$75m facelift planned for Members Equity Stadium

The capacity of Members Equity Stadium will increase from 18,000 to 25,000 if the State Government accepts a $75 million redevelopment proposal for Perth's only major rectangular arena.

The Town of Vincent last night unveiled plans for a three-tier grandstand on the eastern side of the ground to meet the needs of Super 14 rugby team the Western Force.

The Force will play at Subiaco Oval for the last time this year before moving to Members Equity Stadium, even though it is too small for the expected crowds and does not have the corporate, media and support facilities necessary for Super 14 rugby.

RugbyWA officials are desperate to have Members Equity Stadium upgraded to secure the future of the Force in Perth, particularly with the Victorian Government forging ahead with a $275 million rectangular stadium in Melbourne and likely to pursue aggressively a Super 14 franchise. The Force would like building to start in 2011 or 2012.

The redevelopment is centred on a new 7500-seat grandstand which can be configured to include up to 35 corporate boxes vital to the viability of a professional sports franchise.

The State Opposition is pushing the Federal Government to help fund a new $1.1 billion Subiaco stadium in a bid to stimulate the economy when a predicted downturn hits WA in two years.

Shadow sport and recreation minister Ken Travers appealed to the Rudd Government to consider funding for the 60,000-seat stadium, which has been left in limbo by a State Government review of projects. The Federal Government previously ruled out a contribution.

Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron yesterday supported Mr Travers' bid for Federal funding.

A full-house of over 18,000 fans turned up at the stadium Friday night for a Super 14 trial game - the largest crowd at the venue since its redevelopment.