FOOTBALL is set to stay at Subiaco – just with a new cast of young local faces.
With the deal officially done to move AFL to Perth Stadium in 2018, plans for Subiaco Oval and Kitchener Park are back in the spotlight, with City of Subiaco determined to give space to young up and coming players.
Mayor Penny Taylor said local playing fields were packed to capacity on weekends, with spaces like Rosalie Park full to the brim.
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READ NOW“There’s no question Subiaco Oval gave a profile to Subiaco, but people are more affected by local sport than elite sport,” Ms Taylor said.
“Footy was 20 days of the year.”
The Subiaco mayor said while the redevelopment was being managed by the State Government, the City would push for the local community to be represented in discussions, with issues like existing overcrowding at sports fields on the table.
“The playing area will have public use with playing fields to help with the high rate of kids in sports locally,” Ms Taylor said.
“Any space like that would get used because we’re overflowing in other areas.”
Subiaco chief executive Don Burnett said as well as catering to the local sports demand, opening up the area would enable everyone in the community to get hands on with the space.
“It goes from being an exclusive place to somewhere where people can go down and touch the grass, use it and walk on it,” Mr Burnett said.
Along with opening up the space to the public, the City is still keen to keep the historical football tie of more than a century strong by maintaining the WA Football Commission’s presence in the area.
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