Basssendean Oval Entrance Gate

Parent Place or Precinct

07403 Bassendean Oval

Statement of Significance

• The entrance gates have aesthetic value as a simple and intact example of the Inter War Stripped Classical style as applied to a public building and for their contribution to the streetscape.
• The entrance gates have historic value for their association with the development of the
Bassendean community in the Inter War period and the provision of sporting facilities for the
community.
• The entrance gates have social value for the Bassendean community as they are associated with the many events held at the ground and they contribute to the community sense of place.

Physical Description

A rendered concrete structure whose main feature is four arched openings. The outer two archways are bigger than the central two archways. Connected to the rear of the western archway is a small single storey, flat roofed building. The façade of this building has two rectangular openings which people can access by going under the western archway to buy tickets etc. The central two archways act as the entrance to the oval. Behind these archways is a covered enclosure where tickets are checked. Above the central archways is a curved feature which displays the name of the oval (Bassendean Recreation Reserve) and holds three flag posts placed at regular intervals. The eastern archway acts as the exit from the oval and is uncovered. All four archways are closed off with metal gates. There is a centenary plaque attached to the pillar between the central archways and a commemorative
plaque in the grassed area in front of the gates.

History

In 1901, Guildford Lot 196, Reserve 7401, was gazetted and initially set aside for “Government Requirements”, in 1902, the reserve was officially changed to “Recreation”. On 4 March 1904, the Bassendean Oval was vested in the Town of Bassendean. After the reserve had been partially cleared, a concrete cricket pitch was laid, followed by tennis courts and a shelter shed. In 1922, the West Guildford Road Board voted to change its name from West Guildford to Bassendean. In 1927, the first motions were made towards establishing a West Australian Football League (WAFL) football team at Bassendean whose home-ground would be Bassendean Oval. In September 1927, plans were prepared by Herbert Horsfall, Civil Engineer, for the Bassendean Recreation Reserve. The plans included the entrance gates (sometimes referred to as the Heritage Gates) at Brook Street showing the wording ‘Bassendean Road Board, Bassendean Oval, Grandstand Reserve’. In September 1929, the works for upgrading the Recreation Reserve to become an oval for league football were implemented, and a contract was let for the clearing, grading and fencing of the grounds including the entrance gates. On 7 December 1929, most of the works at the Recreation Reserve were completed, and Bassendean Oval was officially opened by the Hon. Philip Collier, giving the Bassendean football team a home ground and
headquarters. The opening of Bassendean Oval coincided with the centenary celebrations for the foundation of the Swan River Colony. The entry gates, constructed of rendered concrete, consisted of two change boxes, two double cyclone gate exists and two sets of turnstiles cost £390. In 1934, Bassendean Football Club was finally accepted into the WAFL (which had been renamed the West Australian National Football League (WANFL) in 1931) and played their first season in this year as Swan Districts Football Club. Bassendean Oval has been upgraded and altered since the 1930s in response to the changing needs and
requirements of players and the audience. A new entrance gate was constructed near Brook Street in 1970 reducing the use of these gates. The gates were included in the State Register of Heritage Places as part of the entry for Bassendean Oval.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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