Perth Voice Interactive

WE got excited when we heard the Vincent council-owned Beatty Park aquatic centre had recreated Project X with the party of the century, but it turns out the initial claims might’ve been a little exaggerated and there was definitely no Mercedes in the pool.

We received a letter this week concerned about “binge drinking” at the ratepayer-funded bash, with someone who’d attended claiming “there was in excess of 100 cartons [of] beer supplied”.

“As a member and ratepayer should we be wasting huge amounts of money on a booze up?” the reader asked.

We asked Vincent council and got a description of a little more subdued affair: 20 cartons of beer opened, along with 96 bottles of wine and bubbly.

The event cost about $7000 and all 3300 Beatty Park members had been invited, with 222 showing up, meaning about $31.50 was spent per guest.

CEO Len Kosova says the event’s designed for members to meet new people and socialise, “enhancing the ‘club’ experience and promoting Beatty Park as a community hub”.

He says the three bar staff limited service to two drinks per person at a time. There were also softies and food available and a free taxi service to Leederville train station and other local hubs after the 9.30pm close time.

Mr Kosova points out a senior law professional, who’s also a Beatty Park member, wrote a memo saying: “a wonderful party—I wanted to note that I felt that all the employees took their role as hosts very seriously, looking after us all as their guests. Thanks to everyone.”

So maybe we didn’t miss the party of the year. Shucks.

by DAVID BELL