No urinals? Men ready to take a stand at new WACA

One WACA member will push for the board to review its decision to abandon the humble urinal.

Artist’s impression of the proposed WACA redevelopment.

The Western Australian Cricket Association is facing a potential revolt from members determined to preserve the humble urinal amid an uproar over plans to install a toilet bowl-only section of amenities as part of the cricket ground’s redevelopment.

In possibly the biggest controversy at the WACA since Dennis Lillee took to the field with an aluminium bat in 1979, plans put forward for an overhaul of the northern side of the ground include provisions for toilet-bowl cubicles only. The urinals that have served generations of men through many a long day of cricket at the ground will still be found within the existing facilities on the WACA’s southern side.

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said the decision to have only cubicles inside the new development was driven by an appetite for inclusivity and flexibility. The cubicle-only configuration would allow the facilities to be tailored around girls-only or boys-only community sporting days at the venue, and provide better disabled access.

She also said the cubicles were more appealing to younger generations and offered a more hygienic option than urinals.

Paul Collins, the WACA board member who first went public with the news of the change, said he would be moving a motion at the next board meeting to push for a return of urinals to the ground’s northern side.

Artist’s impression of the proposed WACA redevelopment.

And while the WACA says there will be no mixed-gender toilets, the bathroom facilities in a new members’ section will include a shared washroom area.

Mr Collins said that could prove problematic for female Muslim cricket fans who would not be able to adjust headscarves in the presence of men.

Ms Matthews said she did not believe the urinal debate would hurt the WACA’s membership base. “The best way to judge any member’s opinion is whether they continue to be a member,” she said. “This is not an issue that will ever go to a member vote. However, if people start giving up their membership because they don’t like the fact we don’t have urinals, then we may have to look at it. But I doubt that’s going to happen.”