Wildcats to move to Warwick under Labor’s plan to upgrade stadium

The Wildcats and Perth Lynx basketball teams will move into a refurbished Warwick Stadium under a $26 million plan to rebuild the facility.

Labor has committed $16 million to the rebuild, which would include three new courts, new physiotherapy facilities, a new gymnasium, a wellness centre, coaches offices, function spaces, upgraded change rooms, toilets, umpire change rooms and community spaces.

Premier Roger Cook said the redevelopment would allow an extra 800 children to play basketball in the northern suburbs.

“Warwick has long been a key hub for basketball and this major upgrade will cater for the growing demand, while improving development pathways and become the home of our Perth Wildcats and Perth Lynx,” he said.

The remaining $10 million will need to be sourced from third parties.

Wildcats owner Mark Arena, a West Australian cybersecurity entrepreneur and supporter since childhood, said the club’s current facilities in Floreat were the most frustrating thing he’s come across since buying the club in August last year.

“We’re going from probably equal-worst facilities to really the best in the NBL and the best in Australia,” he said.

“I’m also really excited that we’re going to have here at Warwick stadium every level of basketball … I played here at primary school, all the way up every level to pro in a single place.”

Wildcat Jessie Wagstaff said new facilities could be a game changer for the club.