Rectangular soccer and rugby stadium to be built at Perth Oval

17/2/02
Premier Geoff Gallop announced today that Perth Oval would be redeveloped into a rectangular multi-sports stadium.
Dr Gallop said the decision by East Perth Football Club to move to a refurbished Leederville Oval had opened the way for Perth Oval to be converted into a rectangular stadium.
"The new-look Perth Oval will be suitable for soccer, rugby union and rugby league and other sports that require a rectangular facility to host State, national and international events," he said.
"The redevelopment of Perth Oval is a major plank in the Government's State Sporting Facilities Plan, which is all about providing multi-use facilities that cater for a number of sports."
Dr Gallop said the State Government and the Town of Vincent would jointly provide the capital for the facility and the Town of Vincent will undertake management control.
The redevelopment, which will accommodate 19,500 people, will cost approximately $11.8million, of which the State Government would be contributing $6.8million. This is significantly less than the previous government's proposal for the Wellington Street stadium, which was estimated at $32million and would benefit only one sport.
The stadium will be built in stages over three years. Construction starts next April.
"This redevelopment is realistic and achievable and takes advantage of an existing facility rather than starting from scratch," Dr Gallop said.
There was provision for an additional four stages in the redevelopment of Perth Oval, however they would only go ahead once a full feasibility study had been undertaken.
The redevelopment will include:

• new grassed banks on the southern and northern ends of the pitch;

• upgrading of the existing gates and construction of two new entrance gates on the north-west corner and south of the oval;

• new half-sized training pitch behind eastern grandstand;

• a permanent eastern grandstand with corporate boxes, toilets and concessions;

• non-structural upgrade of the existing grandstand;

• new on-street car bays in Brewer and Pier Streets for approximately 100 vehicles;

• fixed irrigation system and upgrade of existing ground water bores;

• improvements to stairs, ramps, retaining walls, emergency lighting; and

• creation of 35,000sq.m of public open space surrounding the multi-use stadium.

Dr Gallop congratulated the East Perth Football Club for its decision to relocate to Leederville Oval to benefit other sports.
"I can understand how hard it would have been for East Perth to end almost 100 years of tradition at Perth Oval, but everyone wins," he said.
"They will have access to excellent new facilities at Leederville and give soccer, rugby, rugby league and other sports access to a piece of Western Australian sporting history, which will have a far longer life than if it was left in its current state."
Premier's office: 9222 9475