Bayswater Croquet Club secretary Marjorie Maley, president Jacquie Ashby and treasurer Trevor Ashby.
Camera IconBayswater Croquet Club secretary Marjorie Maley, president Jacquie Ashby and treasurer Trevor Ashby. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Proposal unsettles club members

Lauren Pilat, Eastern ReporterEastern Reporter

The soccer club wants to develop Frank Drago Reserve into Western Australia’s football headquarters including pitch expansion and the installation of floodlighting for night games.

Soccer club member Greg D’Orazio requested in May that the City of Bayswater would fund a $60,000 masterplan and feasibility study into the expansion that could take over three other clubs using the reserve.

Council agreed to the funding but included a clause that the croquet, tennis and bowls clubs had an input in the plans.

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Croquet club president Jacquie Ashby said there had been no consultation between the four clubs before the plan was submitted to council.

‘We have a right to be considered. We have been here since the 1930s and it may be elderly but we’ve got a very active club,’ she said.

‘Courts are played on six days a week and sometimes seven when we have competitions. But with the soccer it’s a seasonal sport and we feel very upset that they want to push us off so they can have something for half a year.’

Having grown up in Bayswater, Mr D’Orazio said he knew how much of an icon the four clubs were.

‘These clubs should not feel threatened as it’s not Bayswater City Soccer Club’s intention to bring disruption or unease in its progress,’ he said.

‘The masterplan and feasibility study that the City is conducting is to advise on what the best development direction is to be able to house the home of football on the site, currently held by the soccer club.’

A number of scenarios would come from this study, and the best and most cost-effective one would be considered by clubs and the City.

Mr D’Orazio said soccer was the world game and a state-of-the-art facility in the city would put Bayswater on the map.