The two-stage upgrade of the City of Stirling Council’s Princess Wallington Reserve Cricket Clubrooms is now complete.
Mayor, Mark Irwin was joined by Member for Cowan, Dr Anne Aly and Balga Ward Councillors and cricket club members on Friday to celebrate the opening of the refurbished clubrooms.
Mayor Irwin says the much needed improvements have brought the clubrooms in line with community expectations, with more modern and functional facilities.
“The Cavaliers Cricket Club – formerly the Balga Cricket Club – operates four grade teams as part of the North Suburban Community Cricket Association and aims to start women’s and girl’s teams in the near future,” he said.
“The club is also a member of the winter cricket league – which includes 15 teams operating out of the facilities at Princess Wallington Reserve – making it the only cricket club in the City that operates all year.
“With funding from the Australian Government, our joint investment is an important step forward for the Balga community. This upgrade has brought the clubrooms into line with contemporary club standards and complements Bina Parkland in the southern end of the reserve, which reopened in December 2020 after a $6.2 million rejuvenation.”
Stage one of the project, completed in February 2022, was supported by $625,000 from the Federal Government’s $3.25 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.
It included the provision of two new unisex team changerooms, umpires changeroom, male toilets, female toilets, a universal access toilet, an office and a new commercial grade kitchen.
Externally, the building and roof was repainted, new accessible pathway installed, and sewer pump station upgraded.
Stage two of the works were fully funded by Council and completed last month, including demolition of the upper floor, removal and replacement of the concrete ground slab, new windows and doors with security screens, a new veranda and galvanised balustrade.
“I know how much sports means to our local community in Balga and surrounds,” said Ms Aly.
“Sports isn’t just about physical activity or competition – it can be a means of personal growth and confidence, especially for young women.
“These upgrades will enable female participation in cricket, while also providing more young women with a sense of community and belonging in the heart of the electorate.”
