TOPIC:

dogman wrote: Every WAFL ground needs to be at least 5,000 capacity. We should never want the situation where a final, foundation day, big derby etc game can ONLY fit in 5,000 and people are turned away. That would be crazy.

Went to the members meeting yesterday evening for the update. About 120 members present - mainly the usual Friday night crowd. President Con Tripi and nearly all Directors were present.

Addressed by CEO Adam Kelly who outlined the EFFC position. In essence the possible redevelopment of EF Oval is a matter for Town of EF. EFFC wants to remain at EF and will work with Council to progress the proposed redevelopment. There are no plans to move elsewhere. EFFC have submitted a facilities audit in terms of what we currently have, size of rooms, purpose of rooms etc to WAFC. Architects have been engaged to develop concept design for new facilities. Town of East Fremantle will need to work with government to resolve the A class reserve status of East Fremantle Oval to allow for any redevelopment. Town of East Fremantle will conduct an audit of facilities to see what maintenance is required. Last done about 6 or 7 years ago and about $750 000 of required work was identified then.

Director Dave Edinger then spoke about the meeting held about two or three weeks ago and attended by about 130 ratepayers who clearly want to retain the A Class Reserve status and are generally opposed to the redevelopment. He also spoke about a subsequent Council meeting, which was attended by about 50 ratepayers and apparently the Council has agreed to suspend any action on trying to remove the A Class Reserve status and has established a committee with ratepayer representation to consider the impact of the proposed redevelopment locally.

We then had a Q & A session. One point came across very clearly from a significant group of members - there was no appetite for a move back to Fremantle Oval.

There has been an ongoing dialogue with the Town of East Fremantle over this matter for some 10 years now and to quote that famous (infamous) philosopher Mick Malthouse: The ox is slow but the Earth is patient!

I hope this rehash of the meeting is accurate and not impacted by the several cold
beers I had consumed.

Thanks Cus well written and covers it all. Know what you mean about the Beer there. Goes down easy. Have staggered out a couple of times during the season.

Sounds good cus, I thought a move was going to be a laydown misere, but apparently not.

Members information briefing


Posted on 25/02/2013




On Friday night February 22nd, members were briefed on the facilities following recent reports regarding the East Fremantle Oval precinct.

CEO, Adam Kelly, stated that the Club is committed to working with the Town of East Fremantle with continued tenure at East Fremantle Oval the preferred option. He also explained that the Town of East Fremantle had been supportive of the Club's facility needs and had acknowledged that something needed to happen.

In brief, Adam explained that:

* The Town of East Fremantle has commissioned a building condition report to understand the structural integrity and current state of facilities.

* The Club has submitted facility requirements to the West Australian Football Commission which detail usage requirements and sizes of rooms required.

* The next steps will be dictated by the building condition report which may or may not preclude refurbishment as an option.

* Costing of either a new facility or a refurbished one will need to be estimated.

* Funding will need to be sought. If there is a likely funding shortfall and this shortfall is significant our facility requirements may be dependent on the ability of Council to be able to develop the precinct through residential and commercial development which would require a change to the current Class A status of the precinct through Parliament. The possibility of this has been the focus of recent media and community attention.

* The Club would welcome the community in utilising the precinct and believes that the project needs to deliver greater access and usibility.

* Community consultation is the responsibility of the Town of East Fremantle. As a Club we can share our objectives for the site and let the community know that we want to be here and would like their support to be here.

* No progress on facility requirements at East Fremantle Oval is not an option. The Club will face increasing pressures if we do not have an outcome that delivers on our facility needs of today and the foreseeable future. If the Club cannot achieve the outcomes it would like to at East Fremantle Oval then the Club needs to consider what is in the best interests of members, supporters, players, coaches etc., for the future. If there is better alternatives to be explored they will need to be explored, however, staying at East Fremantle Oval is the preferred option.

President, Con Tripi, and fellow Directors were available for questioning following the briefing.

The Club will continue to inform members of any progress.

Sounds Good. What has happened to Perth's redevelopment is something else I would like to know.