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Taskforce unveils new stadium plans
23rd May 2007, 9:45 WST
http://thewest.com.au/default.aspx?M...ontentID=29475
An artist's impression of Perth's new $850 million outdoor stadium
Plans for a multi-purpose 60,000-seat stadium with swinging lower tiers capable of changing pitch configuration were unveiled by the State Government’s stadium task force today.
Task force chief John Langoulant officially handed over a two-volume report to Sport and Recreation Minister John Kobelke this morning and declared it would be “a great missed opportunity” if the sporting codes and Government didn’t embrace the plan.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to get this right,” he said.
Mr Langoulant said four sites for the new stadium were considered in the long-awaited report – Kitchener Park in Subiaco, East Perth, Burswood or a redeveloped Subiaco Oval.
Though the final decision was up to the Government, the taskforce’s equal preferred options were Kitchener Park or East Perth.
An artist's impression of the new outdoor stadium at the East Perth location
An artist's impression of the new outdoor stadium at the Kitchener Park location
The report also recommended the new stadium be built in the next four to eight years.
Mr Langoulant said the WA Football Commission’s proposal for a $400 million redevelopment of Subiaco Oval for a 55,000-seat stadium was a "patch-up job" and would still leave Perth in need of a separate rectangular stadium.
He said the new stadium, which could be increased to 70,000-seat capacity in the future, would be capable of attracting and hosting major Socceroos internationals and Bledisloe Cup rugby union fixtures, as well as major entertainment events.
The new stadium configured for rugby and soccer matches
The completion costs of the stadium if built at Kitchener Park would be $849 million, a similar figure to the East Perth proposal - costed at $821 million.
Burswood offered many attractions but would be more expensive at $1.147 billion, there were question marks over the soil at the site and it had inferior transport options.
As the overseers of the biggest sport in Perth, WAFC backing is crucial if the new stadium is to go ahead, but there is a big question mark over whether that support will be offered.
The new stadium configured for AFL football matches
The new stadium decked out in Fremantle Dockers or West Coast Eagles colours
A key recommendation of the report was that there should be no stadium built at all unless it was under the direct control of a Government-appointed trust or authority.
That would require the WAFC to relinquish control over the ground on which its sport is played.
It would also mean a move from football’s spiritual home, Subiaco Oval.
Mr Langoulant said he believed football would come to the party.
“This is just such a great chance. I believe that the Football Commission will come on board,” he said.
“Football is going to be the biggest beneficiary by far.”
Another big question is whether the Government will even approve construction of new stadium, which would be 90 per cent built with State funds with the possibility of a contribution from the Commonwealth.
“Well, clearly I would be very disappointed (if the Government decided to merely patch up Subiaco Oval),” he said.
“It would be a great missed opportunity.
“We have just got to take that first step. We have got to be bold enough.
“What we ought to do more of in this city is to build iconic buildings and celebrate them.”
The report also recommended that Members Equity Stadium be retained as Perth’s rectangular stadium with some minor improvements.
Mr Langoulant said it was impossible to assess a plan from the WACA to redevelop that ground because they provided no planning or financial details.
The report instead recommended that the WACA sell the loss-making ground and fund a domestic cricket venue with the proceeds from the sale of the land.
The new stadium configured for cricket matches
Earlier, Mr Kobelke welcomed the arrival of the report and thanked the taskforce for its thorough work.
“The degree of planning that’s gone into this is absolutely essential if we are to build a world-class stadium in WA,” he said.
DANIEL EMERSON
Full Report available from the Major Stadia Taskforce here: http://www.majorstadiataskforce.com.....aspx?MenuID=7