The City of Canning has voted to apply for a grant from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to fund the upgrade of change rooms and facilities at Wyong Reserve (Commonly referred to as Wyong Park or Oval) in Bentley.
Over a three-year period, the City is seeking $1,008,002 from the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) for the $3,024,006 project.
The current plan will see a renewal of the Wyong Sports Facility clubrooms and new changerooms installed at the Merv McIntosh Pavilion.
The proposed development will include two AFL-size gender-neutral change rooms with modern amenities, a new clubroom with a social hall, kitchen, public toilets, and dedicated umpire change areas.
Additional improvements include public kiosks, three club storage areas with furniture and display cabinets, a meeting room, verandahs with spectator viewing areas, and enhanced accessibility throughout the facility.
The officer’s report to the council notes that the ageing facilities at Wyong Reserve are becoming increasingly costly to maintain and are likely to see declining usage.
“If the application for CSRFF funding is not successful, Council will need to further consider whether the project will proceed in the 2025/2026 Financial Year through an additional municipal funding allocation,” the report stated.
“Delivering improved facilities will allow community user groups and clubs to increase participation rates and contribute to the City as a ‘welcoming and thriving’ community.”
The park is currently home to three sporting clubs, which make up the Canning Sports Association, the Canning South Perth Football Club, Bentley Cricket Club, and the softball Royals Sports Club, which have all been part of the consultation process.
Mayor Patrick Hall said the upgrades are desperately needed and hopes the grant will be approved to ensure the project proceeds sooner rather than later.
“The buildings are being renewed based on the condition of the assets and the need to improve access and provide for gender equality in the City’s sporting and community facilities,” he said.
“Wyong Park is already a thriving public open space, with significant active and passive usage of the reserve already occurring. The City will continue to support club growth and development at all sport and recreation locations.”
In a separate project, at this week’s council meeting, councillors also approved the officer’s recommendation to apply for additional funding to install new lighting at Willetton Reserve Pavilion.
“The Willetton sports lighting project presents an opportunity for the City to enhance sporting infrastructure by upgrading lighting and increasing access to the City’s soccer pitches,” the report said.
Willetton Reserve is currently home to the Canning City Soccer Club and Willetton Baseball, Junior Cricket and Softball clubs.
Through an application to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) Club Night Lights 2025/2026 funding program, the City can receive up to $448,000 from DLGSC to help cover the estimated $1,360,000 cost of the Willetton Park Sports Lighting Upgrade.
The report proposes increasing the oval’s lighting by doubling its current brightness levels, allowing for safer playing conditions and improved visibility during night-time sports and activities.
“The project will benefit all users of the oval by improving access and participation in physical activities at Willetton Reserve. It will allow Canning City to expand membership and schedule new training sessions at times that best meet the needs of its members,” the report states.
