Are their any pics?
Or did I just embarress myself by asking this coz its been cancelled or something T_T
to lazy to read the thread I got a headache and my panadol fails epicly :P

^^
I wish , at the moment the only stadium going up is Perth Arena
also A.K Reserve, which that cancer run is being held at and i got asked to go along too, not sure if ill go though :)

Has anyone seen the Basketball one lately, is it finished yet?

if there going to do Medibank I hope they move there ass and get started, shits me off when they take ages to start things!

Went past the basketball stadium at AK Reserve on the w/e. It is due to open in October - I'd say towards the end of it. Appears to be a bit to do on the outside, but hard to tell how much on the inside needs to be done. Then there will be the Rugby facility next door to go up.

Awesome, thanks bart
My brother went past it a few weeks back, i've never been past it
but he told me it looks huge haha
I should go have a look one day :)

I was quoting the post :) My bad.

^^
I wish , at the moment the only stadium going up is Perth Arena
also A.K Reserve, which that cancer run is being held at and i got asked to go along too, not sure if ill go though :)

Has anyone seen the Basketball one lately, is it finished yet?

if there going to do Medibank I hope they move there ass and get started, shits me off when they take ages to start things!

relay for life? if so u should do it, it's a good day/night actually. we did it for the first time this yr, will be doing it again next yr.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/force-grog-flop-hits-glory-rabbitohs-games-20090929-ga50.html

Force grog flop hits Glory, Rabbitohs games
CHRIS THOMSON
September 30, 2009 - 6:54AM

The Western Force's failure to sell alcohol-free memberships at Subiaco Oval may see the number of family seats at Perth Glory and South Sydney Rabbitohs fixtures in Perth slashed by 93 per cent.

In support of a liquor licence application for its new home at ME Bank Stadium, the Force admits it sold only 20 - or 1.2 per cent - of its 1671 alcohol-free seats at Subiaco this year.

In 2007 the Force quarantined 661 alcohol-free seats for its members at Subiaco.

WAtoday.com.au has obtained a submission from Western Force management to liquor approval authorities that reveals there was "almost no take-up" of the bays then or in 2008.

------------------------
Do you support alcohol-free seating at sports matches? (http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/force-grog-flop-hits-glory-rabbitohs-games-20090929-ga50.html#comments)
------------------------

In response, the Super XIV rugby franchise this year extended its alcohol ban to an additional 1010 seats which were marketed at a cheaper price.

"Despite the extra seats being added, and the consistent promotion to our members of the alcohol-free seating option available, we currently only have 20 members who elect to sit in these areas," the Force submission says.

For its inaugural 2010 season at ME Bank Stadium, the Force plans to offload to the general public any alcohol-free seats not bought by members.

Responding to the Force's relocation, Perth Oval caterer Spotless has demanded the State Government approve a 93 per cent cut to the venue's alcohol-free "family" seating from the current 1922 seats to just 144.

This would slash M E Bank Stadium's proportion of alcohol-free seats from the current 10 per cent to just 0.7 per cent - well below the 4 per cent of Subiaco seats from which Western Force fans had been banned from consuming alcohol.

The Government's Drug and Alcohol Office, and Liquor Enforcement Unit, have already expressed concerns about the plan.

In another blow to rugby's relocation, WAtoday.com.au can reveal that at a secret session last week, Town of Vincent councillors rejected a bid by the Force to erect a 750-patron marquee on a park beside ME Bank Stadium for the entire Super XIV season.

Before the meeting, council CEO John Giorgi slammed as "totally unacceptable" the mooted Loton Park location.

He expressed dismay that the town had not been consulted over the plan, hatched by the Force and stadium management company Allia.

Also scuppered at the secret session was a plot by the Force to usurp the council's stadium executive suite while imminent venue renovations were underway.

Mr Giorgi claimed he was not consulted on that idea either, and that his council needed the suite for "various events".

Article missed a while back - p16 Aug 23 The West


Tour of Subiaco Oval shows why football wants stadium upgrade
L1NDSAY McPHEE

From its narrow, dim concrete corridors to its ageing, cramped seating, it is obvious Subiaco Oval is light-years from a world-class stadium.

If you are 1.83m or taller, forget about sitting in the three-tier stand and if you do, with next to no toilets at the top, you must choose between the game and the long trek downstairs to fight through crowds queuing for toilets, food and drinks.

Anyone in a wheelchair will not get up there anyway because there are no lifts, only narrow stairs and corridors.

Minimal space for caterers has forced some vendors to serve from vans outside the stadium and those lucky enough to operate inside face a charge of patrons jostling for service in cramped conditions.

The WA Football Commission gave The West Australian a tour of the facilities on the eve of its submission to the State Government for a staged redevelopment.

The ground AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has called the "least adequate" in Australia has been built progressively over the years, resulting in a hotch-potch of stained concrete and cobbled-together rising and falling levels.

Even replacing the small, uncomfortable seats with bigger ones and creating more space between them is not an option because it would reduce the stadium's 43,000 capacity when the WAFC's aim is to provide for more than 50,000.

"It was built in a piecemeal way so it does not have that cohesiveness and it is not what people expect nowadays," Subiaco Oval facilities director Geoff Glass said.

"It is inadequate by today's standards. The seating, accessibility, space you have for catering and public toilets are all much less than what they would be in a contemporary building.

"Modern facilities would include lifts, escalators and overcome mobility issues."
A State Government report saying.^ the stadium is structurally sound and" could last another 40 years with minor maintenance was no surprise to the WAFC because concrete stadiums were built to last 80 to 100 years, Mr Glass, said.

However, the structure's integrity was not the problem. "It is what happens when 43,000 people descend on it to watch a football match," he said.

umm... :sly: i just found this on the Department of Sport and Recreation Website...

http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=856

Major projects in sport and recreation

The department is involved in many major projects to enhance the sport and recreation industry.

A new multi-purpose stadium will replace ageing Subiaco Oval. The new 60,000-seat venue will be built at Kitchener Park, Subiaco.

The State Government has allocated $336 million over the next four years towards the project, including $27.7m for transport infrastructure, $39.6m for land acquisitions, $25.7m for social housing development and $243m towards planning costs and to begin construction.

Concept design and master planning is expected to be completed in the latter part of 2008, with site acquisition and land consolidation due to be finalised by September 2009.

could it possibly be true, or has it just been hidden to the admin of the site, since the days of the labor government...

^^ It'd have to be quite old. Surprised it is still there.

although i did just read the report about the useful life of the current stands at Subi, and it mentions that very point, and it said that the stadium group was only under review not cancelled when the new government came in...

http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=3290

I heard that in the last couple weeks the mayor of Cockburn was still trying to court the government into developing the stadium in Cockburn city limits.

Hell, at this point I'd settle for the Subiaco refurbishment. I've come to grips with the fact that we're not going to hear about any big sporting related development in the near future.

Anything but Cockburn.

Anything but Cockburn.

Logistically, I think it would be ideal having the stadium right next to the freeway and rail. That said, there's so little density in Cockburn that I think we'd lose a lot, spirit wise, with the move.

At least with Subiaco there's a bit of life around the stadium. Fucking joke that they didn't have any foresight with the parking, but that seems to systemic here in Perth (I'm still pissed that they scrapped the stylised parking structure above the rail-line for Perth Arena).

My vote would be Herrison Island, if only to boost that (relatively dull) end of the city.

umm... :sly: i just found this on the Department of Sport and Recreation Website...

http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=856



could it possibly be true, or has it just been hidden to the admin of the site, since the days of the labor government...

Page last updated 2nd Feb 09. Sigh, we'll be old and grey (er, grayer) by the time an announcement is made.

Logistically, I think it would be ideal having the stadium right next to the freeway and rail. That said, there's so little density in Cockburn that I think we'd lose a lot, spirit wise, with the move.

At least with Subiaco there's a bit of life around the stadium. Fucking joke that they didn't have any foresight with the parking, but that seems to systemic here in Perth (I'm still pissed that they scrapped the stylised parking structure above the rail-line for Perth Arena).

Screw parking. Traffic is bad enough around Subiaco as it is on game day, add more parking and it will be worse. If people don't want the hassle of finding parking then they can take the train.

Logistically, I think it would be ideal having the stadium right next to the freeway and rail. That said, there's so little density in Cockburn that I think we'd lose a lot, spirit wise, with the move.

Longer term they're trying to make the Cockburn town centre medium-high density.

At least with Subiaco there's a bit of life around the stadium. Fucking joke that they didn't have any foresight with the parking, but that seems to systemic here in Perth (I'm still pissed that they scrapped the stylised parking structure above the rail-line for Perth Arena).

My vote would be Herrison Island, if only to boost that (relatively dull) end of the city.

They're trying provide incentive to use public transport, though they haven't added enough capacity on the rail system to make it a competitive option yet.

Screw parking. Traffic is bad enough around Subiaco as it is on game day, add more parking and it will be worse. If people don't want the hassle of finding parking then they can take the train.

dude its perth and people will still want to drive in. happens the world over.

^ off topic but do you have another alias on here? You don't come across as someone who's new to the WA forum.

^ off topic but do you have another alias on here? You don't come across as someone who's new to the WA forum.

Auxodium?

im here mate

been busy with work, uni and other things... and watching Perth climb up the table.

dude its perth and people will still want to drive in. happens the world over.

and that is why they have to be forced to take the train ;)

and that is why they have to be forced to take the train ;)

such a heavy handed response. No one will do that

Longer term they're trying to make the Cockburn town centre medium-high density.

I drive down to Munster every week weeks to visit my folks, driving past Cockburn Central. While I know there are plenty of plans based around the hub, it's still slow going, and a definite step down compared to Subiaco.

They're trying provide incentive to use public transport, though they haven't added enough capacity on the rail system to make it a competitive option yet.

Actually, Cockburn Central is amazingly indicative of this. I've talked to plenty of people who've stopped taking the train because it's next to impossible to find a space at the park and ride. They could boost the use of the rail system by thousands a day if only there was enough parking.

Screw parking. Traffic is bad enough around Subiaco as it is on game day, add more parking and it will be worse. If people don't want the hassle of finding parking then they can take the train.

I'd love it if people used that mentality, but people love driving their cars here in Perth. We're still decades away from seeing locals change their mindscape from Perth being a big town to being a true city, and using the public transit as such.

and that is why they have to be forced to take the train ;)

such a heavy handed response. No one will do that

But they ARE more or less forced to take the train. There is very little parking at the stadium. The way it should be, rather than supplying a huge amount of parking and letting everyone drive in.

I drive down to Munster every week weeks to visit my folks, driving past Cockburn Central. While I know there are plenty of plans based around the hub, it's still slow going, and a definite step down compared to Subiaco.



Actually, Cockburn Central is amazingly indicative of this. I've talked to plenty of people who've stopped taking the train because it's next to impossible to find a space at the park and ride. They could boost the use of the rail system by thousands a day if only there was enough parking.

clarkson is a step down too. so will wellard. Flops

I drive down to Munster every week weeks to visit my folks, driving past Cockburn Central. While I know there are plenty of plans based around the hub, it's still slow going, and a definite step down compared to Subiaco.



Actually, Cockburn Central is amazingly indicative of this. I've talked to plenty of people who've stopped taking the train because it's next to impossible to find a space at the park and ride. They could boost the use of the rail system by thousands a day if only there was enough parking.

paging CKF to the thread.

parking is an issue and well.. why catch a train to say Claremont where you lose 20 mins due to the idiotic change over set up? there needs to be a station at Perth Arena for a smooth transfer from Joondalup to Fremantle passengers. Also to service that area of Perth

im here mate

been busy with work, uni and other things... and watching Perth climb up the table.
Do you also post under the alias Hornet_85? Or was that someone else?

parking is an issue and well.. why catch a train to say Claremont where you lose 20 mins due to the idiotic change over set up? there needs to be a station at Perth Arena for a smooth transfer from Joondalup to Fremantle passengers. Also to service that area of Perth

Run faster.... :)

lol he must walk really really slow. I find that they generally give enough time for transfers between the platforms.

I've had to transfer between the underground platforms and platforms seven and nine quite a bit. If you're doing anything more than a steady walk you should just make it...

Run faster.... :)

fuck i have and i miss it...

Do you also post under the alias Hornet_85? Or was that someone else?

nope im here mate

lol he must walk really really slow. I find that they generally give enough time for transfers between the platforms.

helps if the joondalup train actually arrives giving patrons enough time to transfer. The trains generally meet up with 3 minutes of time to get there... So what i should run, push people out of the way up the esculator and over the footbridge? rather daft that is.

The set up is a joke... but i guess having what is there now is better than what WASNT there...:ohno:

Weekends are good, cause the train arrives with plenty of time. Weekday timetables make it harder.. because it used to be setup so that the shuttle services timed well. Of course when they deleted the shuttle service, they didnt fix the timetable...

Weekends are good, cause the train arrives with plenty of time. Weekday timetables make it harder.. because it used to be setup so that the shuttle services timed well. Of course when they deleted the shuttle service, they didnt fix the timetable...

and forget about Peak because they dont match up either... :oops:

a northbridge station would be a major boon for the area.

and forget about Peak because they dont match up either... :oops:

a northbridge station would be a major boon for the area.

If you can't match up a train that runs every 5 minutes, then there is something wrong with you.

If you can't match up a train that runs every 5 minutes, then there is something wrong with you.

no the PTA are as reliable as the cruddy ALP...

no, you're just a whingy bitch ;)

The fremantle connection for Joondalup line is a complete joke!

what happens if you are in a wheel chair and you have to change trains? you will miss it by a country mile!

Take the next train. They run frequent enough.

what if you need to catch the train for work and you are disabled?

dont try and justify the governments stupidity or should i say the Labor Party's stupidity

It must be hard being aux's doppelgänger.

what if you need to catch the train for work and you are disabled?

dont try and justify the governments stupidity or should i say the Labor Party's stupidity

How is it stupidity? Whats wrong with this world when so many complain about having to walk a few hundred metres. It was teh best option for sending the rail thruogh the city!

i dont understand this debate anyway.

PT is for the old and the poor.

don't forget the huddled masses.

i dont understand this debate anyway.

PT is for the old and the poor.

The highest user numbers are during peak hour, it's more than just a welfare service.

i dont understand this debate anyway.

