A Grand Plan for Subiaco

The Western Australian Football Commission has released a master plan that will see Subiaco Oval reach a capacity of 60,000 people with the creation of a third tier around the majority of the ground. The catch is that this will only be achieved with governmental funding with the WAFC committed to servicing the debt from the previous redevelopment.

The WAFC are currently sorting out the finer details of the master plan. While CEO of WAFC Wayne Bradshaw made it clear that the main aim was to reduce the debt from the last redevelopment. "The WAFC is committed to reducing our current debt and the additional capacity for Subiaco Oval is a master plan concept only."

Bradshaw released to austadiums.com that a 60,000 seat stadium will result in a major change to the makeup of the ground. "The increased capacity is achieved by the creation of a third tier." While Bradshaw explained that the ANZ stand will remain as it is. "In this area we are restricted by the boundary and the R codes that apply to residential properties (shadowing etc)."

Bradshaw believes it is integral for further redevelopment of Subiaco Oval within the next few years. "I think it is appropriate to plan for a bigger stadium and evaluate the need for construction over the next few years. We are experiencing a high demand at the moment, largely due to the success of the AFL teams."

In the immediate future Bradshaw said that the people of Western Australia can expect a stadium increase of 3000. "My feeling is that it will be necessary for an increase in capacity to 46,000 in the near future, with further increases subject to demand... and would require funding assistance."

Bradshaw recommitted that this was only a plan and that a 60,000 seat stadium for Perth was a long way down the track. "I do not believe that a 60,000 seat stadium is justified in the near future...until there is a recommendation I do not believe major redevelopment should occur".

While the future of cricket and football coming together is to be decided by a taskforce. "There is a task force evaluating the feasibility of a future site that may be used by cricket and football in the next 15-20 years".

The master plan for Subiaco should result in a world class venue for the people of Western Australia and would consign Subiaco Oval to become the third largest stadium in the nation.