Swan Districts Football Club president Peter Hodyl urges people to support Bassendean Oval redevelopment plan

The Swan Districts Football Club is urging people to get behind the proposed redevelopment of its home ground.

President Peter Hodyl described the plan to develop Bassendean Oval as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure the club’s home thrived and remained relevant for the next 90 years.

“The last upgrade in this historic oval precinct was almost 50 years ago when the club upgraded its clubrooms, and this redevelopment will meet the club and community’s needs for at least the next 50 years,” he said.

“We’ve been working closely with the Town of Bassendean over a significant period of time on this transformational project.

“The concept master plan will provide new fit-for-purpose club facilities and new community facilities for Bassendean residents and those living in Perth’s eastern corridor.”

Mr Hodyl said the redevelopment would also enable the club to continue to serve the community through its growing all-abilities, young people, Aboriginal peoples, seniors, culturally diverse and Pride programs.

“The new precinct will include cultural, civic and complementary commercial facilities, aimed at attracting broader community use and ensuring its financial viability,” he said. “It will also help preserve the history and heritage of the site.

“Importantly, we are confident it will meet State and Federal Government funding requirements by including the opportunity for future residential development.”

He said it was clear the project would not happen without State and Federal funding.

“What has been, and will continue to be, critically important to us is the redevelopment must meet the club’s spatial and financial sustainability requirements,” Mr Hodyl said. “We will not compromise on this.

“We’ve been working with the town for almost 20 years on an oval precinct redevelopment, including several iterations.

“We expect there’ll be a small vocal minority who won’t support any change or demand unrealistic expectations, leading to nothing being done, again.

“It’s very important that as many Swans members and supporters, regardless whether you live in Bassendean or not, support this concept masterplan.”

He said people could support the master plan by completing an online survey and by attending a town-facilitated workshop at the club on November 6, from 2.30pm-4pm.