Athletics club wins in carve-up
Land resumptions, a necessary evil in building major road infrastructure, can be heartbreaking and divisive.
But amid the potential gloom associated with land resumptions for the $1 billion Gateway WA project, there has been an upside.
Gateway WA - the State's biggest and most expensive road project - includes a major upgrade of the Leach Highway-Abernethy Road intersection.
This meant part of Gerry Archer Reserve had to be resumed, jeopardising the future of Belmont Little Athletics Club.
A $4 million compromise was achieved after talks involving the City of Belmont.
The running track was realigned and expanded from six to eight lanes and new long jump and shot-put facilities built.
Tiered seating in the grandstand was put in, new lighting was installed and a new equipment storage shed was built.
"Despite all the disruptions along the way, I think it's been a win for us," club past president Glenn Bartlett said.
"We have ended up with a very fine arena."
A Gateway WA spokesman said undertaking and paying for the reconfiguration of the reserve was "an opportunity to leave a legacy for the local community".
