Perth Stadium

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Perth Stadium
nickname =


caption =
location = Subiaco, Western Australia
broke_ground =
opened = 2014 (planned)
closed =
demolished =
owner = Government of Western Australia
operator =
surface = Grass
construction_cost =
architect =
design-builder =
former_names =
tenants = Fremantle Football Club (AFL) (planned for 2014-)
West Coast Eagles (AFL) (planned for 2014- )
Western Force (Super 14) (planned for 2014- )
seating_capacity = 60,000 (approx.)

Perth Stadium is a proposed multi-purpose sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. It will be located in the suburb of Subiaco, a few kilometres west of Perth's city centre. It is to be built adjacent to Subiaco Oval on Kitchener Park. With a capacity of 60,000, Perth Stadium will be Western Australia's largest sports venue.

The stadium is scheduled to be built between 2011 and 2016, with the majority of the stadium being completed in 2014. Subiaco Oval will be demolished between 2014–2016 to allow the end of construction on Perth Stadium. The staged construction would allow for football to be played at the new venue by 2014, when the stadium is two-thirds completed with an initial capacity of 40,000 seats. [http://news.theage.com.au/perth-to-get-new-11-billion-stadium/20080208-1r2m.html Perth to get new $1.1 billion stadium] "The Age" February 8, 2008] Andrea Mayes, [http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23180266-2761,00.html $1.1b sport stadium for Kitchener Park, Subiaco] , PerthNow, February 8, 2008]

The stadium will mainly be used for Australian rules football matches, being the home ground for the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Football Clubs, the two Western Australian teams in the Australian Football League. It will also be the home ground for Perth's Super 14 rugby union team the Western Force, and will be available for rugby union Test Matches, cricket, soccer and rock concerts.

Background

In 2005 the West Australian Football Commission released a $235 million plan (excluding transport infrastructure or land acquisitions) to increase Subiaco Oval to a 60,000 seat venue in a staged project. An alternative plan was tabled for the construction of a new stadium, called "Stadium WA", which would seat 70,000 and have retractable seating to cater for rectangular field codes.

The Government of Western Australia had already commenced development of a Major Stadia review project in late 2003 which led to much interest in the future of major sporting venues in Western Australia. A Major Stadia Taskforce was appointed in early 2005 and it released its final report in May 2007, which recommended the construction of a new 60,000 seat stadium at either Kitchener Park (which adjoins Subiaco Oval) or in East Perth, which would be suitable for Australian rules football, cricket and also rectangular-field sports such as rugby. Construction costs of $850 million were based on a December 2008 start, with a four-year completion period. It recommended against the further development of Subiaco Oval, which would be demolished.

In July 2007 the Government of Western Australia announced its preference to build a new 60,000-seat stadium rather than re-develop Subiaco Oval, [ [http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=33344 New stadium the right option, Kobelke says] AAP in "The West Australian" July 4, 2007] and in early 2008 it confirmed that Subiaco Oval would be demolished for the new Perth super-stadium to be built next door at Kitchener Park. This site was chosen ahead of the other suggested site at the old East Perth Power Station, which will instead house a new $500 million museum.Government of Western Australia, [http://www.sra.wa.gov.au/SubiCentro/NewsEventsANDPublications/MediaReleases/08+February+2008+-+New+Major+Sports+Stadium+for+Western+Australia.htm Media Release: 'New major sports stadium for Western Australia'] , February 8, 2008]

Characteristics

The stadium will be oval in shape to accommodate Australian rules football and cricket games. The stadium will also have retractable seating which will reconfigure the venue to make it suitable for rectangular-field sports codes, such as soccer and rugby. [http://www.lmsc.com.au/news.php?newsid=1641 Big State Needed Big Decision For A Big Stadium] , Local Media Services Company, February 10, 2008] These retractable seats will number 22,000, and will be situated along the touch lines and behind the posts in the rectangular configuration.

Although intended to hold 60,000 people, the stadium will be designed in such a way that the capacity can be increased to 70,000 if needed in the future.

Cost

The stadium is expected to cost $1.1 billion, including $800 million to construct the stadium itself and $300 million in associated infrastructure, property acquisition, escalation, transport infrastructure and other costs. This will involve resuming 27 private residences and moving residents from another 66 state housing properties surrounding Subiaco Oval. These state housing tenants will be relocated within the Subiaco area.

The project will be funded by the Government of Western Australia, which has announced that it will be seeking Federal Government and private help to fund the project, but that it was not relying on it. It will be overseen by the Government's Office of Strategic Projects.Government of Western Australia, [http://www.sra.wa.gov.au/SubiCentro/NewsEventsANDPublications/MediaReleases/08+February+2008+-+New+Major+Sports+Stadium+for+Western+Australia.htm Media Release: 'New major sports stadium for Western Australia'] , February 8, 2008]

References

External links

* [http://www.perthstadium.com.au Government Website]
* [http://www.sra.wa.gov.au/SubiCentro/NewsEventsANDPublications/MediaReleases/08+February+2008+-+New+Major+Sports+Stadium+for+Western+Australia.htm Official government media release about the project (February 8, 2008)]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/08/2158089.htm Images of the new stadium ("ABC News")]
* [http://www.postnewspapers.com.au/20080216/news/006.shtml Article in the "Subiaco Post"]
* [http://afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=55097 Announcement by the Australian Football League]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/09/2158422.htm Reaction of the Fremantle and West Coast Football Clubs to the new stadium ("ABC News")]