Future Perth chairman Sean Morrison outside the Perth Arena .
Camera IconFuture Perth chairman Sean Morrison outside the Perth Arena . Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Perth arena streets ahead

Anne Gartner, Guardian ExpressEastern Reporter

Mr Morrison said the number of people attending the venue, which opened a year ago, had also highlighted the need for more hospitality venues towards the western end of the city.

‘The stream of people has shown how badly in need Wellington Street is of an upgrade,’ he said.

‘A lot of properties on Wellington Street are ripe for redevelopment as apartments of offices.

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‘The venue has also exposed the lack of hospitality venues around that part of town. I would expect more than a few venues to pop up as operators realise the massive latent demand for pubs, restaurants and small bars in that area.’

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the popularity of the arena was most evident in the basketball season . The Perth Wildcats will play their first game of the new season on October 11.

‘The arena energy is most noticeable in summer when the City’s malls, cafes, small bars and public spaces fill up with Wildcat supporters,’ she said.

She said the Twilight Hawker Markets in Forrest Place, which run on Friday nights starting October 18, laneway activation, extended trading hours and revitalised city spaces all catered for event patrons.

The City of Perth is also hosting a street ball competition to mark the start of the basketball season.

Mr Morrison said the success of the arena had already brought benefits to businesses in the city.

‘Instead of stumbling around a car park in Burswood, patrons are wining and dining and wandering the city streets,’ he said.

Mr Morrison said Perth Arena would also benefit from the completion of the Northbridge City Link project.