City of Joondalup seeks sponsorship alternative with West Perth Football Club

In 2013, councillors voted to contribute up to $4 million for proposed upgrades, including additional netball courts for the Joondalup Netball Association, indoor courts to potentially house the Wanneroo Basketball Association, a rectangular playing surface and clubroom facilities for West Perth.

This was to be paid in stages as conditions and milestones were met. The netball courts and rectangular playing surface have been completed at a cost to the City of $250,219.

The City had budgeted to contribute $2.25 million in 2015-16 and the final $1.5 million in 2016-17 but because the project did not progress as expected, no funds were required during 2015-16.

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With the basketball and football facilities now progressing, it is expected the City’s remaining $3.75 million will be required in February or March.

Councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting were to consider amending the 2016-17 budget to allow this.

“This is a significant financial contribution from the City of Joondalup on behalf of our ratepayers,” Mayor Troy Pickard said.

He then referred to a previous decision where councillors voted to condition the City’s sponsorship of West Perth to the club changing its name to reflect its location in Joondalup, which West Perth has voted against.

“I wonder if there is a window of opportunity here to maximise the value for the City of this particular funding contribution, not as an incentive to change any names but in recognition through potential sponsorship,” he said.

Cr Russ Fishwick agreed this could be an opportunity for the City to be indirectly acknowledged as a sponsor.

He moved a motion, which was passed unanimously, to refer the item back to the chief executive to enable negotiations with West Perth for a “sponsorship agreement for an extended period” to reflect the City’s $2 million contribution for the football facility upgrades, estimated to cost $9 million.