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Posted Jul 22, 2010 - 20:46 PM
by Brendan Leicester
PROBLEMS continue between West Perth and Arena Joondalup management, with the club now considering relocating if Venues West doesn’t give them a fair deal.
Under the current agreement, West Perth hands over profits from game-day lunches and club functions, and receives limited turnover from bar and catering services.
“We make nothing on our lunches and that is our biggest cost spend and would be at least $80,000 a year. We get no rebate on what we have to spend on game day even though there is no proof that Venues West shouldn’t help us out,” said club president Brett Raponi said.
“We want to be at Joondalup, but we have no lease and the question has to be put to Venues West if they really want us there.
“We have tried to negotiate a suitable deal, but have got nowhere and we’ve now left it with the commission.”
The Joondalup Falcons netball team hasn’t had much luck with Venues West either, after the club had to relocate to a more affordable location.
“They can’t even train at Joondalup because they can’t afford the rates Venues West charges. They have moved their training out to Kingsway, after they already changed their name, colours and logo to fit in with Joondalup.”
However, Kingsway Sporting Complex could be a venue option to house West Perth, and Raponi certainly sees a few upsides if the club did make the move.
“I drove past the venue at Kingsway and was very impressed, but the problem is it’s not in the City of Joondalup. It’s still in the same general area, though, and it’s very appealing. It has an air-conditioned bar, is fenced, the change-rooms are reasonable and the oval looks good,” Raponi said.
But all of West Perth’s financial woes could be remedied though, if the club agrees to the City of Joondalup’s offer to change its name, but Raponi can’t see that happening.
“We are on good terms with the City of Joondalup and they have been good with us, but they want us to change our name and we don’t see that is needed with the 125 years of history,” Raponi said.
