Update regarding new facility at East Fremantle Community Park

Further update regarding the new facility at East Fremantle Community Park.

Last Wednesday, independent turf specialists undertook extensive testing of the oval. While there has been progression, there remains a handful of small areas that were flagged as non-compliant.

We have been in frequent and ongoing communication with the Town of East Fremantle and Programmed (turf contractor) since Wednesday and have received confirmation that additional work will be undertaken this week.

Cam Sutherland – former WACA curator – is now leading this project. Cam is confident that the work being undertaken this week will position the oval to be deemed safe for play this season. The threshold for a new oval surface is higher than an existing surface, so we will continue to work with the turf experts and West Australian Football Commission to ensure all necessary work is undertaken to give us the best possible chance of getting onto the ground this year. The oval will be re-tested mid-July.

As a club we have expressed our disappointment at this ongoing delay, and we are working to finalise an alternative venue for our game on July 13, which will be confirmed shortly.

We understand that there is a disappointment each time there is a date proposed, only for it to be postponed. We have followed the advice of turf experts each time that the ground would be viable to play on this year. The board is currently investigating exactly what has gone wrong with the oval.

We have taken a firm stance in engaging local government and we will continue to fight for the Club’s right to thrive as an important part of the local community.

We don’t deserve anything less – and we won’t accept anything less.

In the meantime, let’s continue to support our players while we work through these challenges. Our Women’s League side has secured their spot in the Grand Final this Sunday July 7 as they chase back-to-back premierships against Claremont at Joondalup. Our Men are playing this Saturday against Perth at Mineral Resources Park.

So, let’s get behind the players and continue to unite for the Blue & White.