WAFC to put more stadium heat on Barnett

[MI5_Dog]

The WA Football Commission will turn up the heat on the State Government's continuing refusal to discuss a new stadium in Perth in the coming weeks, by handing over their latest vision of a staged upgrade of Subiaco Oval.

While Premier Colin Barnett and his government have put off any discussion of a new stadium until at least February 2011, the issue refuses to go away - with the FFA's bid for World Cup 2018 and 2022 forcing some consideration, and the AFL also with their own agenda.

WAFC chief executive Wayne Bradshaw confirmed to WAtoday.com.au that their vision for an upgraded stadium, complete with images, would be handed over to the Government before Christmas.

The initial stage of the WAFC plan would see Subiaco Oval upgraded to a capacity in the low 50,000s initially, with obvious room for upgrades.

"We still believe in the rebuild option, and we hope to give over the document outlining our vision by Christmas," Bradshaw said.

"Clearly this is the biggest issue facing football in this state, and we would like it to move forward."

[Burgs]

I'm sure Colin is quaking in his boots...

[jargan83]

That 3rd AFL team must be putting the pressure on......

[AndyS]

Someone would have to be asking why a FIFA would be in any way impressed by a bid featuring AFL stadiums. Given the requirement for warm-up grounds etc, if there was a serious risk WA might have to host a pool they would be far more interested in a new rectangular stadium at the power station site supported locally by MES. Then post-cup, MES sold for development to offset stadium cost.

[GIGS20]

Lots of pressure being applied by a bunch of suits walking into PHouse with their hands out asking for money!!!!!!!

I'd compare them to balinese beggars and tell them to piss off.

[BaldCunus]

I'd compare them to balinese beggars and tell them to piss off.

now thats just uncalled for GIGS... I expect an apology from you for your insult towards Balinese Beggars........ they are by far much more superior human beings to those WAFC suits....

[travelling_gerry]

TIM CLARKE
November 11, 2009 - 10:47AM .
WA Premier Colin Barnett has accused Australia's football authorities of being less than truthful with the states over their bid for the 2018 and 2022 soccer World Cup – claiming several premiers had been approached to host the two available semi-finals.

Growing dissatisfaction from the states and territories over the FFA's handling of the bid process emerged after a meeting of state premiers last week, where a request for a national bid coordinator was made.

Mr Barnett revealed today the reason for that request was disquiet at the apparent offer of a World Cup semi-final to a number of the states and territories – despite there being only two such games to be hosted.

"They need to do a bit better job … we went around the table looking at our experiences at being approached by the football association and collectively we were not all that pleased," Mr Barnett said.

"We as premiers have put it to the Commonwealth government that we will support this event, invest in this event and be ready by 2022.

"But we really want to see someone, a professional to promote and coordinate

"The state premiers are saying that we will take it on trust, we will work on what would be a fantastic event for Australia - but we want to see better coordination across the country on this.

"When several states are offered the same event - a semi-final - we know the full truth is not there."

The growing tension will be discussed again at the next Council of Australian Governments meeting in Queensland on December 7, just four days before the FFA must submit their bid, including guarantees on stadiums, to soccer's governing body, FIFA.

Mr Barnett said today Perth would not miss out on the massive event if it was to come to Australia – and could even be in line to host one of those semi-finals.

"We will have a stadium that will be capable of hosting those matches, perhaps even a semi final," the premier told radio 6PR.

"To have an adequate stadium at Subiaco will probably be the easy part, there will be massive issues around security, accommodation.

"The Worlds Soccer Cup is bigger than the Olympics. Australia is capable of hosting it but it has huge implications."

FIFA is due to conduct inspections of potential facilities by the middle of next year.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wo...1111-i91w.html

[blueandblack]

I'm sure Colin is quaking in his boots...

About as much as he might have been with the bazillions of cleaners outside his office building this morning (protesting for 2 hrs).

[jargan83]

Someone would have to be asking why a FIFA would be in any way impressed by a bid featuring AFL stadiums

There is only one answer to that question and it is a simple one. They won't be impressed