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Perth's sporting facilities are about to enter the big league.
A $1 billion project to build the nation's third largest and most technologically advanced stadium at Burswood, announced by the government yesterday, is intended to transform the city's sporting culture.
Players have been promised "an extraordinary experience", while fans can expect an entirely new interaction, from the way they travel to the stadium to how they view the game.
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The 60,000-seat facility, with the capacity to expand to 70,000, will put Perth in the frontline to participate in international events hosted in Australia, such as the soccer and rugby world cups, while placing it in contention to bid on its own for coups such as the Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships.
It may also boost the current bid to resurrect a National Rugby League team in the West.
While AFL will be the central focus of the new facility, major games of all sporting codes would likely be scheduled there, including the Ashes and Twenty20 cricket as well as soccer finals.
Due to open in time for the 2018 AFL season kick-off, the stadium precinct also has the potential to attract hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the state.
AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said the new Gold Coast stadium proved tens of thousands of people would flock from the Eastern States to experience the modern facility.
Premier Colin Barnett confirmed the much anticipated location of the stadium yesterday, choosing Burswood over Subiaco and East Perth because of its perceived potential to re-energise the city's east.
The project will cost $700 million for the stadium - which has been given the working name Perth Stadium - plus $300 million for additional transport infrastructure, and the Premier said it would represent a historic turning point in Perth's sporting culture.
"This is the biggest single investment in sporting and entertainment infrastructure in WA history," Mr Barnett said.
"The stadium, when complete, will be second only in size to the MCG and the Sydney Olympic Stadium and it will be a world-class facility that this state will be proud of. The sporting men and women who will use it, I think they'll find it to be an extraordinary experience and the design, I think, will provide superb facilities for spectators."
A 'superb' spectator experience
The stadium would reflect the style of the highly regarded Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, which has a seating design praised for the intimacy it provides to fans.
"It will be tiered on top of itself like a wedding cake, giving very, very close views for the public," Mr Barnett said.
"There will also be a high emphasis on the comfort and facilities for spectators in terms of the seating plan, of seat size, of seats and facilities at the back of the stadium."
Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron confirmed it would feature retractable seating, despite problems with the technology at Etihad, to allow the field to be configured as an oval or rectangular ground.
The Perth stadium would be the first in the country to feature a lighting system that could dress the arena in the home team's colours. But it had not yet been decided whether Etihad's revolutionary lighting system that simulates sunlight and generates warmth would be adopted. And unlike Etihad's retractable roof, the Perth stadium would not be covered.
Poor soil quality meant there also would not be an underground car park. Drivers would be expected to park in one of the CBD's multi-storey car parks and walk across a purpose-built pedestrian bridge over the Swan River.
But the government expected up to 70 per cent of visitors to use public transport and would build a special events, four-platform train station at the venue that would service all of the city's four train lines.
"So it will be a very different environment for going to the football and other events," Mr Barnett said.
The stadium would be good news for West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers supporters because the additional 18,000 seats compared to Subiaco's Patersons Stadium would allow the clubs to address their years-long membership waiting lists.
Thousands more non-members also would be able to attend games, with general admission expanding and more seats for inter-state rivals.
"There will be seating allocations for visiting teams so we don't just stick them behind the goals at the western end; we'll look after them a bit better," Mr Barnett said.
Concerns the oval will sink
The Burswood location has been criticised for its poor soil quality, which has already caused subsidence issues at the site with the State Tennis Centre.
Only preliminary geotechnical assessments have so far been carried out at the site, with no drilling.
Mr Barnett said 30-metre pylons would be sunk into the ground to support the stadium, at a cost of $30 million. He guaranteed it would hold up.
"I assure you it's not going to sink," he said. "We know enough to know there's no risk to the project."
Revitalising East Perth
While the Burswood site presently lacks the bustling entertainment vibe of Subiaco, cafes and bars would be encouraged to establish there as part of the East Perth redevelopment project.
"[The Burswood site] offers the potential over years to come to have a new stadium as the centrepiece of a wider and broader entertainment and sports precinct," Mr Barnett said. "It is part of a plan to develop Perth as a vibrant capital city."
The stadium would become a focal point for the city's revitalisation vision, which also includes waterfront development.
However, the decision to build the stadium at Burswood meant the golf course was almost certain to disappear by 2018 and the Tennis Centre would have to be relocated.
Funding
The Premier has ruled out seeking funding for the project from James Packer's Crown group, despite the company's neighbouring Burswood Casino and entertainment complex inevitably benefiting from tens of thousands more visitors to the area, as well as public transport upgrades.
In defending his decision, Mr Barnett said past lessons had taught him not to mix business with government.
The AFL also could avoid forking out funds, despite the glaring benefits it would receive from having another top-rate facility.
"We do hope that the AFL will play a role but this is a government-funded project," Mr Barnett said.
The federal government, which withdrew its offer of $250 million for a new stadium when Australia lost a bid for the 2022 World Cup, was likely to pitch in - even if only to attract much-needed WA support.
"I would be confident there will be a significant contribution from the federal government," Mr Barnett said.
"You'll probably hear about that in the lead up to the next federal election."
Federal Minister for Sport Mark Arbib said he would continue discussions with the state government.
"I welcome the Western Australian Government's decision to proceed with the new Perth Stadium," he said.
