Len’s legacy looms over Perth

Perth Arena, one of BGC's best known and most controversial projects. Source: News Limited

THE fingerprints of Len Buckeridge can be found all over in Perth on some of the city's most iconic buildings.

For more than five decades the loud spoken and headstrong BGC boss was at the helm of some of the most significant developments in our city.

Mr Buckridge passed away at the age of 77 this morning, after a long battle with illness.

■ PerthNow would like to hear your best stories and anecdotes about Len Buckeridge. Email staff@perthnow.com.au or leave a comment below.

His hand helped shape WA, with projects including:

■ Perth Arena

■ Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

■ WACA Ground redevelopment

■ Perth Police Complex, Northbridge

■ WA Athletics Stadium, Floreat

■ WA Basketball Centre

■ Armadale Health Campus

■ Curtin Business School

■ Cambrai Village RAAFA Retirement Community, Merriwa

■ Success Retirement Community

Ashes Cricket at the WACA Ground, which was redeveloped by BGC. Source: News Limited

The WA Basketball Centre, which replaced the old Perry Lakes facility. Source: News Limited

Mr Buckeridge came from humble beginnings.

His family emigrated from England and eventually settled in Rivervale.

But his home was not the luxurious pad he came to own later in his life, but a modest fibro shack.

Money was tight and he spent most of his childhood in hand-me-downs.

The BGC building on The Esplanade, Perth. Picture: Scott Podmore Source: Supplied

But a young Len excelled at school and went on to study architecture at Perth Tech.

A few years later he began BGC and the rest, as they say, is history.

But besides his business prowess, he was also known for his temper, which sometimes landed him in a lot of hot water.

In 1986, he reportedly lost his driver's licence after ploughing his Mercedes Benz through a union picket line at his Canning Vale site.

Len Buckeridge, with WA Premier Colin Barnett and Prime Minister Tony Abbott Source: News Limited

He has also spent a lot of time in the courts, and was known to spend millions on cases, dragging them out for years.

Mr Buckeridge had recently been caught up in a bitter legal battle with the WA government over his plans to build a private port at Kwinana.

For the past 15 years, the BGC boss has been fighting to have a deal he signed with the former Court Government to build a private port at James Point honoured.

Mr Buckeridge was seeking more than $1 billion in damages against the state over the matter.

The Barnett Government recently agreed to sell the port to the construction magnate in a bid to settle the dispute.

But it was recently reported, the sale has not gone smoothly with the Fremantle Ports authority which ran the Kwinana Bulk Terminal, still not handing over key financial records.

It is understood Mr Buckeridge was very keen to finalise the matter.

The first race at the new WA Athletics Stadium - Jody Henry (24) crosses the finish line in the 100m sprint. Source: News Limited

The Perth Police Complex in Northbridge, which opened last year. Source: News Limited

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Len’s legacy looms over Perth

Dengan url

https://budayacreatip.blogspot.com/2014/03/lenas-legacy-looms-over-perth.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Len’s legacy looms over Perth

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Len’s legacy looms over Perth

sebagai sumbernya