New Multiplex stadium plan
Multiplex has revived plans to build a new indoor stadium next to the State Tennis Centre at Burswood in a bid to secure a $50 million WA Government contribution for a replacement venue for the Hopman Cup.
The West Australian has confirmed that the confidential State Tennis Centre proposal is the third bid received by the Government to build the new 12,000-seat stadium - which must be capable of staging the Hopman Cup and events such as basketball, netball, world BMX titles and indoor concerts.
Multiplex has lodged a separate bid to redevelop the Perth Entertainment Centre, while the Royal Agricultural Society wants to build the stadium at Claremont Showground.
The Government has offered $50 million towards the cost of the stadium, but wants no ongoing financial or management role in the project.
The stadium is required because the Entertainment Centre has been mothballed by owner Kerry Stokes' Seven Network and the loss-making Burswood Dome is expected to be demolished after it hosts its last contracted Hopman Cup in 2007.
Accentuating the problem is that the Dome will not be able to host more rock concerts after singer Delta Goodrem performs next July because of undertakings to people moving into the neighbouring $700 million Burswood Peninsula apartments.
While Multiplex refused to comment on its State Tennis Centre proposal yesterday, it is understood the construction giant believes it can soundproof the new stadium enough to ensure it did not breach any noise restrictions.
Ironically, the Burswood Peninsula development is being undertaken by the Kerry Packer-controlled Burswood and developer Mirvac Fini, which is backing the Royal Agricultural Society in its rival Claremont Showground bid.
The proposal to move the Hopman Cup to a new stadium built next to the $5 million State Tennis Centre was raised three years ago by tournament director Paul McNamee, who estimated such a venue would cost about $50 million.
One of the biggest problems the three proposals vying for the Government's $50 million offer have to overcome is how to operate the stadium profitably once it is built.
While building costs on reclaimed land at Burswood could be inhibitive, the State Tennis Centre option has advantages in being close to the freeway, a railway station and Burswood's hotel and golf course. Tennis West has a 50-year lease on the land with the Burswood Park Board.
