What's the proposal?

Council, in partnership with Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club (ESCC), is investigating constructing an indoor cricket training facility attached to the Margaret Whitlam Recreation Centre (MWRC).

The addition to the MWRC will have a lightweight roof so that views from the park are maintained over Bondi and out to the ocean. The cricket pitches will have retractable nets surrounding to stop balls from damaging the structure. The design will be environmentally responsive considering acoustic and weather protection, including energy use, natural cross flow ventilation, sound (attenuation, echoing and vibration), summer heat and humidity, rain, wind and winter cold.

Reconfiguring the existing club rooms, the location and provision of amenities within the MWRC, the layout and location of the commercial café, the interface of the building within the Park, and the exterior landscaping will all be considered as part of the project.

We are proposing to build in this location as it is on top of the Margaret Whitlam Recreation Centre’s indoor multi-purpose courts, attached to an already established facility.

The building will be funded via a joint funding proposal between Council, ESCC and the NSW State Government with potential funding from Federal Government. The following funding contributions are anticipated, exclusive of GST:

Funding Source	Amount
Waverley Council	$450,000
Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club/ Cricket NSW	$450,000
State/Federal Govts (application pending)	$2,700,000
Total	$3,600,000

Construction is not expected to start until 2023 at the earliest.

What will it be used for?

It has been designed as a cricket training facility to be managed by Waverley Council and used by Easts Cricket Club, community clubs, schools, and coaches. It could also be hired for use of non-programmed activities like Yoga and Pilates.

Current uses	Proposed uses	Proposed features
Public open space Passive recreation with views of the ocean Spectator area	Indoor cricket practice facility for local Club and broader cricket community Could be used by schools for cricket practice Venue hire for fitness including yoga/Pilates Sports training	The proposed structure is lightweight to maintain views of the ocean from the park Four indoor cricket pitches Shared flexible community space Additional toilets and kitchenette facility to service club rooms and the new facility

Have your say

A concept design has been drafted as a guide for community consultation. Council is keen to gauge community feedback on this proposal for further consideration.

Survey can be located in the Survey tab of this page.

Attend an online event to provide more feedback and speak directly with the project team.

There are two community information sessions. Registration is essential.

Wednesday 3 November, 7pm-8pm - Waverley Park Plan of Management: This is for the project team to understand how the space is used, who is using it, how they get there and where it could improve. There will be a focus on the POM in general and the playspace and fitness station.

Thursday 4 November, 7pm-8pm - Waverley Park POM and Indoor cricket net training facility: The project team will give a short overview of the Plan of Management and the cricket nets, then it will be your turn to ask questions and provide feedback.