PT is for the old and the poor.

and the nerds who get a boner from being on it... :naughty:

and the nerds who get a boner from being on it... :naughty:

lol...i try and avoid it ..its poor quality, unsafe, inconvenient, unattractive (dirty/malodourous!), and promises so much but gives so little.
I live and work inner city and have forced myself to use it..all is adequate until after 6pm...dont work too much later or u will end up having to wait ages for bus/train (and hope its not raining) and by the time u get home well forget about wanting to go out again and get a dvd or take away...lol
If they addressed a few issues it could be so much better!

Has anyone heard anything new on a decent multi use stadium?

lol...i try and avoid it ..its poor quality, unsafe, inconvenient, unattractive (dirty/malodourous!), and promises so much but gives so little.
I live and work inner city and have forced myself to use it..all is adequate until after 6pm...dont work too much later or u will end up having to wait ages for bus/train (and hope its not raining) and by the time u get home well forget about wanting to go out again and get a dvd or take away...lol
If they addressed a few issues it could be so much better!

It depends where you are going. I think main destinations its fine. Can't complain about a 15min service, thats pretty good for sprawl.

like i mentioned ages ago re: 60,000 seat stadium was fine and not required to be any larger, because if there was any demand, a new team would enter the AFL.

So 60,000 will be fine.

________________________
AFL looks to further markets
Joel Cresswell

October 21st, 2009


AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has tipped Tasmania, a third Perth side and North Queensland to figure in the league's future expansion plans.

Demetriou also said Geelong's blockbuster status meant it must play big drawing Melbourne clubs at Skilled Stadium if it wanted its quota of eight home games per year.

With the AFL's 17th and 18th clubs, Gold Coast and West Sydney, set to join the league in 2010 and 2011, Demetriou refused to rule out the possibility of further expansion.

Speaking at a La Trobe University alumni lecture last night, Demetriou said Tasmania had a mortgage on any 19th club, with North Queensalnd and Western Australia other attractive prospects.

"If we were to go to 20 teams you'd have to think it wouldn't be a team in Melbourne because we've got 10 here, but a place like Western Australia, which is a booming state, or even Northern Queensland are two places that have some attraction."

The league's chief executive will also look to schedule another pre-season fixture in South Africa and earmarked India as a dream destination to attract multi-national sponsorship.

"When we played (a pre-season match) in Dubai, Emirates was sponsoring Collingwood and Toyota was sponsoring Adelaide Crows; Toyota sell 70,000 cars in the UAE annually," he said.

"Our great hope is to play a game in India; they've already got football grounds there because they're cricket grounds."

And it looks as if the Cats will have to get used to accommodating a big Melbourne club at Skilled Stadium in the short term, if it wants eight home games.

But the Cats yesterday rejected the AFL's bid to play one of Hawthorn, Collingwood, Essendon or Carlton in Geelong, with president Frank Costa saying the stadium couldn't do justice to the bumper crowd.

"At the moment (the Cats) are a standout team and the Melbourne teams are dominating," Demetriou said.

"Geelong playing Hawthorn, Collingwood, Essendon, St Kilda or Carlton, you'd think that those games are going to have to be played in Melbourne to fit capacity.

"But it's a balancing act and some of those (blockbuster) games will have to be played at Geelong if they want to play seven or eight games there."

3rd Perth side? :lol:

^^ Yeah - it's one that Freo fans can switch to that has a better chance at being successful :poke:

^^ Ouch.

Wanaroo put their hand I see... Pfft!! Mandurah/Rockingham or Bunbury perhaps?? Or Wannaroo who knows...

longer footy season... hmm.

i would hate an east/west division...

hiss.

the 3rd team will be called black swans

it'd be peel thunder...

I'd have my money on Swan Districts. They promote the game more than any other club, get excellent turnouts at thir home ground and have a supporter base that does not fit in with the chardy sipping Eagles or the south coastal Dockers. Their marketing efforts are #1 in WA and I think they will be in best position to take advantage if and when ther opportunity comes.

PS - Not a Swans supporter. :)

SUBIACO OVAL TOO SMALL FOR WORLD CUP

Football Federation Australia is warning that Perth will have no chance of hosting a World Cup semi-final unless the State Government urgently commits to significantly increasing Subiaco Oval's capacity. The sports national body is demanding the Government confirm its plans for Subiaco Oval in the next few weeks to help finalise a "bidding agreement" by the 11 December deadline set by FIFA. The FFA's demands increase pressure on Premier Colin Barnett to either resurrect the Carpenter government's plan for a new $1.1 billion multi-purpose stadium or embrace the WA Football Commission's Subiaco Oval "rebuild" option which would cost about $300 million.

Australia is among ten nations bidding for the rights to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup but the $45 million bid needs considerable co-operation from the States to comply with FIFA's venue requirements. It is understood FFA chief executive Ben Buckley is seeking urgent talks with Barnett to settle issues surrounding the Perth venue which, because of the time zone, may be an attractive place to host high-profile games. Under FIFA's rules World Cup group games must be played in stadiums with a capacity of at least 44,000, and to be in the reckoning for a semi-final game the venue must hold 60,000 fans. Subiaco Oval's maximum capacity is 43,000 with its yet-to-be-finalised redevelopment plans likely to take it to 50,000.

I hope Barney is holding out so then people start throwing money at it and then we get the multi purpose stadium..hehe..the perfect crime

I hope Barney is holding out so then people start throwing money at it and then we get the multi purpose stadium..hehe..the perfect crime

That is a huge gamble and to be honest, i don't think he cares that much. He will be long gone before any World Cup comes to Australia; even if it is as early as 2018.

^^ he will be a 2 term premier minimum. So that would mean he will be around till at least 2016. So he better start to care pretty quickly!! WA should have the money to build the original 1.1billion plan. Well according to John Langoulant they do/will

I'd have my money on Swan Districts. They promote the game more than any other club, get excellent turnouts at thir home ground and have a supporter base that does not fit in with the chardy sipping Eagles or the south coastal Dockers. Their marketing efforts are #1 in WA and I think they will be in best position to take advantage if and when ther opportunity comes.

PS - Not a Swans supporter. :)

Going for the Bogan market?

Going for the Bogan market?

Absolutely! They are fanantical out there as it is so far to go to do anything else. They love the footy and will get behind a club.

Ideally, they will want a ground out that way but... Im not going to go there haha.

Look, I don't think this is a realistic option anyway in the next 10 years so who knows.

not until Perth's population "Balloons" to 2.5 milly!!

Absolutely! They are fanantical out there as it is so far to go to do anything else. They love the footy and will get behind a club.

Ideally, they will want a ground out that way but... Im not going to go there haha.

Look, I don't think this is a realistic option anyway in the next 10 years so who knows.

I don't think they have the population in that region to support a new team. Even Fremantle, despite being firmly associated with a particular region, have to go for a broader market.

SUBIACO OVAL TOO SMALL FOR WORLD CUP

Football Federation Australia is warning that Perth will have no chance of hosting a World Cup semi-final unless the State Government urgently commits to significantly increasing Subiaco Oval's capacity. The sports national body is demanding the Government confirm its plans for Subiaco Oval in the next few weeks to help finalise a "bidding agreement" by the 11 December deadline set by FIFA. The FFA's demands increase pressure on Premier Colin Barnett to either resurrect the Carpenter government's plan for a new $1.1 billion multi-purpose stadium or embrace the WA Football Commission's Subiaco Oval "rebuild" option which would cost about $300 million.

Australia is among ten nations bidding for the rights to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup but the $45 million bid needs considerable co-operation from the States to comply with FIFA's venue requirements. It is understood FFA chief executive Ben Buckley is seeking urgent talks with Barnett to settle issues surrounding the Perth venue which, because of the time zone, may be an attractive place to host high-profile games. Under FIFA's rules World Cup group games must be played in stadiums with a capacity of at least 44,000, and to be in the reckoning for a semi-final game the venue must hold 60,000 fans. Subiaco Oval's maximum capacity is 43,000 with its yet-to-be-finalised redevelopment plans likely to take it to 50,000.


Thanks for posting this.
I read this article in the papers and couldn't believe my eyes. Planning on expanding capacity to 50, 000!!! wow why even bother. It's because of the short sighted planning in the 1990s that we ended up with the 43000 seat dump we have now. I believe they used the same argument then that Perth's population wasnt big enough to justify a bigger capacity..i guess theyre using the same 'experts' to decide this stadium..they need to go for around 80 000 with the capability to expand.
Perth's population is growing at a rapid rate. The Eagles have a waiting list, derbies are sellouts and if AFL wants to grow then they need to have a stadium that can cater for the increase in population and any increase interest in that sport. AFL aside we also need a world class stadium that can host other sports and events.
By the time they eventually plan and build this thing they will already need more seats.
I'd like to see an independent panel choose a decent stadium and not one stacked with people who have a conflict on interest on the matter (such as being the head of wafc/ health dept and such).
I hope they DUMP Subi Oval and build a new state of the art stadium in East Perth.

East Perth=smaller playing surface. For that reason alone it should be ruled out.

Why not build a semi-permanent stadium (like London has for the Olympics) with a capacity around 50,000 and then reduce the capacity to 30-40,000 to suit a new AFL team by the early 2020's?

By the way mossimoh, who on the stadium taskforce panel had a major conflict of interest?

Mossimoh (I think) was referring to Fong who was head of Health and the WAFC at the time - but I don't know if he was on the Stadia Taskforce. It comes down to Barnett ignoring the findings without having read them when he ruled them out because Langalount was the chair of it.

AFL aside we also need a world class stadium that can host other sports and events.

I hope they DUMP Subi Oval and build a new state of the art stadium in East Perth.

Agreed. Barnett should just bite the bullet and build a 70,000(minimum) multi-purpose stadium to cator for ALL codes of football. Especially if we're bidding for a world cup - using Subiaco Oval would be a disgrace.

Mossimoh (I think) was referring to Fong who was head of Health and the WAFC at the time - but I don't know if he was on the Stadia Taskforce. It comes down to Barnett ignoring the findings without having read them when he ruled them out because Langalount was the chair of it.

Neil Fong wasn't on the Taskforce was he? Surely Carpenter was smarter than that.

I agree BartBart. It is one thing to put the stadium on hold due to financial reasons, but to scrap it all together without even reading the report, then propose funding for ME Stadium is ridiculous.

I get quite angry knowing that we could quite easily achieve a 60-70,000 multi-purpose stadium by 2022 and have the best venue for any World Cup, Cricket, AFL, Football and Rugby that is still within the limits of our State budget.

Posted before - but this article says it all.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=43320468&postcount=304

Why not build a semi-permanent stadium (like London has for the Olympics) with a capacity around 50,000 and then reduce the capacity to 30-40,000 to suit a new AFL team by the early 2020's?

By the way mossimoh, who on the stadium taskforce panel had a major conflict of interest?

A third team could be fixtured around the one stadium. My prefered site has got to be Burswood. Standout location in terms of access.

Personally i hope we go after the 2022 World cup. Christ all they need do is put 100 million towards the funding over 12 years and they have more than enough money, include funding from the federal government and bingo. Perth has that world class stadium.

I know the discussion re: stadium location has been done to death, but ...
the biggest disadvantage with Burswood are the expense of extra earthworking needed because of the soil.

Anyway, the Burswood, Kitchener and East Perth options are out as a matter of principal for Barnett because they were looked at in Langalount's report.

And Cockburn too..

Cockburn was (rightly) ruled out as an option by the Langalount report - so it might be the backup option for Barnett to the Subiaco Oval bandaid option.

Cockburn was (rightly) ruled out as an option by the Langalount report - so it might be the backup option for Barnett to the Subiaco Oval bandaid option.

If a third team is introduced it is most likely (IMO) to be from either Peel or the south-west (depending on when it is introduced and how much population growth we get in the southern suburbs).

Having a second AFL stadium at Cockburn, with a capacity 30-40,000 for a team taking in all the growth expected in Rockingham, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Gosnells and Armadale and Peel could be ideal. Especially with enhanced Mandurah line train services and possibly a railway beyond Mandurah

East Perth=smaller playing surface. For that reason alone it should be ruled out.

There is more space than currently exists on the Subiaco site. The East Perth site has the ability to encroach on its margins - being able to build over the adjacent road and rail lines.

There is more space than currently exists on the Subiaco site. The East Perth site has the ability to encroach on its margins - being able to build over the adjacent road and rail lines.

The East Perth site is smaller than the proposed Kitchener Park site when you include the land repossessed to the north.

There is more space than currently exists on the Subiaco site. The East Perth site has the ability to encroach on its margins - being able to build over the adjacent road and rail lines.

As Aaronaugi1 mentioned, supposedly if the East Perth option was used the traditionally bigger Aussie Rules ground we have over here would be lost and it would be more like a Docklands sized ground.

As Aaronaugi1 mentioned, supposedly if the East Perth option was used the traditionally bigger Aussie Rules ground we have over here would be lost and it would be more like a Docklands sized ground.

They can build it in Kings Park for all I care - as long as they build it.

Some building work going on at MES - building a grandstand (scaffolding) in the corner between the Family and Eastern stands. Most likely temporary seating for Pearl Jam and Fleetwood Mac concerts as I don't think they are expecting to sell out for Glory v Melbourne on Sunday!!

(or is it temporary seating so they can close part of the Eastern stand to build the second tier as in the TOV plans.....)

Some building work going on at MES - building a grandstand (scaffolding) in the corner between the Family and Eastern stands. Most likely temporary seating for Pearl Jam and Fleetwood Mac concerts as I don't think they are expecting to sell out for Glory v Melbourne on Sunday!!

(or is it temporary seating so they can close part of the Eastern stand to build the second tier as in the TOV plans.....)

Some preliminary work is supposed to happen in preparation for the Force's move.

Some preliminary work is supposed to happen in preparation for the Force's move.

*waits for someone to take that post seriously and criticize you for wanting to touch Kings Park*.

Just read this on the ME Bank Stadium website under Redevelopment....

Members Equity Stadium has plans for a further 3 stages of development, accommodating up to 35,000 patrons. State of the art design and world-class corporate facilities will place the venue as Australia's benchmark for sporting and stadium events.

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

have they seen the MCG/Telstra Dome/ANZ Stadium/SFS/Suncorp/Melbourne Rectangular Stadium/Skilled Park et al?

It should struggle to be the benchmark for Western Australia.... but that isn't so hard!

*waits for someone to take that post seriously and criticize you for wanting to touch Kings Park*.

Even if I was serious, not all of Kings Park is virgin bushland...

