(22/11/2018) New shed for Gil Fraser Reserve

North Fremantle sporting clubs will get some much needed storage space when a big new shed is built at Gilbert Fraser Reserve.

The oval is home to the North Fremantle Amateur Football Club, Fremantle Mosman Park Cricket Club and Fremantle Masters Football Club, while the WA Volunteer Fire Brigades also host their annual senior and junior championships at the ground.

The new shed will provide storage compartments for all of the clubs, including space for the cricket club to store its rollers, mowers and other machinery.

The fire brigades have been storing their equipment at the City of Fremantle depot since their decrepit old storage facilities at the ground were removed eight years ago.

The secretary treasurer of North Fremantle Associated Clubs, Armando De Abreu, said the new shed would be a godsend for all of the clubs that use the oval.

“Currently some of the stuff is stored in a 40-foot container, which we would like to get rid of because it’s a bit of an eyesore,” Mr De Abreu said.

“For the fire brigades it will allow them to relocate their gear back out of the council yards onto the ground.

“The turf wicket rollers and mowers - some it is kept in the container, some of its keep outside the container - that can now be properly housed and we can get rid of what is a little bit of visual pollution.

“It also allows us to address the driveway onto the ground beside the shed, which will be completely reconstructed.”

The total cost of the project is expected to be between $50,000 - $60,000, with the City of Fremantle contributing $20,000 and $10,000 coming from the federal government’s Stronger Communities program.

Federal Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson said the small grants available through the Stronger Communities program can make a big difference for local sporting clubs and community groups.

“It’s a nice balance too because it’s matched funding,” Mr Wilson said.

“The clubs and other organisations - local governments as well - are putting in some funding, the clubs have done a bit of fundraising and then there’s the additional contribution from the federal government and it makes it happen.

“In my view it’s a really useful and nourishing program because it really does help grassroots organisations to take that next step in their operations.

“Almost every grassroots organisation will have some aspect of what they do that needs a bit of love, needs to be upgraded or something new, and this enables that.”

The new shed will be the latest in a series of upgrades to facilities at Gilbert Fraser Reserve.

Earlier this year the City of Fremantle and sporting clubs combined to renovate the changerooms under the historic grandstand at the oval, including fresh paint, new carpet and refurbished showers and toilets catering for both men and women.

The outside of the 100-year-old grandstand was renovated by City of Fremantle in 2016.