WACA’s wee bother ends with return of urinals

Urinals have been reinstated to the WACA’s redevelopment plans, more than nine months after their exclusion sparked an outcry from the membership and brought board tensions to the fore.

An artist's impression of the redeveloped WACA Ground in Perth. Picture: Supplied

Bureaucratic red tape may have helped bring about a ceasefire in the toilet-inspired culture war inside the Western Australian Cricket Association.

More than nine months after the news that urinals would not be included in the redevelopment of the historic cricket ground’s northern side sparked an outcry from the membership and brought board-level tensions to the fore, urinals have been reinstated to the plans.

While WA Cricket interim chief executive Justin Michael said the change was a direct response to member feedback, The Australian understands the amendment followed a complication with the state’s liquor licensing requirements.

Under the original plan, toilet facilities within the new section of the ground would have featured only stalls, as well as a common mixed gender wash area with sinks and mirrors.

It is understood the organisation had received advice that the layout would not comply with liquor licensing, solidifying the case for the design overhaul.

In a statement, Mr Michael said the association had reviewed and approved the redesign of some parts of the ground redevelopment following feedback from member focus groups.

“The washroom facilities were included in that review and redesign and will now include urinals in the men’s facilities; this specific change was in response to member feedback,” he said.

“As a member-based organisation, we go to great lengths to listen to our members through ongoing two-way communication and engagement.

WA Cricket interim chief executive Justin Michael. Picture: Supplied

“We appreciate this aspect of the ground improvement project has attracted a lot of interest – disproportionate interest relative to all the other great improvements at our iconic WACA Ground – but now this decision has been made we can put it behind us and move forward.”

Mr Michael has been serving in the role since the retirement earlier this year of Christina Matthews.

There have been divisions within the board over the re­development more broadly, with the cost of the project and its funding plans causing tensions.

The Australian recently revealed that the WACA was exploring potential naming rights deals over parts of the ground because of a significant blowout in the cost of removing contaminated soil from the site.

The cost of the project had already increased to $164m, a budget that does not include the internal fit-out of the new grandstand and associated facilities.

The scoreboard can be seen at the WACA. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

Tensions inside the organisation culminated earlier this year when the board attempted to suspend member-elected board member Paul Collins, who was the first to blow the whistle on the urinal plans last year.

That suspension was ultimately rescinded.

In a message posted on his Facebook page, Mr Collins thanked those who had given their support during “Toilet Gate”.

“I continue to encourage all WACA members to ask questions about design, costings and funding of the WACA ground redevelopment project,” he said.