Did anyone read Commetti's anti soccer rant? What a hack!

Did anyone read Commetti's anti soccer rant? What a hack!

I thought he was taking the piss...

^^ are u able to post it?

surely he wouldnt seriously be hating on soccer...even I don't mind watching it and i am an AFL lover

^^
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/opinion/post/-/blog/denniscometti/post/210/comment/1

The world game is not the Australian game
By Dennis Cometti | View Archive October 26th, 2009, 8:13 am

I'd love to say I'm on assignment - that sounds so cool - but the truth is I'm on holidays.
When I left Australia, I got my burly son to do the house sitting and thought the AFL should be able to take care of itself. After all, it was only going to be a month.

Yet here it is, a few days in, and the AFL is being pestered by bloody soccer!

Maybe "The World Game" is just testing the water, maybe it's suddenly found its long lost humour gene, but any suggestion the AFL competition should take a two month sabbatical during some future soccer World Cup in Australia is simply laughable.

Having said that, I'm sitting here at my keyboard wearing an Atletico Madrid away top.

It's a tradition of mine, whenever I'm in a European city I buy a soccer top, if nothing else they're great to sleep in!

But I'm also doing my bit. I'm helping the minnows. No Real, Man U or Milan in my collection, we're talking Atletico, Fulham and Atalanta. In other words no team with a chance in hell of winning anything in my lifetime ... and therein lies the tragedy of soccer today. A collection of lop-sided competitions overrun with overpaid divas.

Still, that's a story for another day.

When I was growing up, Aussie rules was my Saturday, soccer was my Sunday. I enjoyed them both but like so many Australians I made my choice.

Americans did, and continue to do the same thing.

Why do countries with home-grown games fail to embrace soccer? Maybe it's because soccer has a way of making itself less than embraceable.

In Australia I'm tired of having the game broadcast to me by zealots. To hear them tell it there's never been a match that sucked.

Furthermore I don't like being told what I shall call a game. You WILL call it football. Well, no. I get confused enough already these days. Let's just stick with soccer.

Then of course there's that term "The World Game", which is designed to let you know you're a moron because you apparently "don't get it" when the rest of he world does. It's a full-brother to "The Beautiful Game" but unfortunately neither expression comes close to being THE Australian game.

It worries me then that, although I might be a moron, I'm dealing with people who don't get which of those two descriptions sits best with Australians.

As for stopping the AFL ... stop right there.

Delete

Quick and the dead acc521.

Last week's Western Suburbs Weekly p4


Centre nearly finished
by Natasha Thorson

THE finishing touches to the State Government's State Basketball Centre at AK Reserve in Mt Claremont are being made this week but the facility is not expected to open to the public until the end of January.

The combined cost of the centre and WA Athletics Stadium is $73.4 million.

The venue, which includes two showcourts with seating for 2000 spectators and six training courts with space for 600, will be home to the Perth Wildcats, Perth Lynx, Perry Lakes Hawks and Basketball WA.

A fundraiser game, featuring a group of former Wildcats players is planned to mark the opening, scheduled for January 24.

Department of Sport and Recreation senior facilities consultant Rob Thomson said the interior of the building would be completed this week.

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2303/ak1e.jpg
Basketballer Brooke Hiddlestone helps to put finishing touches to the new basketball centre at AK Reserve in Mt Claremont.
Picture: Will Russell www.communitypix.com.au d321945

Basketball WA business development manager Erica Larke said the move to the new stadium was a symbol of a fresh start and a new beginning for the sport in WA.

State Basketball League players Bryce Burch, forward for the Cockburn Cougars, and Brooke Hiddlestone, forward for the Perth Redbacks, visited the centre this week and were impressed with its size and scale.

Ms Larke said Perry Lakes stadium would continue to operate until late February when it would be closed.

It is not yet known if the new centre will adopt the name of an ex-basketball player or someone who has supported the sport in WA, or if naming rights will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

Mr Thomson said the centre had many environmentally sustainable design features such as skylights, long-lasting fluorescent lighting in the stadium, solar hot water and rainwater collection for reuse.

The training courts are marked for netball, badminton, senior and junior basketball and volleyball.

Once building is complete, the carpark and filter roads will be established.

VenuesWest will then take over the running of the venue.



New bike path plan for stadium
CYCLISTS can soon look forward to a new bike path linking Cambridge with Nedlands.
The City of Nedlands has received a Federal Government grant of $101,012 to help build a new three-metre wide bike path.

Running from Challenge Stadium to the Underwood Avenue and Brockway Road intersection, the off-road path hopes to encourage more people to cycle to and from the sports centre. The City will match the Federal Government's jobs Fund Projects grant dollar-for-dollar to help complete the fully lit 1.4km pathway.

Set for construction in stages, the first 291 m section will start at the stadium entrance. A second section of path under Nedlands jurisdiction will extend 364m west from the Underwood Avenue intersection. |

The Town of Cambridge will bear the-cost of completing the 750m mid section set; to link the two.

Construction is expected to start in February and finish in July.


p7


Public consultation on Rugby WA site
by natasha thorson

A PUBLIC consultation evening regarding the site of the proposed replacement rugby facility will take place tomorrow, October 28, at Challenge Stadium from 6pm.

The facility, which will house the administration and training facilities of Rugby WA, was originally planned for the southern side of McGillivray Oval, on the former Brockway landfill site.

However, because the area was found to have geotechnical and environmental problems, the facility is now planned to be constructed in AK Reserve on land fronting Underwood Avenue, between the basketball and athletics stadiums.

According to the Draft Amended AK Reserve Redevelopment Plan, community level playing fields could be developed on the landfill site in the future.

The amendment was released for public comment on September 25, and people have until November 24 to have their say.

Department of Sport and Recreation senior facilities consultant Rob Thomson said only two or three submissions had been received and most were unrelated to the rugby facility.

"The facility was planned to be built south of UWA Sports Park on the Brockway landfill site, but settlement issues represent substantial engineering challenges," he said. "It's far cheaper to relocate to the new site located immediately west to the new State Basketball Stadium."

He said he did not expect any opposition to the proposal.

Lol. A 1.4km cyclepath runs through 3 jurisdictions.

Well - there is always going to be projects that cross borders - and add to the red tape required in approvals. But isn't it just the Town of Cambridge & City of Nedlands? Granted the article isn't that clear, but I think the sections will be:

1st: Perry Lakes Drv to Meagher Drv (Cambridge)

Meagher Drv to Brockway/Brookdale (Cambridge)
Challenge Stadium to Perry Lakes Drv (part Cambridge, part Nedlands)

Ah. Read article wrong. Nvm

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/world-cup-semifinal-is-being-shopped-around-barnett-20091111-i91w.html

World Cup semi-final is being shopped around: Barnett
TIM CLARKE
November 11, 2009 - 4:37PM

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.

It will be interesting to see if FFA has any comment on this.

We dont deserve one.

we'll have a new stadium by 2022...

haha.

we'll have a new stadium by 2022...

haha.

but we wont have a big enough airport, any hotel rooms, or decent airport transfers...

but we wont have a big enough airport, any hotel rooms, or decent airport transfers...

nor the world cup.

You can't rule out the possibility of an Australian hosted 2018 WC but with people like Barnett running around shooting their mouths off, the prospect of not hosting anything is increasingly looking likely.

Perth has already missed out on hosting matches in the 2015 Asian Cup due to a lack of an appropriate venue, surely it's time to be a team player and actually commit to something.

I don't know about missing out on the Asian Cup. MES after the next development to 25,000 would have been suitable I would think. It only requires 4 stadiums and it's hard to compete when we're so far from the eastern states. Feel free to enlighten me if I'm incorrect :)

I don't know about missing out on the Asian Cup. MES after the next development to 25,000 would have been suitable I would think. It only requires 4 stadiums and it's hard to compete when we're so far from the eastern states. Feel free to enlighten me if I'm incorrect :)

Perth and Adelaide are not included in the bid.

The stadiums in the bid are Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Canberra Stadium, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Olympic Stadium, Suncorp Stadium and Skilled Park (Gold Coast).

Yeah, but what I mean is that MES is a suitable venue, the FFA just decided not to include it.

Because the government wouldn't play ball.

I'm confused. Are you saying that MES wasn't a suitable venue and the government wouldn't guarantee it would be a suitable venue in time for the Asian Cup?

It's an insignificant detail anyway, I'm not really fussed that we missed out on the Asian Cup considering there are so few host cities.

I just wish the FFA would give us a Socceroos match, or even guarantee one if we build a world cup capable venue.

I'm confused. Are you saying that MES wasn't a suitable venue and the government wouldn't guarantee it would be a suitable venue in time for the Asian Cup?

It's an insignificant detail anyway, I'm not really fussed that we missed out on the Asian Cup considering there are so few host cities.

I just wish the FFA would give us a Socceroos match, or even guarantee one if we build a world cup capable venue.

We didn't get World Cup or Asian Cup qualifiers because the Subiaco Oval surface is not flat. We're unlikely to get a friendly any time soon because any team that travels to Australia are either 1) unlikely to come to Perth or 2) unlikely to attract a decent crowd here.

HAHAHAHAHA....LOL!!!!

200 carts before one sickly horse

http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/world-cup-marketing-police-to-place-subiaco-in-lockdown-20091124-jh5a.html?autostart=1

did I say LOL!!

We have to get the WC first. :lol:

Yeah Barrnet is a wolly! Why should the Fed Gov include us in the list! This is a world event- which requires a city that can actually provide wprld class amenitites etc etc etc- Perth does do not do that!

^^ Maybe because the govt think Perth is too far west and not worth adding since it's got a Liberal/National Govt...

If it were dealing with Labor perhaps they'd be more incline :lol:

I don't know much about politics and THIS probably has nothing to do with the situation but I would think that it would be up to Barnett to show some leader ship if he wanted to put up sports funding.
I guess he will do better for education and health though.

A World Cup in Australia is not attractive to FIFA unless it includes the whole country, i.e. every state.

Moreover, to make up the required number of venues, any Australian bid almost certainly needs a stadium in Perth.

Despite what the article says, i seriously doubt we'll be seeing World Cup matches at Subiaco. Not in its existing state, and not in the state proposed by the WAFC.

The sort of article that shows why it is hard to do anything here:

http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/build-it-and-they-will-bleed-us-dry-20091124-jfiy.html

The sort of article that shows why it is hard to do anything here:

http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/build-it-and-they-will-bleed-us-dry-20091124-jfiy.html

^^
What a compelte tossa, its a sporting stadium!!
its meant to be an international stadium but its a shit hole in reality.

if you was grassed area to sit down on to watch a cricket match go to a suburban ground!
god!
what a tool!
he also thinks that the new stadium in melbourne is a white elephant, oh lord :nuts:

And the biggest thing is that he doesn't see that money is saved if (and that is a big if) the various sports come together and move to a multi-use stadium. Less maintenance, etc. But the various sports were given an option to go their separate ways and get portions of the funding that would go to 1 new stadium and be able to protect their own patch. Oh well.

How is the new rectangular stadium in Melbourne a white elephant? It will be home to the Melbourne Victory and the Melbourne Storm, meaning it will be used for most of the year.

...and of course the WACA is the best cricket stadium in the world. Lords and the MCG are shit compared to it.

Worst. Article. Ever.

...and of course the WACA is the best cricket stadium in the world. Lords and the MCG are shit compared to it.



hmmmmm. funny joke.

How is the new rectangular stadium in Melbourne a white elephant? It will be home to the Melbourne Victory and the Melbourne Storm, meaning it will be used for most of the year.

...and of course the WACA is the best cricket stadium in the world. Lords and the MCG are shit compared to it.

Worst. Article. Ever.

Which is why I only provided the link - was a waste a space if I copy/pasted it in here.

How is the new rectangular stadium in Melbourne a white elephant? It will be home to the Melbourne Victory and the Melbourne Storm, meaning it will be used for most of the year.

...and of course the WACA is the best cricket stadium in the world. Lords and the MCG are shit compared to it.

Worst. Article. Ever.

The WACA may have shit, ok extremely shitty facilities but the ground istelf is world famous.

I honestly would not like to see cricket move from there but the WACA get completely revamped to a capacity of 40,000 or so. Its just no cricket if its not at the WACA. A WAFL club should play there during winter and it should be used as the outdoor concert venue.

Subi built up to "world class" and multiprupose and host AFL and Soccer, Rugby.

2 "world class" stadiums getting used fairly well. Everyones happy.

The WACA may have shit, ok extremely shitty facilities but the ground istelf is world famous.

I honestly would not like to see cricket move from there but the WACA get completely revamped to a capacity of 40,000 or so. Its just no cricket if its not at the WACA. A WAFL club should play there during winter and it should be used as the outdoor concert venue.

Subi built up to "world class" and multiprupose and host AFL and Soccer, Rugby.

2 "world class" stadiums getting used fairly well. Everyones happy.

The WACA is trumped in terms of location, facilities and history by both the Adelaide Oval and MCG.

The WACA is trumped in terms of location, facilities and history by both the Adelaide Oval and MCG.

The SCG as well.

But the WACA is well known world wide, the actual pitch at least. Its produced some fantastic matches.

Although that area where it is could be a great location.

The SCG as well.

But the WACA is well known world wide, the actual pitch at least. Its produced some fantastic matches.

Although that area where it is could be a great location.

All Australian cricket grounds are. When you think about it there are probably only a handful of regularly used cricket grounds in the world that are actually known. Outside of Australia and the UK there are barely any.

In my opinion the WACA is in the 2nd tier of importance with the top tier being grounds like Wanders, Lords, the Oval, MCG and to an extent the Adelaide Oval, SCG, Newlands and Salt Lake Stadium

All Australian cricket grounds are. When you think about it there are probably only a handful of regularly used cricket grounds in the world that are actually known. Outside of Australia and the UK there are barely any.

In my opinion the WACA is in the 2nd tier of importance with the top tier being grounds like Wanders, Lords, the Oval, MCG and to an extent the Adelaide Oval, SCG, Newlands and Salt Lake Stadium

I dunno, I always think of the MCG and Lords as the pinnacle of cricket grounds. Well and truly famous in their own right. The rest, including WACA probably on even terms.

I dunno, I always think of the MCG and Lords as the pinnacle of cricket grounds. Well and truly famous in their own right. The rest, including WACA probably on even terms.

