New WACA lights add colour to Perth’s skyline
The WACA Ground has unveiled its upgraded light towers, featuring coloured LED lighting, making them the most sophisticated lighting package at any Australian stadium.
In addition to a stunning range of lighting effects, the LED strips can be programmed to form patterns and lettering which scrolls across the headframes in a myriad of colours, to create light shows with high visual impact.
WA Cricket CEO, Christina Matthews said the completed upgrade is a key moment for the Ground.
“The completion of the light tower upgrade is an important milestone in the WACA Ground Improvement Project, as we work to turn the Ground into a vibrant community and sporting hub for every Western Australian to enjoy,” she said.
“The WACA Ground now meets ICC light standards for match play which means we can continue to host world-class cricket, sporting, and entertainment events.
“This investment that will significantly reduce the running costs of the lights and extend the life of these towers by 25 years.”
The WACA Ground can now be lit up in the full colour spectrum, allowing it to be coordinated with the colours of Optus Stadium and the Matagarup Bridge for special events.
Coinciding with the unveiling of the new WACA lights, venues across Perth turned orange in support of the Perth Scorchers BBL season opener against Sydney Sixers at Optus Stadium.
The project to upgrade the WACA Ground lights took seven months, with local contractor Blu Electrical Services installing seven kilometres worth of cabling, more than 10,000 individual terminations, 89 individual lights and 420 metres of coloured LED strips.
All six headframes were dismantled into three sections, lowered 70 metres to the ground, then transported to Gloucester Park to strengthen and repaint the frames, before being replaced.
The demolition of one light tower (light tower 2 by Gate 2) is required to enable the construction of the new High-Performance Centre.
These works are due be completed prior to significant works under the WACA Ground Improvement Project (WGIP) Main Works contract which will commence early next year, with the Project due for completion in 2025.
The $154 million WGIP is anticipated to create 120 jobs in the construction phase and 250 ongoing jobs when operational.
The WGIP is jointly funded by the Australian Government, Western Australian Government, City of Perth, WA Cricket, and Cricket Australia.
Minister for Planning, Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA welcome the completed light upgrade.
“The new lights are a fantastic addition for the WACA Ground and means it can be lit up in the same colours as the iconic Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge, highlighting special events and causes,” she said.
“The new lights are just one part of the significant transformation underway at the WACA Ground, which will transform the iconic stadium into vibrant community and sporting precinct for everyone.
The project is a key part of the $1.7 billion Perth City Deal, a joint agreement between the three levels of government.
