Athletics still hopeful of a venue for the southern corridor of Perth

Athletics WA has confirmed that discussions are ongoing for the development of a regional facility in the southern corridor.

Discussions are ongoing with the City of Rockingham and the Department of Sport and Recreation upon the outcome of the development of a facility in the Lark Hill Precinct, although it would not be in Stage 1 of the development.

The Manager of Recreational Services in the City of Rockingham Garry Rogers said it was not looked at as a Stage 1 project, but something that could be developed into the future, on the proviso that significant state capital was injected.

"What's happened we had discussions with Athletics WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation...we have looked at the concept of an athletics facility but it was never formally looked into as a Stage 1 development" 

"It would require significant capital injection from the state, because of the prohibitive costs of building an athletics track".

"We'd like to attract a regional development of an athletics facility in the region, depending on the capital injection that could be utilised".

Wayne Loxley, the CEO of Athletics WA, discussed the ten year plan for Athletics in this state, with two regional venues, one in the north and south. He said that the Athletics facility in the south has not got to the stage of whether funding is or isn't going to happen.

"It hasn't gone to the formal stage of whether there is funding or not"

"It's being discussed, arranged with the City of Rockingham to look at possibilities that process is still developing".

While Wayne Loxley was confident that they would eventually get two regional venues, despite issues in the northern suburbs in regards to land availability, which would probably mean the Southern Corridor venue would be built first.

"We are desperately in need of a regional facility...we are in crying need for the regional options"

"Well they have agreed to a need (State Government), the land availability in the north is the problem".

Loxley also proudly lauded the new AK Reserve will be built by early 2009 and where very impressed with the sort of facility that they have planned at the venue.

"We have been very impressed with the sorts of submissions that the State Government has shown us on the stadium and the venue...including the fact that the venue now has lights so we can perform competitions in night, which is ideal for our operations".

While Loxley confirmed that they would look into the future to bring an international event to the shores of Perth, depending upon the support from Athletics Australia and the IAAF.