Really? The MCC (both Melbourne and Malybone) have such a bigger history than the WACA. If it wasn't for Lillie, Marsh and co I don't think we'd be having this conversation.

Thats what I'm saying. Theres MCG and Lords then the rest including the WACA are the next level.

Not really, I'm more talking abnout the ground itself, the moments that happened there and its reputation has a very hard and fast pitch.

Then again I'm attached to the PEC so....

Thats what I'm saying. Theres MCG and Lords then the rest including the WACA are the next level.

Not really, I'm more talking abnout the ground itself, the moments that happened there and its reputation has a very hard and fast pitch.

Then again I'm attached to the PEC so....

Apologies, I miss read your post.

I think the same applies to PEC. A huge volume of memories and social sentiment but an inappropriate built form.

Yeah I agree with you Ryan. A lot of people I spoke to here no nothing about Perth except for the fact that the WACA is here. I was just saying the article writer is having a laugh if he thinks that it is the most famous cricket ground in the world. Like you say, MCG and Lords are top, WACA is on that second level with a few others.

The MCG pitch lost its soul years ago when they started using drop in pitches. Where as the WACA still has its famous pitch block.

I'm surprised that some people from India treat the WACA with such reverance.

Apologies, I miss read your post.

I think the same applies to PEC. A huge volume of memories and social sentiment but an inappropriate built form.

Yep, getting all emotional over a building :lol:

Thing is the WACA surrounds can easily be fixed up and that sentiment can be retained.

Yeah I agree with you Ryan. A lot of people I spoke to here no nothing about Perth except for the fact that the WACA is here. I was just saying the article writer is having a laugh if he thinks that it is the most famous cricket ground in the world. Like you say, MCG and Lords are top, WACA is on that second level with a few others.


It really, honestly surprised me how many knew about the WACA ground. I always looked forward to WACA matches because I know they'll be good and so do other people.

The MCG pitch lost its soul years ago when they started using drop in pitches. Where as the WACA still has its famous pitch block.

Exactly, which is what I don't want to happen to the WACA

They are trying to use clay (from Margaret River?) that they used previously before their changes to the soil makeup made it lose its bounce and pace. They will deny it, but the change to lower and slower became noticeable around the time when the Aus Test team were beating teams inside 3 days and the Indian team was coming out. Could be a coincidence but (as one of the resident cynics) I would be surprised.

Well its kinda unfair to compare the WACA to the MCG.

The G these days is more of a sporting oval as its used pretty much every week of the year. The WACA isnt so it doesnt have the grand stands, the MCC waiting lists, history, etc as such.

You can feel the atmosphere of the G when you walk around it even when its completely empty inside. The WACA doesnt achieve this nor should we expect it.

Well its kinda unfair to compare the WACA to the MCG.

The G these days is more of a sporting oval as its used pretty much every week of the year. The WACA isnt so it doesnt have the grand stands, the MCC waiting lists, history, etc as such.

You can feel the atmosphere of the G when you walk around it even when its completely empty inside. The WACA doesnt achieve this nor should we expect it.

Subi on the other hand.....

All Australian cricket grounds are. When you think about it there are probably only a handful of regularly used cricket grounds in the world that are actually known. Outside of Australia and the UK there are barely any.

In my opinion the WACA is in the 2nd tier of importance with the top tier being grounds like Wanders, Lords, the Oval, MCG and to an extent the Adelaide Oval, SCG, Newlands and Salt Lake Stadium

How about Eden Gardens? I didn't think they played cricket at Salt Lake Stadium.

Scaffolding (or should I say a new tier made out of scaffolding) going up at ME Bank Stadium along the east stand (opposite main stand). May just be temporary seating for the Fleetwood Mac concerts... but I would expect it will stay as an increase in capacity for the Western Force as they are no-where near getting round to build a new stand with executive boxes etc in time for the new super 14 season.

Also looks like they may be digging up the grass bank where I usually stand to watch Glory to put seating in there.

How about Eden Gardens? I didn't think they played cricket at Salt Lake Stadium.

I thought they were the same thing. Turns out they're not. Similar look and capacity.

Scaffolding (or should I say a new tier made out of scaffolding) going up at ME Bank Stadium along the east stand (opposite main stand). May just be temporary seating for the Fleetwood Mac concerts... but I would expect it will stay as an increase in capacity for the Western Force as they are no-where near getting round to build a new stand with executive boxes etc in time for the new super 14 season.

Also looks like they may be digging up the grass bank where I usually stand to watch Glory to put seating in there.

That's the new temp stands to cater for the Force. The brochure that went out to Force members this week shows a seating plan with three rows of blocks on the Eastern Stand -E, EE and EEE

although not WA, SA Govt has announced details of a revamped Adelaide oval costing $450 million and increasing capacity to 50,000.
See link below which includes a fly through video.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-delighted-by-free-second-adelaide-stadium/story-e6frf9jf-1225806202289

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26430075-5006301,00.html#vote-now-form
It does piss my off that Adelaide has worked out their stadium issue while we still do nothing. Their debate was boosted by our Stadium Taskforce report which they read and we payed for. The South Aussie's had no intention of being left behind. Their debate was tiresome and riggerous, at times seemed as bad and long winded as our own, but they have forced a result as our government still won't talk about it even though we haven't had to navigate the bad blood between the SACA and SANFL and the fact that their state is far less wealthy then our own. They started behind us and have finished well infront with a stadium that will be ready in 3 years while ours won't be finished within another 6.

I just don't get it.

The Adelaide issue isn't over yet. There is no-way that new stadium is FIFA compliant (like Subi) - distance from the pitch is too great, and there is a big grass bank at one end! They may be planning to just build a temporary stand on the pitch for the world cup.... leaving no football (soccer) legacy and so likely getting the thumbs down from FIFA/FFA which may lead to a re-think..... or just no World Cup!

This was on the news tonight. the afl is backing this and the sa govt have asked for $110m from the federal govt to ensure the stadium will comply with fifa/ wrold cup requirements.

Fuck me, it just gets more embarassing for Perth.

Is there any hope for us?

As my man the Premier would say, "Even Adelaide is getting a proper stadium! Even Adelaide!"

Fuck me, it just gets more embarassing for Perth.

Is there any hope for us?

The govt doesn't seem to give a stuff about stadiums :(

The Adelaide issue isn't over yet. There is no-way that new stadium is FIFA compliant (like Subi) - distance from the pitch is too great, and there is a big grass bank at one end! They may be planning to just build a temporary stand on the pitch for the world cup.... leaving no football (soccer) legacy and so likely getting the thumbs down from FIFA/FFA which may lead to a re-think..... or just no World Cup!

You do realise that a lot of the Japanese & Germen stadiums had athletic tracks going through them?

You do realise that a lot of the Japanese & Germen stadiums had athletic tracks going through them?

Yes - and I have been to a lot of the German ones. However, the distance from the pitch is still significantly less that on a Cricket/AFL Oval - especially this design at adelaide (apparently 135m wide!). FIFA won't like this (and the AFL/SACA are banking on money from the World Cup bid to get this to happen) as they could choose to go to the US - with many large, rectangular stadiums, and plenty of legacy for football, or come here, where we are basing a lot of the bid on Ovals (Adelaide, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth at least) where the crowd will be a long way from the pitch, and there is minimal legacy for football (Adelaide United won't be able to play at this stadium as the football and cricket seasons run simultaneously).

Yes - and I have been to a lot of the German ones. However, the distance from the pitch is still significantly less that on a Cricket/AFL Oval - especially this design at adelaide (apparently 135m wide!). FIFA won't like this (and the AFL/SACA are banking on money from the World Cup bid to get this to happen) as they could choose to go to the US - with many large, rectangular stadiums, and plenty of legacy for football, or come here, where we are basing a lot of the bid on Ovals (Adelaide, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth at least) where the crowd will be a long way from the pitch, and there is minimal legacy for football (Adelaide United won't be able to play at this stadium as the football and cricket seasons run simultaneously).

If quality of stadiums was the real issue the WC would never have been awarded to Brazil, South Africa or Japan at that. They won their bids based on the football culture or potential for growth. Even when the US hosted it was on the premise of expanding the sport, not because they had the worlds biggest and best stadiums.

All FIFA is interested in is every city having a stadium that is at least acceptable to their spectator viewing, advertising and broadcast requirements....even if all the stadiums were provide are ovals. We have 3 major, high quality venues in Suncorp, ANZ and the MCG. They will be the venues everyone sees in the later rounds. The rest really don't matter.

If quality of stadiums was the real issue the WC would never have been awarded to Brazil, South Africa or Japan at that. They won their bids based on the football culture or potential for growth. Even when the US hosted it was on the premise of expanding the sport, not because they had the worlds biggest and best stadiums.

All FIFA is interested in is every city having a stadium that is at least acceptable to their spectator viewing, advertising and broadcast requirements....even if all the stadiums were provide are ovals. We have 3 major, high quality venues in Suncorp, ANZ and the MCG. They will be the venues everyone sees in the later rounds. The rest really don't matter.

Japan/Korea had some of the most amazing stadiums ever seen!

FIFA stepped in to re-design a number of stadiums in South Africa, and particularly in Brazil, where most of the original plans were torn up! Also, you have to remember that FIFA had committed to take the world cup to these two continents, and these two were the only real contenders in each one. This time around the competition is much tougher and so I feel stadiums will be more of an issue - especially as Australia are competing against England, Spain/Portugal, Russia (can you imagine how much they would spend), USA et al.

Providing cricket/AFL a new stadium with poor sight lines for Football is not really leaving a legacy for Football. Neither is a stadium with a grass bank (which could not be used during the world cup which requires all-seater stadia).

Japan/Korea had some of the most amazing stadiums ever seen!

FIFA stepped in to re-design a number of stadiums in South Africa, and particularly in Brazil, where most of the original plans were torn up! Also, you have to remember that FIFA had committed to take the world cup to these two continents, and these two were the only real contenders in each one. This time around the competition is much tougher and so I feel stadiums will be more of an issue - especially as Australia are competing against England, Spain/Portugal, Russia (can you imagine how much they would spend), USA et al.

Providing cricket/AFL a new stadium with poor sight lines for Football is not really leaving a legacy for Football. Neither is a stadium with a grass bank (which could not be used during the world cup which requires all-seater stadia).

That is true about Japan/Korea but it wasn't awarded to the country on that basis.

Moreover, Australia's World Cup legacy won't be large 40,000-50,000 seat World Cup stadiums that will be filled once a season, even if the A-League expands significantly. It will be with 20-30,000 seat high quality rectangular venues that aren't capable of hosting WC games.

Stadiums won't be how we win or loose this bid/s.

Im sorry to affend but- something always has to give- its the way it is! As much as our stadiums need revamping etc and yes they do! The fact is at least we have some kinda facilities!

My thoughts are the NLink and the Waterfront should be priorities! As it is already obvious the Gov finds it difficult to do more than one thing at a time! I feel that if theres a ranking order then the stadiums should wait and be done properly, rather than everthing being done to mediocre standards!

If quality of stadiums was the real issue the WC would never have been awarded to Brazil, South Africa or Japan at that. They won their bids based on the football culture or potential for growth. Even when the US hosted it was on the premise of expanding the sport, not because they had the worlds biggest and best stadiums.

All FIFA is interested in is every city having a stadium that is at least acceptable to their spectator viewing, advertising and broadcast requirements....even if all the stadiums were provide are ovals. We have 3 major, high quality venues in Suncorp, ANZ and the MCG. They will be the venues everyone sees in the later rounds. The rest really don't matter.

Brazil to this point has no stadium that meets World Cup requirements but they are undertaking a massive building and renovation program over the next four years.

Im sorry to affend but- something always has to give- its the way it is! As much as our stadiums need revamping etc and yes they do! The fact is at least we have some kinda facilities!

My thoughts are the NLink and the Waterfront should be priorities! As it is already obvious the Gov finds it difficult to do more than one thing at a time! I feel that if theres a ranking order then the stadiums should wait and be done properly, rather than everthing being done to mediocre standards!

Well deal with the problem of being a massive state, with problems larger than most other national governments have to deal with...but only with a population of 2 million. When you couple low population, large administrative area and a national level political structure that favors more densely populated areas (Vic, NSW, SE-QLD) you will always have issues of funding, coordination and standards.; even with the massive mining revenue experienced by this state. Rapidly growing population in Perth haven't helped either.

Brazil to this point has no stadium that meets World Cup requirements but they are undertaking a massive building and renovation program over the next four years.

As discussed above, the bid was won on the basis of the development of only a few new stadiums.

If Australia is awarded 2022 I am almost certain FIFA will require the construction of new, rectangular venues in (at the very least) Perth and Hobart. Other cities appear to have rectangular venues capable of expansion or suitable oval shaped venues.

Being awarded 2022 in 2010 plays into the hands of "under prepared" countries like Australia, Netherlands/Belgium because of the massive time frame.

I almost get the feeling the decision to award 2018/2022 at the same time was to favor new market countries like Australia, while still pleasing the traditional football countries. I wouldn't be surprised in 2026 & 2032 are awarded together to favor a tradition country in 2026 (Spain, Russia, England, Italy etc) and a new market (i.e China) in a similar way.

As discussed above, the bid was won on the basis of the development of only a few new stadiums.



Interestingly it's been reported that they're spending a bit over US$1.1bn on stadium construction and upgrades for twelve stadiums.

Japan/Korea had some of the most amazing stadiums ever seen!

FIFA stepped in to re-design a number of stadiums in South Africa, and particularly in Brazil, where most of the original plans were torn up! Also, you have to remember that FIFA had committed to take the world cup to these two continents, and these two were the only real contenders in each one. This time around the competition is much tougher and so I feel stadiums will be more of an issue - especially as Australia are competing against England, Spain/Portugal, Russia (can you imagine how much they would spend), USA et al.

Providing cricket/AFL a new stadium with poor sight lines for Football is not really leaving a legacy for Football. Neither is a stadium with a grass bank (which could not be used during the world cup which requires all-seater stadia).
Put it this way.
Australia will only be awarded the WC purely on the basis of Australia's ability to grow the sport. This is how the US won the bid and how the Jap/SK bid was won.

The stadiums are against us, the climate & weather (noting the WC will be in out winter), the whole AFL/NRL saga, lack of infrustructure (some cities public transport are embrassing), etc, etc, etc are all gonna hold us back.

As my man the Premier would say, "Even Adelaide is getting a proper stadium! Even Adelaide!"


not quite - it is a revamped Adelaide Oval.

