Taskforce Advised Rectangular Stadium Sustainable
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RugbyWA has advised the Stadium Taskforce that a new or redeveloped rectangular stadium with a capacity of up to 35,000 people would be well-used and require no ongoing commitment from the State Government once established.
RugbyWA Chairman Geoff Stooke told the Taskforce a study of the demands of rugby union, soccer, rugby league and the entertainment industry in WA showed such a venue would host 56 events in 2008, growing to 66 by 2012.
He said the income generated from the events and a contribution by users to a sinking fund would cover operational and maintenance costs, meaning there would be no further call on government funds other than the initial construction cost.
Mr Stooke also flagged the risks associated with Super 14 rugby being played at Subiaco Oval indefinitely.
“We have surveyed our members and 59% of them overall – and 68% of the Gold category – expressed dissatisfaction with the seating at Subiaco Oval,” Mr Stooke said.
“Our membership is down from 21,000 to 17,000 in just a year, and half of those who did not renew cited Subiaco Oval as the reason.”
Mr Stooke said playing in an oval stadium would cost RugbyWA more than $1 million a year in lost revenue, a position which was not sustainable in the longer term.
He said an oval stadium with retractable seating was not the answer because less than 20% of the seating was relocated to a better viewing position and at a great cost each time.
“A 60,000 seat stadium is also too large for us and will result in a lack of atmosphere and, when beamed around the world, it will suggest a poor attendance,” he said.
“Spectators who go to the rugby want more than just quality football, they want a great entertainment experience and that would be compromised in a half empty stadium, even with a crowd of 30,000.”
Mr Stooke said the hard work of many, including the State Government, had been rewarded when WA won the fourth Australian Super 14 franchise, and now a West Australian team was playing on rugby’s world stage, and attracting record crowds.
He said it would a travesty if all that effort was to wither because of an inappropriate playing venue.
“This is not just about the sports fans. I can cite three economic impact studies which show the huge upside for a city like Perth when international rugby comes to town,” he said.
“We need a dedicated rectangular stadium, with corporate facilities similar to Subiaco Oval and a capacity of up to 35,000 people, if we are to guarantee the future of Super 14 rugby in WA,” he said.
Mr Stooke said the State Government and the Stadium Taskforce were to be applauded in the way process had been managed, and he was now looking forward to an outcome which would best suit the long term interests of rugby and other sports.
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Originally Posted by Egan
