Published on Wednesday, 17 July 2024 at 5:39:27 PM
Town of East Fremantle has resolved a clear path forward to enable the East Fremantle Football Club to move back into the redeveloped East Fremantle Community Park.
With practical completion of the facility issued this week, the oval is now ready for play – including match day football – subject to any final testing required by the Western Australian Football Commission, and appropriate agreements being finalised with the East Fremantle Football Club.
Occupancy of the administration facilities at East Fremantle Community Park is subject to a signed Sublease with the East Fremantle Football Club and a commitment to play their metropolitan home games at East Fremantle Community Park, unless otherwise agreed with the Town.
Fixturing of match day football at East Fremantle Community Park is also subject to a signed Licence Agreement. Council has provided the East Fremantle Football Club three months to finalise and sign this agreement (from the commencement date of the sublease).
In addition, the Town is aware of commentary that the East Fremantle Football Club is disadvantaged by not being able to derive gate revenue and would like to clarify that there are significant financial benefits for the East Fremantle Football Club under the proposed operating arrangements.
These include:
• The sublease provides for no rent or outgoings (such a power, water, maintenance) – this equates to $292,000 in annual savings compared to previous arrangements.
• Entitlement to the first $100,000 of commercial naming rights, and an equal revenue share arrangement for any amount more than $100,000.
• Ticketed membership for grandstand.
• Profit share from food and beverage payments from match day football, Club events and member purchases.
Comments attributed to Acting Mayor Tony Natale:
“The Town of East Fremantle sees football as an integral activation at East Fremantle Community Park and looks forward to the East Fremantle Football Club moving into the facility.
A generous offer has been presented to the East Fremantle Football Club which will lead to a more financially sustainable position for the Club. For example, the Club could be up to $200,000 a year ahead (including commercial naming rights), compared to their previous operating arrangement.
The Town encourages the East Fremantle Football Club to finalise the Agreements in good faith, as we have made every endeavour to ensure the Club is able to thrive and continue in its home of football.
There is a rich history between the Town and the football club built over many generations from the old facility to this new state-of-the-art facility. In partnership with the Town, we hope the Club will be there for another 100 years. We are committed to working together to getting the Club into the building and making the East Fremantle Community Park their home.”
About the East Fremantle Community Park
The $34.67m redevelopment project is jointly funded by the State Government ($25m), Lotterywest ($1.345m), the Western Australian Football League ($250,000) and Town of East Fremantle ($7.98m) plus contributions from the East Fremantle Football Club and East Fremantle Bowling Club ($91,000).
Features include a lecture theatre for players, a modern administration block and offices, a board room, recovery room, offices for coaches, new changerooms for players, a weights area, new grandstand, viewing deck for the East Fremantle Football Club and IT facilities.
The local community, East Fremantle Football Club, East Fremantle Bowling Club, East Fremantle Croquet Club and East Freo Playgroup will enjoy access to the state-of-the-art facilities including a café, restaurant, playground, skate zone, half basketball court, upgraded playgroup facilities and health centre, new lawn bowling and croquet fields and an enclosed off-lead dog exercise area (set to open later this month).
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