The same kind of revamp that Barnett wants for Subiaco Oval.

The stadiums are against us, the climate & weather (noting the WC will be in out winter), the whole AFL/NRL saga, lack of infrustructure (some cities public transport are embrassing), etc, etc, etc are all gonna hold us back.

The next two world cups are in winter, in countries with poor inter and intra city transportation.

Put it this way.
Australia will only be awarded the WC purely on the basis of Australia's ability to grow the sport. This is how the US won the bid and how the Jap/SK bid was won.

The stadiums are against us, the climate & weather (noting the WC will be in out winter), the whole AFL/NRL saga, lack of infrustructure (some cities public transport are embrassing), etc, etc, etc are all gonna hold us back.

Jack Warner has said the major hindrance to Australia is the distance / isolation.

The next two world cups are in winter, in countries with poor inter and intra city transportation.

Yes but these two world cups basically one had one bidder.

Jack Warner has said the major hindrance to Australia is the distance / isolation.

You would think that people would go anywhere to watch their country play in the WC.

Put it this way.
Australia will only be awarded the WC purely on the basis of Australia's ability to grow the sport. This is how the US won the bid and how the Jap/SK bid was won.

The stadiums are against us, the climate & weather (noting the WC will be in out winter), the whole AFL/NRL saga, lack of infrustructure (some cities public transport are embrassing), etc, etc, etc are all gonna hold us back.

I wouldn't say purely. I would put a good dose of politics within the world soccer community. I would also refer people to Andrew Jennings work on the issue.

Oh and I noticed the other day that the basketball stadium at AK Reserve has had a bit of landscaping done around it, so it must be getting close.

You would think that people would go anywhere to watch their country play in the WC.

just like how australians go in their droves when its in brazil or north america etc as opposed to when if it was in SE Asia?

travel cost and logistics can be clearly an issue for lots of people (even in Europe) as they aren't all wealthy like you/your family.

Yes but these two world cups basically one had one bidder.

For 2014 Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia all made bids to their federation. Brazil was selected and no other continent made a bid.

The African Federation elected South Africa over bids from Egypt and Morocco to be its single bid put forward to FIFA. No other continent made a bid.

So technically there were only 1 bidder in each competition but they were still challenged by other countries.

just like how australians go in their droves when its in brazil or north america etc as opposed to when if it was in SE Asia?

travel cost and logistics can be clearly an issue for lots of people (even in Europe) as they aren't all wealthy like you/your family.
How do we know that less Australians will go to Brazil in 2014 compared to those that went in 2006?

I do get your point as im merely generalising but given the opportunity, anyone would go to watch their country play.

For 2014 Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia all made bids to their federation. Brazil was selected and no other continent made a bid.

The African Federation elected South Africa over bids from Egypt and Morocco to be its single bid put forward to FIFA. No other continent made a bid.

So technically there were only 1 bidder in each competition but they were still challenged by other countries.

Correct me if i'm wrong but didn't Argentina and Columbia express an interest in bidding without actually bidding?

Correct me if i'm wrong but didn't Argentina and Columbia express an interest in bidding without actually bidding?

They applied with brief details just as Brazil did, and Morocco and Egypt and SA.

For 2014 Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia all made bids to their federation. Brazil was selected and no other continent made a bid.

The African Federation elected South Africa over bids from Egypt and Morocco to be its single bid put forward to FIFA. No other continent made a bid.

So technically there were only 1 bidder in each competition but they were still challenged by other countries.

Because at that point there was a continental rotation policy, which has now been reversed.

How do we know that less Australians will go to Brazil in 2014 compared to those that went in 2006?

I do get your point as im merely generalising but given the opportunity, anyone would go to watch their country play.

my point is not as many people in Europe will go to Australia compared if its held within USA / Europe.

I know lots and lots of people that went to the Word Cup from the UK to Germany but they didnt go to Japan/Korea.

We all know Europe / FIFA stills controls the World Cups.

Perth's new basketball stadium nears completion


It is the $1 million floor which the Perth Wildcats hope will help them attract more players - and the Government is convinced will be the centre of Perth's indoor recreation for the next decade and beyond.

The second stage of Perth's developing sporting precinct surrounding Challenge Stadium is almost complete, with the keys to the city's new basketball centre to be handed over to manager's VenuesWest before Christmas, and launched in the New Year.

The combined cost of the AK Reserve athletics stadium - which will host the country's top athletes at the National championships next year - and the basketball centre is put at $73.4 million

And while the fate and future of Perth's major outdoor stadium still continues to haunt the Government and Sports Minister Terry Waldron, he said the completion of the facility was more evidence of WA's growing sporting infrastructure.

"This will be fantastic not only for basketball but for the community and for other sports to utilise as well," Mr Waldron told WAtoday.

"It is a special precinct now really, with Challenge Stadium and McGillivray sports grounds, a new athletics stadium, basketball and a rugby facility and the Institute of Sport.

"You would love to be able to spend a lot more on sporting facilities.

"We tend to focus on major facilities which are really important, but there is a lot going on at local community level in the suburbs and in country towns."

The new stadium will house eight courts, with the centerpiece a show court with 2000 seats – 900 of which are retractable – state-of-the-art lighting and a maple floor enjoyed by the best of the best in the NBA.

With the Wildcats set to move their entire operation, including their training program, to the stadium in the coming weeks, CEO Nick Marvin is convinced the new facility will help the club prosper, as well as the sport.

"This is wonderful news for basketball, and will make our club and the sport far more attractive," Marvin said

"What people forget is the participation levels of basketball across the country are always among the highest of any sport in this country – you only have to go to Perry Lakes any weekend to see it packed with kids playing."

Basketball Australia reckons there are 600,000 registered players through local associations across the country, with the Sweeney Summer Sports Report ranking basketball just behind cricket and soccer - and almost double AFL - in organised participation.

The participation at the new stadium will see six courts available for basketball in the main arena, with markings already also down for volleyball, badminton and netball.

With a cafe and bar, reception area, multiple, multi-use changing rooms and imposing external structure, VenuesWest anticipate a flood of activity as soon as the doors are officially opened on January 24.


There is a photo gallery also...

http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/basketball/perths-new-basketball-stadium-nears-completion-20091203-k8md.html

so what will happen when Perth Arena is finished? Will the Wildcats return to the CBD?

so what will happen when Perth Arena is finished? Will the Wildcats return to the CBD?

Yes Wildcats will play at Perth Arena :)
..if they are still around, I think they worked out the money problems though.

I thought it is still up in the air whether the Wildcats will go to Perth Arena or stay at Challenge Stadium. I guess it comes down to economics, how many people they can expect to turn up if they go to PA, etc.

btw - here are some of the pics in that link above by Jackso.

It looks pretty good. I wandered around there this evening. The Rugby practice area is still being done, but the access road looks almost finished. And there is always heaps of people down there at the athletics each Fri evening. Looks like there were some races there tonight.

http://images.watoday.com.au/2009/12/03/944281/14-600x400.jpg

http://images.watoday.com.au/2009/12/03/944280/16-600x400.jpg

http://images.watoday.com.au/2009/12/03/944274/1-600x400.jpg

http://images.watoday.com.au/2009/12/03/944272/4-600x400.jpg

http://images.watoday.com.au/2009/12/03/944269/5-600x400.jpg

http://images.watoday.com.au/2009/12/03/944268/17-600x400.jpg

A contract hasn't been signed but the Cats have suggested they would like to go to the Arena.

I would be nice to have them in the city, but a bit of water to go under the bridge before PA is finished.

Isnt the main reason why the carpark under PA because the Wildcats wanted it?

I would suggest that the Wildcats would like to play at Perth Arena no question. The sticking point will be the financial viability of that, and if they stay at Challenge, I would suggest the reasons will be purely financial.

They could run some pretty great marketing campaigns about returning to their "true home".

Playing at Challenge they sell out the stadium. It would make sense for them to move to a bigger stadium and be more central.

I'd say the government will work something out so they can play there.

the transport to Perth Arena is ALOT better.
if they dont move to Perth Arena, Ill kick them!

you would think the patronage would increase purely by virtue of the ease of access to the Arena. I for one will commit to attending the majority of matches if at the arena, and i wouldn't mind walking from city west or the city trainstation to get there either

wildcats at PA would be nice BUT if they can't get 80%+ capacity (we're looking at around 10k) then the atmosphere just wouldn't be there. I doubt that they can. The other thing in their favor is that if I'm not mistaken some sections of the arena could be closed off for smaller crowds to maintain the atmosphere which may be an option.

What crowds do they get at Challenge?

What crowds do they get at Challenge?

4,000-4,500..basically a sell out each week.

I'm sure they could aim fro 6,000-8,000 per week at PA. Better location and a new stadium should lure more fans in. Whether that makes it economically viable compared to Challenge I'm not sure.

And from memory PEC was about 8,000.

And from memory PEC was about 8,000.

Correct. Though completely new facility with a different owner/operator..

p3 Cambridge Post


Subi backflips on night games

Unreasonable and premature is what Subiaco council has called a request by the WA Football Commission (WAFC) for a free run of night games at Subiaco Oval.

The WAFC wants restrictions on the number of night sporting events at the oval lifted.

It also wants the floodlights turned on for an extra hour from 10 to 11pm.

It has asked the state government to approve the changes, saying it would also accommodate the needs of international and super-14 rugby and A-league soccer matches, as required.

The oval was first used for night sporting events in 1997 when floodlight towers were installed.

The number of night games was originally limited to eight and increased to 12 in 2001 and 24 in 2007.

A report by the council's planning manager said the lifting of restrictions before a final decision on the likely redevelopment of the oval was made was premature.

The report said 35 submissions had been received from nearby residents about the proposed changes, with some asking for all night games to be stopped.

Non-sporting events like music concerts were still subject to separate approvals.

The request was considered by the council's planning committee this week; it voted to advise the government that it would not support the proposed changes.

Mayor Heather Henderson said she had initially thought the request was reasonable.

She said if the council wanted the government to back a new stadium and encourage big events, the ban should be lifted.

But this week she backflipped, after hearing from residents.

"We've never evaluated what happens after people go to the football but we hear the complaints about litter and people urinating in letterboxes and that it really is worse after night games than day games," she said.

Earlier in the meeting the WAFC's Geoff Glass said police had not received a single complaint requiring the commission's attention in the past year.

He said residents were told about fixtures early in the year and given emergency contact numbers.

"No other comparable facility in the country has any restrictions on the use of lights," he said.

Councillor Rodney Wells said it was even hard for people in the area to access their house during matches and something had to be done urgently to fix the problem.

"But on the other hand if people live next to a major facility, they need to accept that there is going to be an impact on them and more likely than not it's going be a growing impact," he said,

Loren White said although the importance of the oval to Subiaco had to be acknowledged, the council "still owed its major responsibility to the ratepayers and residents of the city".

p6 Cambridge Post


First bounce at basketballers' heaven
By LINDA CALLAGHAN

Terry Waldron's eyes lit up when he walked into the new basketball stadium at Mt Claremont.

The Sports Minister, former international cricketer and lifetime member of the WA Country Football League could not resist the chance to bounce a ball on the American maple sprung floor and shooting the hoop.

"This is going to be great for basketball," he said.

The minister was getting a sneak preview of the stadium that incorporates all the latest technology, from harvesting rain from the roof into underground storage tanks, to energy-efficient lighting.

A wall of 900 retractable seats can create a show court for 2000 spectators in less than 15 minutes at the push of a button.

"You will be able to have a tournament and in less than half an hour create a court for the final," Mr Waldron said.

The Nationals MP and father of four daughters, hoisted a staffer's five-year-old son Dan on to his shoulders, to give the youngster a chance to slam dunk.

Hoops in the complex are remotely controlled and can be set at 10ft for adult games or lowered to 8ft for juniors.

"I played football and cricket," Mr Waldron said, walking around the eight-court stadium that will also host netball, badminton and volleyball.

"I tried basketball but I was vertically challenged."

Department of Sport senior facilities consultant Rob Thomson said American plantation maple was used for the floors.

"We could not guarantee that if we used Australian hardwood it would not come from old growth forests," he said.

Former basketballer David Flherton, now chief executive of Venues West which will run the complex, said players would appreciate the level of cushioning in the floor.

"They will feel how soft it will be on their knees and ankles," he said.

He said the complex was ranked top class by the international federation of basketball associations (FIBA).

Change rooms and extra wide showers have been designed to cater for wheel-chair sports players.

The show court area is air-conditioned, but Mr Thomson said the cost of air-conditioning the whole complex could not be justified.

Instead, the stadium that looks over protected bushland has high and low-level louvres to capture the sea breeze at low level and push hot air out at high level.

Etched steel artwork in the foyer by Ariff and Audrey Satar incorpoates LED
screens that will play moving pictures of basketballs.

Celebrity players are being recruited for the first match to mark the official opening on January 24.

Mr Etherton said parking problems complained about by Cambridge council were temporary, until the basketball stadium underground car parking was fully commissioned and a new road through the site was built to cater for buses.

He said Venues West hoped to encourage people to use public transport to get to big events by incorporating the travel price in the event ticket.

p19 today's West


Stadium delay 'sets Perth back
MARK DUFFIELD

West Coast chairman Mark Barnaba has warned that Perth would need a 55,000-seat stadium in eight years just to maintain the status quo.

Mr Barnaba predicted that an in-principle agreement between football and cricket in South Australia for a $450 million redevelopment to turn Adelaide Oval into a 50,000-seat stadium would focus attention on Perth, which is now the only major Australian city without a major stadium or plans for one.

"What is happening in Adelaide will cause a spotlight to be shone on us as a State," he said. "Compared to South Australia, economically we are in a much stronger position. We have a higher population growth, a higher GDP, a larger population. If $450 million can be spent to develop Adelaide Oval I think it can only help momentum to get something developed here.

"The population of WA is growing at 3 to 3.5 per cent per year. Three per cent population growth compounded seven or eight years is 25 per cent.

"You would have to have 55,000 just to maintain where we are today, just to keep pace with natural population growth."

The West Australian understands that the Football Federation of Australia told the WA Government at a recent meeting that its quantity surveyors had costed a 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium with retractable seats at $685 million.

The stadium would put Perth in the running for a soccer World Cup semi-final should Australia's bid for either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup succeed, the Government was told.

Sports Minister Terry Waldron said that the meeting took place but he
declined to confirm the value put on the stadium which Premier Colui Bar-nett has repeatedly referred to as a $1.1 billion project.

"The Premier has made it clear that there will be no announcement on the stadium for two years," Mr Waldron said. "We will continue to work with key stakeholders like the FFA and the WA Football Commission right up until the time we can make an announcement."

He said the Premier had "an open mind" on stadium proposals.

An internationally renowned stadium expert has urged all stakeholders involved hi the debate to explore different funding options.

HOK's Alistair Richardson said projects like Arsenal's Emirates Stadium showed what could be achieved with public-private partnerships. He said half the $500 million cost of the 60,000-seat stadium was covered by the sale of 2500 residential units created in a surrounding precinct.

"In Perth, what has not happened yet in this debate is discussion on a viable alternative source of funding for this project," he said.

WA Football Commission chairman Neale Fong said the commission hoped to put its revised plan for a 55,000-seat staged rebuild of Subiaco to the State Government before the end of the year. "We are pressing the Government but the Premier is standing by his two-year deferral decision," Dr Fong said.

He said the proposal was "fully FIFA compliant with retractable seating for ongoing rectangular sports".

I like Barnetts figure of 1.1 Billion dollars. Means we would do things right and get a stadium 60k-70k thousand as opposed to a 50k-55k seat stadium that would simply not be worth it.

I think the general costing is a bit over $10,000 per seat. So, a 60,000 would be around $700,000 - but I guess that would go upwards of that if the site is a brown-field one instead of a green-field. But it is a moot point - I can't see it happening any time soon. All the other projects ahead of a stadium will mean it gets pushed back further. It is a shame that we can't have a lottery or something similar that the procedes of which will be used for a new stadium.

I thought it was
$800 mill for the stadium itself (note this was when labour was in shortage and materials were priced through the roof)

$300 mill for the resumption of land, rail-lines, paving, etc, etc





Either way, Im resigned to the fact that by being a lover of all sports, Perth is just not going to cater for my needs and looking east is the only solution.

I thought it was
$800 mill for the stadium itself (note this was when labour was in shortage and materials were priced through the roof)

$300 mill for the resumption of land, rail-lines, paving, etc, etc





Either way, Im resigned to the fact that by being a lover of all sports, Perth is just not going to cater for my needs and looking east is the only solution.
As a spectator of all sports? I suspect as a participant you can't do much better than Perth.

Here's an interesting seating comparison between Subi and ME Stadium, including the new temp seating. Courtesy of The Western Force supporters site
- Primarily the Coach

http://gotheforce.com/uploaded/1/1259903327.jpg

The Sports Minister, former international cricketer

That's a bit of a stretch.

That's a bit of a stretch.

It certainly is! He did play in an Australian Country XI... but that is not recognised by the ICC as an official international.

Certainly a stretch, could be said that he has represented an Australian team, but it is misleading in this context without supporting explanation to say he is a former international cricketer...

Fix Subi for soccer, says Barnett
ROBERT TAYLOR, The West Australian

Colin Barnett has confirmed that his Government wants to ditch plans for a new football stadium and instead redevelop Subiaco Oval in time to host soccer World Cup games in 2018 or 2022.

Mr Barnett said WA could not afford the new stadium which was recommended by the previous Government’s task force at a cost of over $1 billion.

“The previous Government promoted the idea of building a new stadium on an entirely new site for over $1 billion. Western Australian simply can’t afford that,” said Mr Barnett.

“No State can afford that. What we might be able to afford is progressively rebuild a new stadium on the Subiaco site.”

Mr Barnett said the MCG in Melbourne and the Gabba ground in Queensland were rebuilt and WA would go the same way with Subiaco to achieve a stadium which would seat in excess of 50,000 people.

“The other consideration is that Australia is making a serious bid for either the 2018 or 2022 soccer World Cup. Western Australia has committed as part of that bid that should we succeed we will have a FIFA compliant stadium. Which basically means a new stadium on the Subiaco site,” said Mr Barnett.

Mr Barnett was responding to news that the South Australian Government would spend over $400 million rebuilding the Adelaide Oval.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/6567941/fix-subi-for-soccer-says-barnett/

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/6567941/fix-subi-for-soccer-says-barnett/

He hides behind the MCG and the Gabba, but the fact is, these venues are horrible for football/soccer. Its only the size of the MCG that makes it an attractive venue for football.

If there is to be a progressive redevelopment I hope it includes movable bottom tiers to make the ground suitable for rugby/soccer. Otherwise my preference is to rebuilt Subiaco for AFL/Cricket/Athletics and find a new location for a FIFA compliant rectangular stadium for football and rugby.

He hides behind the MCG and the Gabba, but the fact is, these venues are horrible for football/soccer. Its only the size of the MCG that makes it an attractive venue for football.

If there is to be a progressive redevelopment I hope it includes movable bottom tiers to make the ground suitable for rugby/soccer. Otherwise my preference is to rebuilt Subiaco for AFL/Cricket/Athletics and find a new location for a FIFA compliant rectangular stadium for football and rugby.

Even if they do that, they need to make sure the upper tiers aren't too far away.

Even if they do that, they need to make sure the upper tiers aren't too far away.

I was thinking along the same lines as ANZ...rather than Telstra Dome. Less of an oval.

OMG A.K reserve is almost finished. I seen the bball stadium on my way out to challenge for wildcats on Sat night... it is looking very impressive indeed!

OMG A.K reserve is almost finished. I seen the bball stadium on my way out to challenge for wildcats on Sat night... it is looking very impressive indeed!

I love that movie series: Seen, Seen II, Seen III, Seen IV, Seen V and Seen VI. Wonder if they'll make any more? :)

^^^

http://files.shroomery.org/files/07-42/266485575-GrammarNazi.jpg

OMG A.K reserve is almost finished. I seen the bball stadium on my way out to challenge for wildcats on Sat night... it is looking very impressive indeed!

Footpath on other side of AK Reserve going in and mods to Underwood will be underway soon to finish off the stage. Obviously the Rugby Union building will be next cab off the rank.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/6568603

With stadium, Premier compares apples with apple pie
MARK DUFFIELD, ANALYIS, The West Australian December 9, 2009, 1:36 pm

Colin Barnett appears to be pointing WA towards the WA Football Commission's two-stage, $450 million blueprint that will see Subiaco Oval rebuilt to hold 55,000 people.

It is clearly the best of three stadium plans the WAFC has so far pitched to the WA Government.

The plan involves a three tier grandstand horseshoeing around the arena, stretching clockwise from the spot the existing stands touch Roberts Road at the western end, to where they touch it at the eastern end.

But Roberts Road remains the sting in the tail of the current Subiaco Oval site. The Premier either hasn't noticed, refuses to acknowledge it or remains in denial.

Roberts Road and the geographical constriction it places on the site is the very reason the Langoulant major stadium task force recommended Kitchener Park as the best spot for its 60,000 seat multi-purpose stadium in the first place.

And the cost of that stadium appears to be another issue that the premier is struggling to come to terms with. There he was again today costing the 60,000-seater at over $1 billion. Yet the stadium itself, as opposed to the stadium project, has repeatedly been costed at around $700 million.

The Premier and Sports Minister Terry Waldron were told at a recent meeting with the Football Federation of Australia that soccer’s quantity surveyors had costed the multipurpose stadium at $685 million.

The Premier, when he compares stadium projects, has a bad habit of comparing apples with apple pie.

It’s an important point to make because if the $200 million-plus of associated infrastructure, which the task force's report concluded was necessary to successfully accommodate 60,000 people, it is probably also necessary to accommodate 55,000 people.

And if it is not necessary, the premier should take it out of the equation.

The capacity of the WAFC proposal is also an issue. West Coast chairman Mark Barnaba said last week that WA would need a 55,000 seat stadium in eight years to maintain the status quo. Unfortunately the status quo already has 10,000 West Coast fans who can't get into the ground because of limited capacity.

World Cup guidelines stipulate that stadiums must have a 60,000 seat capacity to host knockout stage matches of the tournament and getting to 60,000 brings us back to Roberts Road.

The road would have to be re-routed, and a significant chunk of prime real estate on the southern side – people’s homes – purchased for the WAFC plan to achieve a 60,000 capacity.

The WAFC steered clear of the issue because reclaiming homes takes time and costs money. They wanted the project to start quickly and they wanted money spent on new grandstands, not houses.

But it is a "complete" rebuild of Subiaco that the Premier is advocating, and it is in completing the rebuild that the real cost will emerge.

Little wonder that the Premier once admitted his preferred rebuild would "probably" cost more. Some wonder, though, how he continues to struggle to get the cost of the other stadium proposal in front of him right.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/mp/6569557

Labor hatred breeds flawed concepts
ROBERT TAYLOR Comment, The West Australian December 10, 2009, 2:23 am

http://l.yimg.com/fv/xp/wan/20091210/01/2672584962.jpg
WA News / Bill Hatto ©

The Thought Bubble Premier was at it again yesterday, against all the available advice floating his preference to rebuild Subiaco Oval progressively rather than start from scratch on a new site.

Mr Barnett claims that the State can't afford to build a new football stadium on a greenfield site but concedes that something has to be done because Subiaco isn't up to scratch.

That's exactly why the previous Labor government commissioned John Langoulant and a panel of eminently qualified people to investigate the best option for a replacement. That panel examined all the relevant issues and came up with a new multi-purpose stadium on Kitchener Park at a cost of about $670 million, not the $1 billion Mr Barnett keeps quoting.
If the aim now is to have a new facility in place for an Australian soccer World Cup in 2022, that gives WA State governments 12 years or three full terms to get it built.

That is surely not beyond a State as prosperous as this one.
But Mr Barnett's preference is for a demonstrably flawed concept, a bit like the canal. You've got to wonder why.

First of all, the Premier hates anything the previous two Labor administrations put in place and tends to run at speed in the opposite direction even if they make perfect sense.
Hence, he threw out a perfectly sound tender process for the Oakajee Port and Rail development north of Geraldton in order to commit $800 million of taxpayers' money to a project which previously was funded entirely by the private sector.

He scrapped Alan Carpenter's admittedly grandiose plans for the Perth waterfront development and is set to announce yet another concept for the city's doorstep, and in the meantime he promoted the Northbridge Link ahead of it.
So it's hardly surprising that he rejects the findings of the Langoulant task force, particularly since the animosity between the two men is well known.

But remove the personalities and vested interests of the WA Football Commission and any rational examination of the stadium issue leads to the same conclusion that the task force arrived at.

So in other words, Perth people have to suffer through the bullshit.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/6569560/premier-punts-for-cheap-arena/

Premier punts for cheap arena
ROBERT TAYLOR STATE POLITICAL EDITOR, The West Australian December 10, 2009, 2:25 am

Colin Barnett was under attack from all sides yesterday after declaring the Government would progressively rebuild Subiaco Oval rather than produce a new stadium.

He said WA could not afford a new stadium but needed to have an arena ready if Australia won its bid for the 2018 or 2022 soccer World Cup.

"The previous government promoted the idea of building an entirely new stadium on a new site, (for) over $1 billion," Mr Barnett said.

"Western Australia just simply can't afford that ... no State can afford that. What we might be able to afford is to progressively rebuild a new stadium on the Subiaco site."

He said WA was committed to having a "FIFA compliant stadium" as part of Australia's bid for the World Cup, which would mean rebuilding Subiaco to seat 50,000 to 60,000 fans.

But the man who headed the previous government's stadium task force, former State under-treasurer John Langoulant, said the Premier was just plain wrong and had been "under-briefed" about the cost of a new stadium and what could be achieved with a rebuilt Subiaco.

He said proponents of rebuilding Subiaco had never solved the problem of realignment and buying properties on Roberts Road to the south.

"It clearly is cheaper to build a new stadium because you avoid all the difficulties of Roberts Road," Mr Langoulant said. "The plans I've seen for a progressive rebuild of Subiaco don't even get close to dealing with that."

The task force recommended a new stadium at Kitchener Park to the north costed at $670 million, not the $1 billion Mr Barnett claimed.

"You won't find $1 billion in the task force report," he said. "That figure came about because Alan Carpenter decided that rather than build it now he'd build it in 2016." The WA Football Commission is expected to present a plan in the new year to rebuild Subiaco Oval.

Chief executive Wayne Bradshaw said Mr Barnett had a consistent view on the issue and the WAFC was confident the upgrade would go ahead.

"Our understanding is that it is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when and what. We are going to keep trying to bring forward the when," he said.

But Mr Langoulant said the WAFC proposal would produce a lopsided, one-dimensional stadium.

"It's got all the crowd on the northern side of the stand, it doesn't go close to revealing what the final cost will be, it doesn't provide for moveable seats to make it truly a multi-purpose stadium and yet it is represented as having all those things," he said.

Shadow sport minister Ken Travers said Mr Barnett did not have the backing of detailed research or planning for his preferred position.

Labor used an expert panel to explore the best option and it decided on a new stadium. If this was the cheapest long-term option, why not do that, Mr Travers said.

A spokesman for Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron seemed to contradict Mr Barnett, saying a new stadium had not been ruled in or out. Mr Waldron was still considering all options from all stakeholders.

Subiaco will never be world-class: Langoulant
CHALPAT SONTI
December 10, 2009 - 9:44AM

Premier Colin Barnett is dreaming if he thinks rebuilding Subiaco Oval is cheaper than a new stadium, respected Perth business and sports figure John Langoulant says.

His comments follow Mr Barnett's pledge yesterday that WA would get a new stadium on the site of Subiaco Oval should Australia be successful in its soccer World Cup bid.

The new stadium, which would be a "progressive rebuild" of Subiaco rather than a brand new stadium, would cost more than the $450 million expected for a rebuild of Adelaide Oval, but less than the "$1 billion" figure Mr Barnett said was required for a new stadium.

Mr Langoulant chaired the former Labor Government's stadium taskforce, which recommended a new stadium at the adjacent Kitchener Park over a staged rebuild of the existing Subiaco Oval.

He called into question the Premier's maths skills after telling Radio 6PR's Simon Beaumont that the Kitchener Park proposal was costed at $680 million.

"I don't know who's briefing the Premier," Mr Langoulant said.

"To rebuild the stadium will cost you more (than the cost of a new stadium)."

Mr Langoulant said any rebuild of Subiaco would be well in excess of $1 billion.

"We won't get a world class stadium by rebuilding Subiaco," he said.

"It's just not possible because of all the difficulties of Roberts Road. It acts as basically the defining limit of the stadium."

The road, which borders the southern side of the stadium, would have to be moved if the existing facility was to be expanded properly, Mr Langoulant said.

"We've got to talk also about the inconvenience factors of rebuilding the stadium."

The Kitchener Park proposal was for a multi-purpose stadium, which would have also accommodated the "rectangular" sports such as soccer, rugby union and rugby league, and allowed for a capacity for those sports of about 45,000.

The upgrade of ME Bank stadium that is now underway allows for a capacity of about 20,500, while Mr Barnett said yesterday he would like to see a facility similar to Skilled Stadium on the Gold Coast, which has seating for about 27,000.

But Mr Langoulant said knockers of the Kitchener Park proposal just wanted to preserve Subiaco for AFL. Multi-purpose grounds, such as Sydney's Olympic Stadium, "worked well".

*Source (http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/afl-news/subiaco-will-never-be-worldclass-langoulant-20091210-kl9h.html)

I am fine with the WAFC proposal.....but it better come with another FIFA compliant, world class, well placed, rectangular venue Mr Barnett.

finally some proper media coverage on the stadium issue!

Barnett is really coping some well deserved flack!! ... I wonder if there was a serious public backlash about re-building subi rather than a new site if he would change his stance?

How can one person be so ignorant and arrogant on a topic?

Just going against it for the sake of it.

I'd love to start a petition to recognise the Stadium Taskforce's findings but don't really no if it's worth it considering the nature of Barnett.

First of all, the Premier hates anything the previous two Labor administrations put in place and tends to run at speed in the opposite direction even if they make perfect sense.:lol: So far that really does seem to be the case


Redeveloping the existing Subiaco Oval was stupid 8-10 years ago when they did the last lot of renovations. Its just plain ridiculous now.

The thing is, will Colin's ego allow him to ever back down from his position and admit that he is wrong?

^^No.

Is it just me or does it appear that the Govt Ministers are rarely seen (besides Barnett, Buswell and Rob Johnson - the latter who is a massive liability as (it seems) always happens with police Ministers)?

It's been known for ages that Barnett keeps those behind him on a leash at all times.

A friend I was speaking to the other day has known Colin Barnett for years, and says he's very bad tempered.

It's been known for ages that Barnett keeps those behind him on a leash at all times.

How does Johnson keep blundering in public then?

I haven't seem much of him bar a few sound bites since the public lynching earlier this year.

I think there has been another blunder or two since then, but yeah he has been hidden besides that.

The question is, what else is genuinely 'world class' in Perth that a stadium needs to be world class?
PS: A new stadium should be built next to Ascott.

The talk of where a stadium should be put has already been researched by the Taskforce. We should not have to go to the start and go through the whole process again.

The question is, what else is genuinely 'world class' in Perth that a stadium needs to be world class?
PS: A new stadium should be built next to Ascott.
Stadiums age very badly and therefore needs to be world class when its built. Not long after that stadium is finished built, technological advances would have surpassed that resulting in it no longer being a 'world class' stadium.

Example 1: Ethihad Stadium in Melbourne


As for your question, not much actually. But thats maybe why were not a 'world-class' city.


And a stadium in Ascot is a bad idea IMO. Poor public transport links, poor road networks, nimby neighbours, no entertainment precint, etc, etc.

I'll tell you what's funny though. I hardly ever head the term "world class" bandied around in London compared to how much it was used in Perth. Inferiority complex much? I wish people in Perth would just get on with doing what needs to be done and give up on the delusions of grandeur. A Perth that lives up to its potential will be a kick ass city on its own merits, regardless of what anyone else is going anywhere else.

I think I said it before, but hopefully Perth Arena will be a massive success when it opens and it makes people want more good quality entertainment/sport buildings. Then hopefully we will get a chance to have the Kitchener Park stadium.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/6573638/rugby-fans-face-lockout/

Rugby fans face lockout
PETER KERR and ROBERT TAYLOR,
The West Australian December 11, 2009, 2:25 am

The State Government's stadium policy is set for another stern test as thousands of rugby fans face being turned away from ME Bank stadium for the Western Force's opening game of the Super 14 season.

Rugby WA chief Vern Reid warned yesterday that it expected fans would flock back to watch rugby at the patched-up rectangular stadium in East Perth after four seasons at Subiaco Oval, which they deserted because of the poor viewing experience.

But with a capacity of just 20,500, competition for seats at the stadium throughout the season was expected to be fierce.

"We anticipate there is going to be pressure on the gate and some people who walked away from Subiaco when they were members are going to miss out," Mr Reid said. "They are going to be pretty agitated."

He said rugby was grateful for a $2 million loan from the Government to help it upgrade the facilities at the stadium but urged it to push ahead with its "in-principle" plans to progressively redevelop the site for rugby and A-League soccer games as swiftly as feasible.

The Government in July committed to developing a firm proposal for a new rectangular stadium by the middle of next year.

A spokesman for Sport Minister Terry Waldron said yesterday it was still the Government's intention to develop a detailed plan for a rectangular stadium by next year, ahead of any final announcement about a redevelopment of Subiaco.

It came as Murdoch University chancellor and prominent businessman Terry Budge called on the State's politicians to "lift their eyes and broaden their horizons" when it comes to a decision on a new sports stadium for Perth.

Mr Budge, a member of the task force that recommended a multi-purpose stadium be built on Kitchener Park next to Subiaco Oval, said Perth ran the risk of never being able to stage major sporting events because of "small town thinking". He took a swipe at Premier Colin Barnett's insistence that a new children's hospital took precedence over a stadium, saying the two were not mutually exclusive.

"We need to think like a global city," he said. "You've got to have these facilities to keep and capture what we would call the wealth creating age in our community. The 20 to 40 age group - they're the ones who want lifestyle with work and they want a great place to live."

Western Force will play their first game at ME Bank stadium against the Brumbies on February 12.

A friend I was speaking to the other day has known Colin Barnett for years, and says he's very bad tempered.

Why is that gnomes are traditionally bad-tempered?

I'll tell you what's funny though. I hardly ever head the term "world class" bandied around in London compared to how much it was used in Perth. Inferiority complex much? I wish people in Perth would just get on with doing what needs to be done and give up on the delusions of grandeur. A Perth that lives up to its potential will be a kick ass city on its own merits, regardless of what anyone else is going anywhere else.

Probably because it's implied?


I wonder when they'll get around to a debate on whether a new stadium will use some form of artificial surface.

I wonder when they'll get around to a debate on whether a new stadium will use some form of artificial surface.

I'd love to see them use Astroturf here. From what I've heard, it plays just as well as real grass, and it looks a damn load better (look at Subi Oval near the end of the football season, and all you'll see are massive mud patches near the goals).

They already use artificial/grass blends on a few grounds already - it'll be interesting to see if they go the full monty.

The area outside the boundary at Docklands is artificial turf.

Astroturf is shocking for injuries.


Its like playing footy on carpert.

The Grandstand ABC guys gave Barnett a good grilling over his stance on the Subi rebuild and his $1.1b figure he keeps quoting which he couldn't rebutt.

Oh and p19 today's West


WAFC woes in Subi hazard row
ROBERT TAYLOR
STATE POLITICAL EDITOR

A scathing assessment of the WA Football Commission's management of Subiaco Oval has raised the spectre of fans being exposed to hazardous materials such as asbestos and sparked a round of buck-passing by government departments.

The assessment, which was kept secret from the public, came from building consultant group GHD, which claimed that the WAFC had "no systems, process, procedures,
plans or historical records on the facilities at Subiaco Oval" in place.

It said the commission had not conducted a hazardous material survey and had no hazardous materials register, prompting shadow sports minister Ken Travers to question whether fans had been exposed to asbestos.

GHD was commissioned by Sports and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron to conduct a "remaining useful life" project on Subiaco Oval which found the ageing stadium was structurally sound and with minor maintenance work could last at least another 40 years.

But the company sent the Department of Sport and Recreation a final covering note containing the criticism of the commission's maintenance management systems which was not tabled by Mr Waldron in Parliament with the report.

"We found that maintenance tasks were conducted on a reactive basis and little future planning had occurred in the past, supporting our understanding that basic asset management processes did not exist," GHD manager Mark Bourhill said in the letter sent to the Department of Sport and Recreation on June 2.

"We also found that the WAFC have not conducted a hazardous materials survey and did not have a hazardous materials register."

A spokesman for Mr Waldron said yesterday that the Minister believed the contents of the letter had been discussed by department officers with the City of Subiaco, which leases the oval to the WAFC, but conceded that Mr Waldron had only seen the letter "recently".

But commission chief executive Wayne Bradshaw hotly denied the company's claims, saying he only became aware of GHD's letter a month ago and had since "objected to both GHD and the department about the relevance, context and content of GHD's comments".

"Some of the statements made in GHD's letter are simply untrue. In particular, it is untrue to state the WAFC has 'no systems, process, procedures, plans or historical records on the facilities at Subiaco Oval'," Mr Bradshaw said.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/wafl/6578661/stadium-space-race-a-big-deal/
& p149 today's West


Stadium space race a big deal
MARK DUFFIELD, The West Australian December 12, 2009, 10:58 am

http://l.yimg.com/ea/img/-/091212/a_220609heajeanette03-15i6bl2.jpg?x=292&sig=wOUJK4_CYlFusXrnmRubXw--
Fans first: Curtin vice-chancellor Jeanette Hacket believes spectators are all-important when a new stadium is built


New WA Football Commission member Jeanette Hacket has warned that even strong sports such as football faced the risk of fading away if they could not deliver state-of-the-art facilities for spectators.

The Curtin University vice-chancellor, last week added to the WAFC with former West Coast chairman Murray McHenry, labelled competition for the public entertainment dollar as a "space race".

Hacket, the second cousin of 1976 Brownlow medallist Graham Moss and the mother-in-law of Adelaide key-position player Scott Stevens, stressed it was too early for her to make pronouncements on what sort of model would suit a major stadium in WA.

But the new commissioner believed her experience in forming strategic alliances to enhance Curtin's services was the major asset she brought to the WAFC.

She said the need for similar alliances with other sports or businesses to deliver a world-class stadium in Perth could not be ruled out.

"I looked with envy at the announcement by South Australia for their new stadium at the Adelaide Oval," she said. "I know that it is not a binding agreement yet but to see the opportunity to strengthen that facility is fantastic.

"When one considers the competing entertainment, the choices that people have got and having had the benefit of seeing facilities like Etihad Stadium, my sense is that there is a real risk in the long term if we don't make sure that a new stadium is delivered.

"It is way too early for me to be putting a view on what the best model is. Clearly there has been a tremendous amount of work done both by the commission and through John Langoulant and the task force.

"The future for a football community that is thriving absolutely requires state-of-the-art facilities. I think we will just gradually fade away if we don't have state-of-the-art facilities."

Hacket said her university experience indicated that the best "physical assets" were delivered through a shared approach.

"There is insufficient resource in any one institution to actually be internationally competitive," she said of universities.

"Our business advantage has been gained through alliances. My own PhD in strategic management was around alliances. It is very hard for any individual area of activity to survive on one's own.

"I don't purport to be an expert in football but the experience I have had at national and international level, looking at collaborative arrangements, you can get more value by working together than having two separate operations."

__________________
Strings attached to World Cup bid
TIM CLARKE
December 14, 2009 - 9:28AM Comments 9

The full extent of what world soccer’s governing body would expect Perth and any other Australian city wanting to host World Cup games has been revealed in the draft host city agreement posted online.

Perth would have to finance late night trading, road closures and remove advertising as well as change the operating hours of Perth airport and pass laws banning ambush marketing if it wants to host games as part of Australia’s 2018 and 2022 bid.

Despite FIFA and Football Federation Australia wishing to keep details confidential, bloggers in the UK have gone public with the document – which outlines numerous strict conditions laid down by world soccer’s governing body.

As well as the strictly enforced "controlled zone" two kilometers around a host stadium, which WAtoday explored last month, host cities would also be required to agree to a raft of other conditions.

Retail opening hours for bars, restaurants and shops would have to be granted licences to stay open later, at a minimum, on each match day, with any trading restrictions lifted if a match was played on a "restricted trading day".

At any time during the competition, FIFA can ask to "restrict public access, or close public access completely, to any roads", as well as demand special traffic access lanes as well as police escorts for teams, FIFA officials and VIP guests

A traffic management plan would be needed three years before any match is played, and would have to paid for by the host city.

Airport authorities would be made to open for late night and early morning flight arrivals and departures to accommodate kick-off and finish times, with any airport taxes waived for airline operators if those flights are outside normal airport closure times.

Outdoor advertising spots would also be handed over to FIFA.

To ensure FIFA's fierce protection of its major sponsors, it demands that any host city enact "appropriate municipal by-laws, ordinances and/or regulations … prohibiting any act of ambush marketing" three years before matches are played.

Perth would also not be allowed to promote any other sporting event in the city more than the World Cup up to a year before the tournament, while no concerts or "other substantial cultural events" could take place the day before matches.

In the draft host city agreement, FIFA set out that "unless otherwise explicitly stated … the host city shall be responsible to bear all costs for the fulfilment of its obligations, and the exercise of the rights granted".

Last week, WA Premier Colin Barnett and Sports Minister Terry Waldron again committed to World Cup matches in Perth, saying WA would have a compliant stadium by the time the tournament could be hosted.

On Friday, Australia committed to providing a full bid, with FFA CEO Ben Buckley saying a successful bid would "form part of a living and lasting legacy to the world from Australia".

That was despite AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou declaring soccer would not be granted use of Melbourne's Etihad Stadium as a tournament venue, with FIFA requiring that each bidder has a dozen stadiums with capacities of 40,000 or more.

The next major milestone in the journey to host the World Cup will occur on May 14 next year, when the full "bid book" is provided to FIFA.

Other bidders include England, Russia, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Qatar and the USA.

^^

and here are some nimby comments for the above article. Classic.

__________________
Comments

9 comments so far
My my Tim, you do make all this sound like a lot of hard work. Trading restriction lifted if a match is played on a "restricted trading day"? That just means shops in Subiaco can open when there's a match on. A traffic management plan also sounds like common sense. I remember the absurdly-named "Tour de Perth" involved some traffic restrictions but we managed, didn't we? But in the end this might be irrelevant because England and the USA will do a better job staging a World Cup and with a lot less whining.