"It is good news for Perth, with greater capacity, and good news for sport providing opportunities for more world class events.
What it means for Subiaco
The new facility will supersede Subiaco Oval, which has been the state's premier sporting facility for decades, generating a unique culture in the western suburb.
The Eagles intend to keep their headquarters there and continue training at the ground, and WAFL and other sporting games are expected to continue to be played there.
However, the decision not to build the new facility in the existing hub, which was the preferred option of the previous government's Major Stadia Taskforce set up to investigate options, would draw thousands of people away from the suburb each weekend, potentially impacting on local businesses.
Mr Barnett said building at Burswood would avoid the demolition of 32 private homes and 66 Homeswest properties.
He said there were "years" to deal with potential concerns for businesses, which may, but was unlikely, to lead to compensation.
"We deliberately took a decision for the future,'' Mr Barnett said.
"If you look at it right now, Subiaco is better served by transport, and is better served by entertainment around it. But looking to the future, or for the next decade, the next 50 years, then I'd imagine this whole precinct will be totally different than what it is today.''
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/pe...628-1gp4q.html
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
So is NIB stadium still due to be upgraded or not?
Perth Arena, a little 14,500 seat indoor stadium down on Wellington Street swap was due for completion now at a cost of about $250 million, I can assure you it is at least 18 months off completion and the cost will be closer to $1 billion, so based on this I would say Perth Stadium at Burswood will be ready for use around 2020 at a cost of $4 billion![]()
Last edited by The InnFORCEr; 29-06-11 at 14:00.
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Correct Jargs, straight after 2012 Super 15 season (i.e Construction to commence in a year from now!!).
Reps from Allia Holdings were taken on a tour of AAIM Stadium during the Captains Run in Melbourne, hope they took go notice![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
look i know we might feel like we (rectangle pitch) are missing out but either way - this is good for Perth and that whole area .. a good way to join the Cas and the City together .. 20 years when there are bars and restaurants etc all through out the east perth / bursdwood area - it will be awesome. Buy bUy Buy
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I don't see it as a loss at all. If we don't have at least 60,000 seats, we'll never see the All Blacks. The most significant thing I can see is that the rectangular codes aren't being forced to fund an oval! I don't believe we'll ever see it configured as a rectangle, so why bother spending extra money on the technology?
C'mon the![]()
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Like TIF, my scepticism runs deep. The cost they've quoted may be what it should cost, but their track record is appalling at cost control so let's hope they keep BGC well away from it. I note they haven't talked about costs associated with moving the tennis centre and golf course too...someone will need relocation/compensation. And what is with the idea that you'd park in the CBD and walk to Burswood...seriously!!?? And a new bridge+"special events" station requiring extension of three lines for $300M - yeah, right. Not sure how they'll get the Midland line out there, and on the topic shouldn't it be all five of the rail lines..do any of these clowns actually live here?
Personally I doubt the moveable seats will happen and, in truth, I'm not sure it should. If a game is being played in a 60,000 seat stadium, it is because of the crowd size. Why would you have 20,000 of those seats moved in - they end up with no cover and it does nothing for the bulk of the crowd/corporates?
The risk I see is that, as forecast by Langoulant, the cost is going to be much higher and to get return on investment they'll try and force everyone to use the stadium. Interesting that they think having a 60,000 seat stadium will boost the chances of getting an NRL side... If so, I hope RWA has the stones to put really big penalty clauses on them if they don't move the seats. Something along the lines of no penalty for one time in three years (stuff happens), then no ground fee the second time, then a penalty payment equivalent to ground fee every time after. Harsh, but won't matter if they are always going to move the seats. But any which way you look at it, after this new stand at NIB it will be 12-15 years minimum before they even look at doing anything rectangular.
The connection to all the existing rail lines got me as well. How do they expect to do that given the Midland line already uses a tunnel that goes under the Graham Farmer Fwy. I assume they will just turn the trains around just past Claisebrook Train Station, not exactly a direct link unless they plan to tunnel under Plain St and widen the current rail bridge over the Swan, but then the Freeway is there and there isn't alot of room. How do they plan to keep all 5 lines connected given the City Link project as well?
Barney Rubble seems to making alot of this up on the run. 2 years until contruction even starts which I am sure will see the cost blow out
How long until the next state election?
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And the next election safely out of the way.
They're right, the fact we even contemplate these pie in the sky proposals proves our stupidity and gullibility.
Wait till the actual facts come out rather than relying on a politician to announce it... They invariably get things wrong... Im sure there are logical solutions to the transport questions.. Lets see them before saying its impossible
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WHAT FUTURE FOR SUBIACO OVAL?
POSTED BY: TIM GOSSAGE ON 2011-06-29
Tim Gossage calls on Subiaco Council to consider thinking 'inside the oval'
Subiaco Council should re-design Subiaco Oval to a rectangular playing surface and attract rugby league, rugby union and soccer for 2018 and beyond. I am sure the Subi business owners would appreciate it.
There has been no guarantees from the Government that the new Burswood Stadium will cater for sports needing a rectangular playing arena.
Ask any Western Force, Perth Glory or rugby league fan or official and they will tell you a playing field inside an AFL sized ground doesn't work for anyone.......................
Read the rest of the article here...
Last edited by travelling_gerry; 29-06-11 at 17:12.