New rectangular stadium not quite squared away

TIM CLARKE
May 21, 2010 - 12:08PM

The money is in place for Perth's upgraded rectangular stadium, which Premier Colin Barnet says will become one of the best in the country - but the agreement with the Town of Vincent needed for building to begin is still some way off.

Confirmed in yesterday's budget, stage one of the redevelopment of the former Perth Oval will see the eastern grandstand rebuilt with extra seats, additional corporate facilities, new change rooms and better facilities for fans all in the pipeline.

While indulging in an awkward photo-opportunity involving balls this morning, WA sports minister Terry Waldron was careful to be non-committal on how close a deal with the Town of Vincent was, with the issues of ownership of the site, and rent, the stumbling blocks.

Mr Waldron said construction was expected to start in 2012, "with the timetable contingent on reaching agreement with the Town of Vincent on the future ownership of the facility".

"With negotiations there are quite a few things to work through, and it has been going quite well. There are some issues regarding the lease," Mr Waldron said.

"I am confident we will get a resolution there fairly shortly.

"On some things we are not very far apart on at all – there are a couple of things we need to work through, but we will get there."

Allia Venue Management currently manages the venue on behalf of the Town of Vincent, with mayor Nick Catania saying today he believed the differences between state and council would be resolved "shortly".

"Any differences we have will be shortly resolved and we can start building – the true believer knew we were going to get this redevelopment," Mr Catania said.

"The only outstanding matter to reach agreement on being the rent.

"I am looking forward to the next year or two to cooperate so we can get a true state-of-the-art stadium which is so much needed."

Premier Barnett says his vision was to replicate Skilled Park on the Gold Coast.

"We are $82 million closer than we were yesterday," Mr Barnett said.

Both rugby and soccer welcomed the improvements to their shared home ground, with rugby league also set to benefit in their bid to return a WA team to the NRL.

"The redevelopment can only assist Perth Glory fulfilling its objective to be the best club in the Hyundai A-League and in Asia," Glory owner Tony Sage said.

Oval upgrade green light
21/May/2010

By Roslyn Hidding

Comments:

Mayor Nick Catania at Perth Oval.
TOWN of Vincent Mayor Nick Catania has welcomed a commitment by the State Government to pour $83 million into the Stage 2 development of Perth Oval (ME Bank Stadium).

The redevelopment of Perth’s major rectangular stadium, home to the Perth Glory and Western Force, will include a new three-tier eastern grandstand, which will increase its seating capacity from 18,000 to 25,000.

Twenty-four extra corporate suites will be built with other upgrades including improved lighting, a new electronic scoreboard, two new video replay screens, a new pitch and sub-soil drainage and increased CCTV surveillance.

The new grandstand will feature extra changerooms and improved player and spectator facilities.

“ME Bank Stadium is Perth’s premier venue for soccer and rugby and the redevelopment will ensure that these codes have a home ground to be proud of,” Mr Catania said.

“We have also continued to work closely with the Perth Glory management team to make sure that ME Bank Stadium remains the home of soccer in WA and improvements are made to help the club increase its member and fan base by making the stadium more spectator-friendly.”

A long-term lease of the facility is still to be signed with the State Government and the Town of Vincent yet to reach agreement on the rent.


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