope the PFC Board don’t struggle to comprehend the financial reality of WAFL football that you clearly don’t get! As a Perth supporter I’m sure you’d like it to still be the 1970s but its not. The WAFL is a second tier comp with poor attendances and sponsors as a whole aren’t that interested in sinking considerable funding into the competition as they don’t see the return on investment that national level sports can provide. Councils and state government see it the same way - what’s their return on investment for $20-30 million for 250 footballers to use each week and a dwindling number of spectators who turn up and watch.
Councils and state government can build and/or renovate 5 -15 true ‘community based’ sporting clubs for the same investment which will benefit several 1000s of participants and ultimately that can lead to 1000s of votes come election time.
The one return on investment that WAFL clubs can provide that puts money back in the Council and State Government coffers is by agreeing to relinquish fairly significant unused parcels of land around ovals. Claremont, Fremantle and Bassendean Oval have and will benefit in the short and long term by having commercial and residential developments as past of the master plans.
I don’t think PFC would have a funding shortfall of $5m if they added commercial and residential aspects to the current redevelopment plan. The council and state govt would happily pick up the shortfall knowing that they will see the increased investment pay dividends over time.
I hear the entire Swan Districts board have put their hands up to finance the club into the future if the redevelopment happens.
Only redevelopment of the Bassendean Oval I support is the replacement of the existing John Cooper John Todd Pavillion and Percy Bright Lounge for a new modern facility in the same spot.