WA’s City of Cockburn Council has endorsed progression of a $60m first stage to redevelop the popular Wally Hagan Basketball Stadium into a multipurpose recreation centre.
The Council says it will now hone efforts to pursue a re-endorsed proposed funding model for the project, which will include seeking up to $20 million from the Federal government, including under its Thriving Suburbs Grant program, and other State and Federal funding programs.
This will add to the City’s $20 million commitment, plus a $20 million contribution from the WA Government, the result of a pre-election commitment made in January 2025.
Stage one of the Hamilton Hill project comprises development of six new courts, including retention of the stadium’s four existing courts, plus a health club and community spaces.
Mayor, Logan Howlett said the legally-required business plan was a vital step towards guiding future decision-making around construction which could commence as early as January 2028, subject to funding.
“Future community engagement will help shape the project’s design and operation and define broader precinct outcomes to ensure it functions as a place for everyone,” Mayor Howlett said.
“We thank the state government for their continued strong support of this vital project. Council hopes the final piece in the funding model will be secured primarily through a federal grant which the City will apply for as soon as the round is open.
“This project was always planned to be a partnership program between all three tiers of government and our community.
“We still have a lot of work to do but this is a complex and much-needed project which requires extraordinary attention to detail and funding approach that delivers something the community will benefit from for many years to come.
“There are technical investigations to complete to help address traffic and parking design, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage planning and engagement, and geotechnical investigations.”
Mayor Howlett said the development has been intentionally staged to ensure the essential community facility remains open throughout the construction period.
It currently supports over 5,000 members seven days a week and basketball games will continue in the existing Wally Hagan Basketball Stadium until the project is complete, he said.
“The City has allocated $220,000 in the FY27 draft budget to progress these planning activities.”
The Council’s CEO will work with Cockburn Basketball Association, as the anchor tenant and key basketball delivery partner, to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and club.
