WACA Ground light towers to be upgraded to coloured LED

March 18, 2022

Events / Technology / Venues /

The light towers of Perth's historic WACA Ground are set to be upgraded with new LED coloured lights, to ensure the venue meets the International Cricket Council's (ICC) light standards for hosting international cricket, sporting and entertainment events.

The new lights will be able to coordinate with the colours of Optus Stadium and the Matagarup Bridge for special events.

The upgrade is part of the next stage of the WACA Ground Improvement Project (WGIP), which is being jointly funded by the Australian Government, Western Australian Government, City of Perth, WA Cricket and Cricket Australia through the $1.6 billion Perth City Deal.

The current light towers were added to the WACA Ground in 1986 and stand at around 70 metres high with each tower supporting an average of 136 light fittings.

The upgrade requires the 17-metre-high steel headframes to be taken down and transported off-site.

All headframes will be dismantled into three sections, lowered to the ground, then transported to a specialist metal fabrication facility to strengthen and repaint the frames.

The new light luminaires and coloured unibars will then be installed in the headframes at ground level at the WACA Ground before being replaced to the top of each tower.

The demolition of one light tower (light tower 2 by Gate 2) is required to enable the construction of the high-performance centre.

These works are due to be completed before the start of the 2022-23 cricket season and prior to significant works under the WGIP Main Works contract.

Western Australian Minister for Sport and Recreation, David Templeman enthused "this is a fantastic project that will allow the WACA to shine in a way it never has before.

"It will help unify it with our other fantastic sporting facilities and icons, and ensure that the facility can continue to host world-class events into the future."

Perth Lord Mayor, Basil Zempilas adds "the WACA not only brings local communities together, but also attracts people nationwide to come experience what this beautiful city has to offer.

"This is a key example of how the Perth City Deal, a proud partnership of all three levels of government, is delivering the projects Perth needs to grow and thrive - and the new WACA coloured lights fit perfectly with the City of Perth's new City of Light brand."

WA Cricket Chief Executive, Christina Matthews notes "the upgrade to LED lights is required to ensure the WACA Ground meets the International Cricket Council's (ICC) light standards and we can continue to host world-class cricket, sporting and entertainment events.

"It's an investment that will significantly reduce the running costs of the lights and extend the life of these towers by 25 years."

7th January 2022 - Upgrades to continue at Perth’s WACA following demolition of Inverarity Stand

27th September 2021 - City of Perth commits $25 million to WACA redevelopment but won’t fund pool operations

20th August 2021 - Work begins on upgrades to Perth’s historic WACA ground

7th July 2021 - City of Perth withdraws from funding community swimming pool at WACA ground

1st July 2021 - City of Perth looks to back out of WACA pool project agreement

26th March 2021 - Latest designs revealed for transformation of Perth’s WACA Ground

3rd August 2020 - Perth’s WACA to be remodelled as 10000-capacity boutique venue

15th December 2019 - Cricket welcomes Federal Government funding towards the WACA Ground

5th October 2019 - Former Western Australian Sport Minister Terry Waldron takes on new role as WACA Chair

22nd May 2019 - Uncertain future for Perth’s historic WACA

18th September 2018 - WACA and Murdoch University agree formalisation of long-standing relationship

18th December 2017 - Quieter future for the WACA with redevelopment still planned

7th December 2017 - Plans for WACA to be redeveloped as ‘boutique’ cricket venue

27th November 2017 - MCG secures new head curator from the WACA

14th July 2017 - WACA adds business and political experience to its board

12th May 2017 - WACA to host December Ashes Test

17th September 2016 - WACA Chief Executive Christina Matthews named Western Australia’s not for profit Leader of the Year

3rd September 2015 - WACA to lose major international games to new Perth Stadium

2nd September 2015 - Dennis Lillee resigns as WACA president

17th June 2015 - Western Australia Premier urges AFL teams to co-locate at the WACA

19th December 2013 - WACA abandons stadium redevelopment plan

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