An iconic Australian cricket ground, famous for hosting historic Ashes battles between England and Australia, has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, swapping some of its hallowed turf for thrilling waterslides and swimming pools.
From Test Matches to Water Slides: The WACA's New Look
The Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) ground in Perth, a venue steeped in Ashes history, has been dramatically redeveloped into a multifunctional community sports hub. The most eye-catching new features are a series of major waterslides, installed to ensure the venue's future viability.
This radical change comes in the wake of the Ashes moving to the newer, larger Optus Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 60,000 spectators compared to the WACA's 24,500. The first Test of the current Ashes series, where Australia secured an eight-wicket victory over England, was held at Optus, cementing its status as Perth's premier cricket arena.
A Logistical Feat: Building a Cricket Ball Slide
The transformation was a significant engineering project. More than 450 fibreglass and steel components for the new aquatic attractions were imported from Turkey earlier this year. The installation itself took four weeks to complete.
A crane was required to lift the slides into place, with the arch segment alone weighing a substantial 800 kilograms. In a nod to the ground's heritage, the fibreglass sections of the main slide are cleverly designed to resemble a cricket ball, complete with the iconic white stitching along its loop.
Securing a Community Future for a Historic Venue
Beyond the slides, the redeveloped WACA now boasts a six-lane, 50-metre swimming pool and a family-friendly splash pad. This $1.7 billion Perth City Deal project was jointly funded by the Australian Government, the Western Australian Government, and the City of Perth, in partnership with WA Cricket and Cricket Australia.
While acknowledging its new position behind Optus Stadium, the WACA is determined to maintain its iconic status. Women's international cricket matches will continue to be hosted there, and it remains the headquarters for the Western Australian Cricket Association. Final work on the multifunctional venue is scheduled for completion by the end of the current cricket season.
Stephen Hall, the ground historian, expressed optimism about the evolution. "I’m very positive about it. It’s really important to put yourself in a position to be ready for the future," he said. "Our core business is still cricket, but we live in a world of community, and even when we got the ground in 1889 it was all about accessibility, making sure people could use it."
This innovative blend of sporting history and modern leisure facilities represents a bold new chapter for the WACA, ensuring it remains a vibrant and relevant part of Perth's community for generations to come.
