Published on Tuesday, 21 February 2023 at 4:29:18 PM
In recent weeks, there has been public discussion regarding the upcoming Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community Fair and the future of the Cruickshank Sports Arena.
The City values open and transparent communication with our community groups and residents. In the interest of providing clarification and accurate information, the following statement is issued.
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder acknowledges that Cruickshank Sports Arena has a rich history in the Goldfields; it was once an active multi-user facility for cricket, little athletics, horse trotting races, air cadets, kickboxing, badminton, and was also used by a variety of Kalgoorlie-Boulder sporting clubs. These activities were in addition to the annual Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community Fair which has called the Cruickshank Sports Arena home for 67 years.
Since this time, the City and funding partners (including the State Government) have invested in the development or renewal of state-of-the-art recreation facilities and entertainment precincts including the Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex, Lord Forrest Precinct, and the Centennial Park Soundshell.
Over time, several users of the Cruickshank Sports Arena have relocated their activities, leaving the Golden Mile Trotting Club, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Australian Air Force Cadets and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community Fair as the sole remaining users. The City has continued to consult and support the requirements of these users at the Oval.
The City acknowledges that significant planning has been undertaken by the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Fair Society to coordinate the Fair for the community every year, and as part of City operations, Officers have and will continue to work closely with community groups to support event delivery.
The City will support the Committee and facilitate alternate locations for their requested other bookings. These potential locations include:
- Boulder Markets - Loopline Park, Boulder
- Country Music Festival - stages at the Soundshell at Centennial Park, Kalgoorlie or Lord Forrest Park, Kalgoorlie
- Eat Street and New Year’s Eve events – location to be confirmed pending event requirements.
At next Monday’s Council meeting, Council will consider a sponsorship request for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Fair Society to the amount of $25,000 towards the 2023 Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community Fair, plus $7,000 in-kind support for site cleaning/preparation and crowd barrier hire.
Council will also consider a $15,000 contribution to support the relocation of the proposed 2023 Country Music Festival to Centennial Park for fencing and advertising.
As confirmed by Andrew Brien, CEO, at last night’s Agenda Briefing with Council, the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community Fair will be invited to an informal meeting with Council on 7 March 2023. He confirmed as per normal operations, the City will provide support for ensuring the safe delivery of this year’s Fair at the Cruickshank Sports Arena.
A commitment was also made to provide Council with a report detailing the Cruickshank Sports Arena condition and future use options at a future Council meeting which will include:
- A detailed assessment of the ground and facilities;
- A multiple-criteria assessment of the costs and community benefits;
- Current and future user feedback for the Cruickshank Sports Arena
The City is committed to working with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Fair Society on the delivery of their strategic plan and future planning for the annual Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community Fair and other community events they wish to hold.
At a special meeting earlier this month, Council decided to continue watering the Cruickshank Sports Arena’s oval until this year’s Fair as a demonstration of Council’s commitment to the annual event.
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