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PERTH Glory could soon abandon their home at the city's nib Stadium and move to the Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University.
The A-League side is exploring the possible relocation to the hockey ground in a move which would also see them become the first team in its code to play on a synthetic surface.
PerthNow can reveal that several members of soccer’s hierarchy, including Glory owner Tony Sage and CEO Paul Kelly, have visited the Curtin University fields on a number of occasions to discuss a move.
A-League games could be played there as early as the 2011-12 season.
It is believed that only minor changes would be needed to the arena.
But the initial outlay to convert the stadium would be more than made back within a couple of seasons.
PerthNow believes the Glory would pay around $50,000 a game if it moved to the Hockey Stadium, which is less than half of its costs to operate at nib stadium.
Cement walls on two of the boundaries of the playing surface would need to be moved 2m each and a grand stand erected on the outer side of the arena.
This stand would seat 7000, which when added to the 1000 seats already there and the 2000 that would be able to stand or sit on grass, would take capacity to the required 10,000.
Initial plans already are in place for a terraced 'hill’ to be developed.
The Glory is also exploring surface options and a drop-in pitch is almost certain.
Hockey is played on a turf with a pile of 19mm, while a soccer pitch is required to be at 65mm.
If a drop-in synthetic pitch was developed, it would be able to remain in place for the duration of the A-League season.
If a drop-in grass pitch was used, it would need to be taken in and out between games, to protect both the turf underneath and to maintain the drop-in one.
It is likely the Glory would have limited access to training time on the surface, but has already looked at suitable alternatives between games.
Hockey WA would stand to benefit financially by having a joint tenant at the venue.
As well as paying WA state league games there, Australia’s national sides are based there, as well as the WAIS hockey program.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/soc...-1226010336255
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
they don't need a lot of spectator seating...
The Shed will not be amused.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Certainly a lot of technical issues which need to be sorted, and molifying of the fans.
But the main issue is they're hamstringing themselves to a 10,000 seat stadium (which is only 3,000 at the moment) which gives them no room for expansion when they have their winning season next year.*
[* You know, the one they've been promising for the last 5 years!]
Maybe their using their current low crowd numbers to leverage a better deal at NIB.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Maybe I should start a thread about the Force moving there as well. Coach will believe it ...
But seriously, don't Glory associated companies have leasehold and management rights over Perth Oval from the Town of Vincent? Why would they walk away from that? Sage may not be much of a business man (his continuing ownership of the Glory is testimony to that), but surely the Chicken man he is/was in business with would want to recover his losses by screwing the Force?
If the move did happen i think it would be a further blow to the game that is suffering from low crowd numbers of late. I think i heard only 3,000 turn put to a final on the GC lately. not good at all.
Why don't they play at Burswood?
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?