Perth Voice Interactive

BAYSWATER Soccer Club wants the council to invest in Frank Drago Reserve so it becomes the home of WA football.

Football West has for the past few years been kicking around for a site where it can build a state-of-the-art $25 million HQ, including a 5000-seat stadium, three pitches, offices and an accommodation block.

It would also serve as a training and administrative base for Perth Glory, now training at McGillivray Oval, and be a home ground for a local state league team.

Football West’s been hampered at previous sites it’s looked at by locals kicking up a fuss at the idea of losing parks and putting up with match-day traffic.

Vasto Reserve and Macedonia Park in Balcatta were seen as an early front-runners but Bayswater’s Greg D’Orazio says Frank Drago Reserve is a better choice: “We are in a great central location and very close to arterial roads and the railway line,” he says.

“I think this gives us the edge over Stirling, which has more space, but has poor public transport.

“Space could be an issue here, but there is council land nearby which could be become available if the Bayswater bowling club amalgamates with the club at Grand Promenade.”

Bayswater has 500 junior members and feeds five senior teams in various competition, including the national premier league WA.

The large membership forces the club to juggle training sessions at various overflow sites, including De Lacy Reserve, Beaufort Park and Wotton Reserve.

Mr D’Orazio is keen to build new pitches and facilities, including extra parking at the site. Frank Drago Reserve is also home to the Bayswater tennis, bowling and croquet clubs.

Council staff have recommended allocating $60,000 in the 2014/15 budget to devise a masterplan. Council will consider the request at this month’s council meeting.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK