PerthNorg

The master plan is in

Plans for a multi-purpose 60,000 seat stadium have been unveiled by the State Government’s Stadium Taskforce today.

The concept drawings look amazing and I don’t want to detract from all the thought that has gone into the planning, but I think most of Perth will settle for just about anything out of desperation.

Five different stadium options were considered by the taskforce, with their final recommendation a "60,000 seat multi-use stadium hosting AFL, Super 14 rugby and international cricket, rugby and soccer events incorporating a 22,000 seat reconfigurable lower tier of seating." The stadium size can be increased to 70,000 in the future.

I like the idea that the stadium can cater for a number of sports codes, but it also means that it needs WAFC backing as football will be one of the major users of the stadium.

This means that WAFC will have no control over the ground on which it’s sport is played and could be a possible sticking point, but here’s hoping they come to the party. There proposal to fix  up Subiaco Oval was considered a bandaid job by the taskforce after all. I find Subiaco a nightmare during the football season as it is and this would just be adding to that pressure.

I know Subiaco is the "heart of football" but I think the thought of a new stadium might be enough to convert even the biggest nay sayers. Part of the proposal would see the stadium lit in team colours for home games.

You can watch a video put together by the taskforce here.

The final recommendation on where the stadium will be hosted is undecided with the taskforce’s equal preferred options were Kitchener Park or East Perth.

Burswood was discounted because of the cost, questions about soil stability and limited transport options. No costings were provided by the WACA so that was not accounted for.

According to The West, “the completion costs of the stadium if built at Kitchener Park would be $849 million, a similar figure to the East Perth proposal - costed at $821 million.” It is proposed the stadium be completed in the next four to eight years.

It’s exciting to look at the pictures, but it’s early days yet and while the decision remains the Government’s I hope the Taskforces' failure to identify a preferred site doesn’t drag out the process any further.

We need a stadium and we need it now, East Perth or Kitchener Park – does it really matter?

To read the full report go here

Source: http://myskitch.com/bronwen/tsatc_volume_1_sites.pdf-2007052…