sport
Perth Upgrades Facilities Venues and Infrastructure Supporting Sport Locally
Council funding decisions target maintenance at multiple Perth sites as usage climbs.
How we reported this
The City of Perth approved $8.4 million in extra maintenance funding for three major sports sites during its July 9 meeting.
Participation numbers at council-run facilities rose 14 percent in the past financial year, according to internal records released last week. That increase follows steady growth in junior and adult programs across Perth since 2023, when the state government lifted capacity limits on outdoor venues.
Named sites receiving work
Work will begin next month at the Perth Arena precinct on Wellington Street, where roof repairs and improved lighting are scheduled. The same allocation covers drainage upgrades at the WACA Ground in East Perth and resurfacing of two outer fields at the Joondalup Sports Complex on Joondalup Drive. The City of Joondalup will contribute matching funds for the northern site under an existing shared-services agreement signed in 2024.
Local clubs using these grounds include the Perth Heat baseball team and several district cricket associations that run weekly training sessions. The upgrades address wear reported after last summer’s record number of evening matches, when lights stayed on past 10 pm on 62 nights.
Numbers behind the spending
Perth’s four largest public sports venues recorded 1.85 million visits in 2025-26. Optus Stadium on Victoria Park Drive alone accounted for 780,000 of those visits, mostly from AFL and rugby league fixtures plus community events. The new allocation represents roughly 3 percent of the city’s annual parks and recreation budget of $278 million.
Bookings for community use at the three sites open through the City of Perth website on August 1. Residents seeking court time or field access can submit requests up to eight weeks ahead, with priority given to clubs already registered for the 2026-27 season.