Wanneroo Council approves plans for clubrooms at Shelvock Park in Koondoola

A KOONDOOLA soccer club has welcomed a Wanneroo Council decision to build clubrooms in one stage over the next two years rather than two stages over six years.

Westnam United president Peter Le appealed to the council to build the multi-purpose room at Shelvock Park at the same time as the change rooms and toilets in a deputation before the October 16 meeting.

“There’s savings if we build it all in one stage,” he said.

A report to the council said the first stage of the project would cost $1.4 million, and the multipurpose room could cost about $590,000 if built as a second stage.

At the October 9 briefing session, councillors were told building it in one stage could cost about $1.6 million as opposed to the $1.9 million total for two stages.

MORE: Westnam seeks council support for clubrooms

Mr Le said building the facilities would see more people use the park.

Councillor Brett Treby successfully moved an amendment, seconded by Cr Domenic Zappa, to include a 100sq m multi-purpose room in the first stage rather than wait to 2023-24 or 2024-25 to build it.

Cr Treby said there was “no question” that the facility was needed and building both sections avoided increases in the building cost index.

Cr Hugh Nguyen, who declared an impartiality interest because his son was a Westnam junior player, said providing appropriate facilities would encourage young people to play soccer.

“Our youths cannot wait five or six more years before they have a complete set of facilities,” he said.

Cr Dot Newton said it would support greater female participation in the world game.

“We need to get Sam Kerr up there,” she said.

Cr Paul Miles and Linda Aitken said the combined construction approach might be better to follow with future projects, rather than staging them as the council has done for past projects.

About 20 members of Westnam United, including junior players, attended the council meeting and applauded the decision.