Sage spits dummy over stadium upgrade
Perth Glory owner Tony Sage says the $95.14 million redevelopment of nib Stadium could force the A-League team to find somewhere else to play because the upgrade is due to almost halve the facility’s capacity in the coming season.
Mr Sage said they were looking at moving games to the Burswood Dome and playing undercover, provided the venue was not due to be demolished in the next couple of years.
Burswood Dome was first flagged as a possible home for the Glory in 2007 while the owners were negotiating terms over staying at nib Stadium.
“They’re telling us now that we’re only going to have 9000 (capacity), of which only four and a half or 5000 are seated,” Mr Sage told 6PR.
“That means 5000 have got to stand up.
“There is the alternative – we’ll never play there again.”
Mr Sage said construction should have begun months ago or been left until the end of the season.
“We’ve been the anchor tenant there since 1996,” he said.
“For them to come and destroy our entire season, and not impact on rugby who only play seven games a year there, is just an absolute farce.”
At completion of the first stage of the upgrade, which includes replacing all temporary sections of the facility, the stadium will have a capacity of about 20,500 people.
It currently has a capacity of 18,000, but during the 2012-2013 A-League season it will operate with a reduced capacity of about 9500 people due to construction.
The first stage of the redevelopment is expected to be completed in time for the Western Force’s first home game for the 2013 Super Rugby season.
BGC Construction has been awarded the head construction contract following an expression of interest and tender process.
Works will begin on July 2 after the last home game of the 2012 Super Rugby season.
Major construction works are expected to be completed in March next year.
Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron said he was pleased a new permanent southern stand and seating of the northern bowl could also be achieved within the project budget.
“This is a fantastic result for our rectangular sporting codes as the redevelopment will provide a huge boost to the stadium amenity and, in turn, will provide a much better spectator experience,” Mr Waldron said.
The upgrade will include a covered eastern grandstand, a new uncovered southern stand, new food and beverage and toilet facilities, a 250-seat barbecue terrace and seating for about 420 patrons in open corporate boxes.
The stadium will also get two large video replay boards, a new PA system, a CCTV surveillance system and new pitch lighting.
A new playing surface will be installed between July and October next year.