Rob B | Perth - December 14, 2009, 9:54AM
Men's Soccer please go back where you belong... (somewhere else)...GREAT GAME FOR THE KIDS AND LADIES THOUGH.

petermc - December 14, 2009, 10:14AM
I suggest we let them hold it somewhere other than Perth. Who needs it. It's a boring game anyway

pjl1941 | PERTH - December 14, 2009, 10:17AM
We live in the best state & country in the world, if any one wants to come here they come here and operate and behave by our rules and not theirs. We should give this mob a miss the representatives are part of an elite that have made a mess of the rest of the world why should we let them run rough shod over us. Tell am to buz off and let them make a mess of some where ales.

vanders | karratha - December 14, 2009, 11:49AM
Why all the negative comments from the media, this is the most popular game in the world.

Australia hosted the olympics very well, why cant we manage the world cup?

We havent even won the thing yet anyway!

Pertermc, get a life.

Mark A - December 14, 2009, 11:38AM
Dont worry about trading hours or advertising rights.....think about the poor European tourists coming to Perth and being forced to pay up to $18AUD for a pint of beer at one of our fine establishments.....

nate_max | Perth - December 14, 2009, 1:25PM
Last time i heard this was Western Australia not North Korea . If they wish to introduce Stalinist Rule go some place else and do it . I don't require the socker gods to tell me where and when I can go places . WORLD CUP take it some place else and shove it someplace the sun don't shine . don't need the aggro .

jim | Perth - December 14, 2009, 2:13PM
Can FIFA arrange for day light saving time to be reintroduced too?
So we get international football, extended trading, $millions pumped into the economy, visitors from all over the world coming to Perth, a month long party atmosphere. Yeah, I can see why the backward thinking residents of WA are dead set against this going ahead. And even that traffic management plan sounds good too.

Col | Freo - December 14, 2009, 2:02PM
Their talking about promoting any other sporting event like the Cricket or Rugby world cup not the local cricket or AFL games,talk about a load of scare mongering.

John | Dowerin - December 14, 2009, 5:22PM

Nothing new in those restrictions and changes at all. I was reading some of the things that are happening to businesses here for the Olympics and it's absolutely crazy. Some businesses that are in the "zone" of event venues actually have to shut down for a month as not to detract business from official sponsors. Of course the benefits to the city far outweigh the negatives, but the extent of control is pretty amazing when you get into the detail.

I would hope that by 2022, Perth will have fully deregulated trading and normal trading hours for bars instead of this midnight crap we have now.

Damn and I thought the Olympics was about sportsmanship, friendship, comradery, world peace, harmony and all those wonderful things they mention in opening/closing speeches.

First Santa, now this!

Please don't post the rubbish on here Swan. It's not worth our time reading it, nor you copying and pasting it.

Nothing new in those restrictions and changes at all. I was reading some of the things that are happening to businesses here for the Olympics and it's absolutely crazy. Some businesses that are in the "zone" of event venues actually have to shut down for a month as not to detract business from official sponsors. Of course the benefits to the city far outweigh the negatives, but the extent of control is pretty amazing when you get into the detail.

I would hope that by 2022, Perth will have fully deregulated trading and normal trading hours for bars instead of this midnight crap we have now.

Exactly. Take the good with the bad. The business owners around major sites win in the end. The legacy of big events such as the Olympics and WC provide decades of extra income post event. People just can't see past the current.

The discussion on the stadium that I mentioned from ABC Sportstalk last w/e. Interesting stuff in this.

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=132933&

Sat 12 December, 2009

Transcript - 720 ABC Sports Talk with Glenn Mitchell
Portfolio: Premier

GLENN MITCHELL

We’ve got a special guest to the program now, the Premier, Colin Barnett has rung in. [greetings not transcribed]

COLIN BARNETT

No, well I just heard the discussion from John Langoulant, or the end of it and few other comments. I just want to say one thing, and that is that a decision on the stadium, whether it’s a new one or a rebuilt Subiaco has not been made. And there seems to be an assumption that some decision has been made in the last week, it hasn’t.

GLENN MITCHELL

That’s certainly what’s been reported in the press.

COLIN BARNETT

Yeah, there’s no decision’s been made... nothing has changed.

GLENN MITCHELL

Nothing has changed at all?

COLIN BARNETT

No, at the beginning of this year because there was a whole lot of factors we put the decision on a stadium on hold for two year. That’s still the case.

GLENN MITCHELL

So what happens with the FFA bid to FIFA for the World Cup? If it’s on hold and the documentation has to be in prior to your decision in 18 months time, how can WA be included if we don’t know the path forward in regards to a major stadium

COLIN BARNETT

Glenn, we are included. We have committed to have a FIFA World Cup compliant stadium by either 2018 or 2022. Now that doesn’t mean that’s the deadline or the timeline for a new footy stadium, whichever way it’s done....but we are in that and we will have World Cup games in Perth.

GLENN MITCHELL

Can I ask though, we’ve heard John Langoulant say that the billion dollar tag has been bandied around, not just by the current Government, by a lot of people in the media and likewise but he says that it is $680million to build a stadium. That is, from the ground up, exactly what you would want as opposed to whether you could tell us whether you were quoted correctly or not that you would be spending... it would cost at least $450million for a re-grade of Subiaco Oval.

You’re talking about a $230million difference which would be broken up over four years - so say $50million out of a massive capital works budget each year. Why is there even the thought process of going for something that’s rebuilt rather than going for something that is brand new?

COLIN BARNETT

Well at the end of the day whichever option is taken, there will be a new stadium, and one of the things that has frustrated me in this debate as it’s gone on, is if a rebuilt stadium goes on the existing Subiaco site, there will not be a seat, a piece of concrete that is there today that will be there at the end of the construction. It will be entirely new on that site.

GLENN MITCHELL

But by doing that, surely that would mean that the capacity of that stadium is going to be reduced for a significant period of time, at least with the new stadium and the way it was going to be built where it would be build adjacent to Subiaco Oval, and when they moved from one ground to the other the capacity would be the same as it was at Subi and then they would fill the remainder in.

So it would be a massive inconvenience for as many as ten seasons I’d imagine if it’s going to be a gradual rebuilt.

COLIN BARNETT

Ah, no I don’t think that that’s true. There would certainly be a reduced capacity in certain seasons depending how quick each stage was done, say in four or five stages, the time gap between the stages... every stage that was completed would add to overall capacity. While a stage is under construction, yes you would lose capacity, that’s true.

GLENN MITCHELL

Have you spoken to John Langoulant lately?

COLIN BARNETT

Oh, I see John around. But look we have simply put the decision on a stadium on hold. That’s what we did and you know - I know maybe it doesn’t matter to people but I suspect most people it will matter to, and part of that decision is to build a new children’s hospital. And I’m not saying that....and people say glibly well you know, you can have both. Well you can have both over time but you can’t have both at once.

GLENN MITCHELL

Well this is something I guess that people talk to me about and in fact I spoke on the floor of the Legislative Council about three weeks ago when there was the Australian Governments Conference that was here, and I’d been approached by the Speaker of the House to talk about inner city stadiums. And I actually did a bit of research and looked at say the Melbourne situation. At the moment Melbourne is building a new children’s hospital and they also have spent $400million on the MCG, they’re about to commit between $500million and a billion dollars over the next 15 years to redo Melbourne Park.

They’ve also put a massive amount of money into along with non Government areas in building Docklands. They’ve also revamped their national… their museums. I think they might have built a new museum or art gallery there. A lot of people I guess wonder with you know the so-called wealth and productivity of this state at the moment. Forgetting in Melbourne about the new rectangular stadium which is going to seat 35,000 people as well at the MCG precinct. Why it is that a state like Victoria can do that, and as you said for us it’s got to be an either or, sort of situation?

COLIN BARNETT

Look that’s, well Victoria is a far bigger state than us.

GLENN MITCHELL

But they would have similar outlays though, wouldn’t they… to try and sustain that number of people?

COLIN BARNETT

No, their budget is far larger than Western Australia’s however, however, you know I’ve been Premier for a year. There’s a lot of things that need to be done in terms of the city. I agree, our sports facilities are way off the pace. There’s no dispute about that and earlier this week, in fact I went and looked at the skilled rectangular stadium on the Gold Coast, I thought it was fantastic. I thought they had terrific value for money in that, and that’s clearly what rugby and soccer would prefer to see. You know, they’re not interested in a 60 or 55,000 seat stadium.

So we’ve got to try and cater for all sports. Meanwhile, and I know Subi is not up to scratch- meanwhile, the games go on and the crowds come and watch the Eagles and the Dockers so it’s not as though the sport is not continuing. I look around and I see the state of rugby and soccer, and I also go down into sort of other areas like netball and the facilities there are appalling.

GLENN MITCHELL

As far as a rebuild of Subiaco Oval goes if that was to be the option, would there be a change in the Government’s outlook in regard to the governance of that venue, or would it still be allowed purely and simply to be run by the Football Commission as it is today?

COLIN BARNETT

I think that’s a separate issue, whichever way it’s done.

GLENN MITCHELL

It’s a fairly significant one isn’t it, because if the Western Force or the rugby wants to play there, an international or a soccer match wants to be played there, an international and it’s up to the Football Commission to decide the availability and how much they’re going to rent it out for if you like, when the Government may have put $450million into it and one sport governs it. I would have thought it’s a very significant issue.

COLIN BARNETT

Well if the Government puts hundreds of millions of dollars into a stadium, the true issue is who manages it is a physical sense. I don’t have a particular objection to the Football Commission doing that, but obviously there would be a renegotiation of the arrangements so that other sports do get fair access when they’ve got, for example as you say an international rugby game or an international or world cup soccer games.

We’re not going to put in large amounts of taxpayer’s money without allowing those other sports for those big events to be properly catered for. And the other thing, of course we’d be looking for is opportunities for people who are not Eagles or Dockers members to be also go and see a game. A greater area of public allocated on a weekly basis seating, and I think that’s what a lot of people want and that’s important in any consideration. That’s a capacity factor, obviously too.

GLENN MITCHELL

So at this point in time, we’re 18 months away from a decision. Do you think there will be a firm decision in 18 months or there’ll be another deferral period?

COLIN BARNETT

No, I would hope we would be able to make that decision. That’s... I’m counting on the West Australian economy picking up and I mean it is, but it’s also slow to pick up in terms of revenue to the state, and if we can do that, that’s something we’re very keen to make that decision and get that project underway.

GLENN MITCHELL

So we would be talking either way perhaps of seven years from now in regard to a significant increase, either a new stadium or a significantly increased Subiaco Oval?

COLIN BARNETT

Well if it’s a rebuild on the existing site, then it’s probably going to start at the western end and you would see that three tier stand knocked over and a whole lot of infrastructure around there and a large section, maybe a fifth or a quarter of the oval rebuilt. That… as soon as that’s completed then the capacity would be above what it is now. And then there’d probably be a delay and then there’d be another section knocked over a rebuilt. So it’d be a stage reconstruction, but it would be… when completed it would be an entirely new stadium... entirely new, with the best of facilities.

Now if Australia was successful in getting the World Cup for 2018, obviously we’re going to have to it completed well before that date and I expect that’s probably a reasonable time line in any case.

GLENN MITCHELL

Just finally Premier and I know you’re saying you haven’t made a decision but just getting back to the figures I gave at the beginning from John Langoulant. If we’re talking about $680million - and say you’ve said it’s going to be at least $450million, let’s say we cut it off at $500million. It’s a difference of $180million over four years in regard to having something from the ground up where there’s no interference in crowd capacity while it’s being built and its going to be $45million a year out of a multibillion dollar capital budget.

Why... why would we consider the inconvenience or you know rebuilding an old house rather than having something that is brand new?

COLIN BARNETT

Well there’s a couple of hundred million dollars of other infrastructure that needs to go with an entirely new stadium on a new site.

GLENN MITCHELL

But wouldn’t it have to go with a totally revamped Subiaco if you’re building it to capacity?

COLIN BARNETT

Subiaco’s got a lot of existing infrastructure, not the stuff you see but the stuff that’s there servicing the crowd and servicing the facility.

GLENN MITCHELL

But that won’t… but if you’re having a total rebuild as you say that will disappear in each section of the ground?

COLIN BARNETT

No, no, no it won’t. You just knock the ground... I mean you’d knock eventually knock the whole stadium over and rebuild it, including the playing surface would probably change. So look, they’re the two options and there’s a big difference though Glenn in being able to actually build stages as you can afford them and bringing up the facilities progressively, and simply saying well here’s you know... $800 or billion whatever figure people want to argue about, it’s going to be around a billion dollars.

GLENN MITCHELL

Well $680 according to John Langoulant.

COLIN BARNETT

No, no that’s just the stadium. I mean you need things like running water and all the rest of it…. go with it…

GLENN MITCHELL

… no, no what he was talking about were other... I mean one of the things now when major stadia are built, you have underground car parking and everything like that, those sorts of facilities....

COLIN BARNETT

… all of that which adds hugely to the cost and you know, you can do all that but it means you’ve just got to put that money out cold for four or five years and that is a huge burden on the state, and that’s very difficult to manage that and a whole lot of other big projects happening in Western Australia. So we’ve just got to make choices. I know footy fans would love to see that. I’m a footy fan, I’d love to see it too. But I just have to make some decisions and we will...we’ve put off that decision basically until the budget of 2011.

GLENN MITCHELL

Okay, thank you for ringing in, and good luck with your… I think you must be renovating if you’re going to a hardware store…

COLIN BARNETT

… no, cutting trees down…

GLENN MITCHELL

… oh, that’s alright. Don’t give the name again, whatever you do Mr Premier. Thanks for ringing the program. The Premier of Western Australia, Colin Barnett joining us on Sports Talk.

ends.

Work looks like its going on at ME Bank Stadium today on the floodlights - probably the changes required for Super 14. Also work appears to have finished in the corner closest to the Loton Park Tennis Courts (in front of the big screen). Don't know exactly what was done but some excavation and concreting - probably a few rows of permenant seating in front of the grass hill.

The WA government must think FIFA are fools... Subiaco is a pathetic ground even for AFL standards and would be no better for rectangular sports like soccer and rugby union. a 60,000 seat MES would be fine which would be reduced to 30,000 after the cup but have the provision to be expanded, ie the room for temp seating to make it 60,000 for any future major event like a concert or wallabies/socceroos/afl international rules matches.