WACA pool to cost taxpayers $840k as Labor pins profit hope on waterslide cash splash

2 months ago 28

The total cost West Australian taxpayers will have to cough up to keep the doors open at the WACA’s new aquatic centre and gym during its first few years of operation have finally been revealed ahead of its opening next month.

According to the mid-year budget review, the facility will lose $840,000 in its first three years of operation but the Cook government is confident The Pavilion’s centrepiece “splash park” will help the $183 million project eventually make money.

The new WACA waterslides at The Pavilion.

The expected taxpayer subsidy is $240,000 more than the “between $500,000 and $600,000” Sport Minister and Treasurer Rita Saffioti estimated back in August.

The state has budgeted for more than $300,000 in annual subsidies to operate The Pavilion over the next two financial years and $200,000 in 2027-28, but predicted government support would not be needed beyond that with the waterslides boosting visitors and spending.

“A standout feature is the eye-catching splash park, crafted to attract tourists and families, making The Pavilion a dynamic place for both serious training and fun,” WA Cricket said in August.

This masthead understands the discrepancy between the subsidy Saffioti estimated in August to what ended up in the mid-year review was a result of consultation with the facility’s private operator BlueFit, which was appointed in August.

The operator of the pool was one of the first issues former Perth lord mayor and now Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas clashed with the state government over during his time leading the council.

The state government was forced to operate the facility in 2021 after the City of Perth, under Zempilas, rejected a request for the city to run it on the grounds it would cost Perth ratepayers too much.

A City of Perth business case by ACIL Allen predicted the city would have to pay $125.5 million in operating subsidies over 40 years equating to about $3.1 million annually – forcing heavy rate rises.

In response, then-WA premier Mark McGowan ordered Infrastructure WA to conduct its own snap business case, which estimated the cost of the facility would be $1.1 million per year.

The city provided $25 million toward the project’s capital cost.

A spokeswoman for Saffioti said The Pavilion would be an incredible asset for the city to transform the entire precinct.

“These new aquatic facilities at the WACA precinct will provide year-round access for the community and create new opportunities for elite and grassroots aquatic sport to thrive,” she said.

“The state government stepped up when Basil Zempilas stepped away, and very soon the new WACA Ground Aquatic Facility will open its doors to the community.”

But shadow treasurer Sandra Brewer rubbished the criticism of Zempilas and said it was egregious that the state was subsidising a private pool operator.

“Rita Saffioti’s assurances have no value, and taxpayers are being taken for another ride by a Treasurer known for blowouts and pet projects,” she said.

“If the government cannot be trusted to be upfront about the operating costs of a swimming pool, West Australians should be deeply concerned about what else is being hidden.

“Fixing our hospitals and WA’s housing crisis should be the top priorities for 2026, however, the Cook Labor government continue with the wrong ones – a subsidised swimming pool.”

The mid-year budget review also contained $12.9 million in extra money to upgrade the WACA’s Lillee Marsh Stand and the Waterbank site next door to accommodate the Perth Bears ahead of the 2027 NRL season.

About $9.9 million will be spent over 2025 to 2027 to upgrade the stand, while $3 million will be spent on drainage to accommodate new playing fields at the site.

That funding also drew criticism from the opposition, which accused the government of adding further taxpayer funding to help the Perth Bears establish in WA despite a promise from Premier Roger Cook in February that the NRL would receive no taxpayer money.

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