Staging details contained in Cwlth Games bid

30/6/96

Purpose-built and temporary facilities will be used to stage 15 sports ranging from traditional events to one-day cricket if the Commonwealth Games are held in Perth in 2006.

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said that in keeping with the bid's focus on the Swan River, many events would be staged along the river foreshore, such as Rugby Union Sevens in Langley Park and the triathlon which would use a course involving the Swan River, the Esplanade and Riverside Drive.

"By using temporary stands, such as those to be utilised in the Sydney Olympics, we would be able to use the open areas along the foreshore and display the magnificent Swan to its full advantage," Mr Moore said.

"Existing venues, such as the Superdrome and Whiteman Park, would be upgraded and there are plans for a new sports stadium to be built at Belmont Park.

"In its bid, Perth is pushing for the inclusion of a number of other sports - including rugby union and one-day cricket - in addition to the regular events contested at each games.

"The proposal would see limited overs day/night cricket at the WACA Ground, while a temporary stadium holding 20,000 would be erected for a Rugby Union Sevens tournament."

The sports and the venues are:

·   athletics - new stadium at Belmont;

·   swimming and diving - Superdrome;

·   badminton, squash, netball - new convention and exhibition centre to be located in the city;

·   lawn bowls - Ladies Bowls' Headquarters, Plain Street;

·   weightlifting - Burswood Resort Showroom;

·   boxing - Entertainment Centre;

·   cycling - Speed Dome and Kings Park (road races);

·   shooting - Whiteman Park;

·   cricket - WACA;

·   rugby union - Langley Park;

·   triathlon - Swan River, Riverside Drive, Kings Park; and -

·   hockey - Bentley.

Mr Moore said Perth would be promoted as an athletes' city, with the majority of the events being held within three kilometres of the central business district.

"This, combined with the State's 'can-do' record in hosting international events and the fantastic reputation Perth enjoys as a friendly and beautiful city, is one of the key elements we will be urging the national committee to consider when deciding to endorse a city," he said.

Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory have indicated that they will also submit a bid.

Mr Moore congratulated the Commonwealth Games Bid Committee, which is chaired by Town and Country Bank Managing Director Ray Turner, for putting together an excellent bid which captured the spirit of WA.

It is expected that an evaluation committee will visit Perth in September and will make a recommendation on the preferred Australian city to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association by October. The association should make its final selection soon after.

The final decision on who will host the 2006 Games will be made when the Commonwealth Games Federation meets late in 1999.

There have been three Commonwealth Games in Australia - Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962 and Brisbane in 1982.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444