Members Equity Stadium set for Glory
The transformation of Perth Oval to Members Equity Stadium is all but complete, ready for Perth Glory's first game on December 27th.
Perth Oval has long been the home of WAFL club West Perth. When Perth Glory entered the National Soccer League in 1996, the club made a bold move to play their home games at the Oval. The move paid off with big crowds in attendance. The AFL ground was configured into a rectangular Soccer venue by placing the pitch in one corner of the ground, near the main grandstand and 'the shed'. The other two sides were surrounded by temporary grandstands. Although smaller in its early days, the ground capacity eventually reached about 18,000.
The ground is now surrounded by a permanent tier of seating. The temporary eastern stand has been rebuilt in the same position above the new permanent tier. A new temporary southern stand has also been built above the permanent seating. A new shed has been constructed in a similar position, although much smaller than its predecessor.
The 12 million dollar venue will be a key in attracting future soccer and rugby events to the city of Perth. Members Equity Stadium will become a hub of activity on match day as the fans stroll along the Morton Bay Fig lined streets into the venue that has a new beginning as the premier soccer venue in Western Australia.
The Ground is situated only a five-minute walk to Claisebrook Train Station. Although this is important, the design of the stadium has been of ultimate success in the 12 million dollar upgrade of the stadium. A design which will allow all Glory supporters to witness the game in comfort, which was not always possible when the venue was designed in the AFL configuration, which did create some problems when a large crowd was in attendance.
Members Equity Stadium will be a part of Western Australian folklore for an eternity - from the East Perth football club to the Perth Glory soccer club. It has, and will become a place for Everlasting Glory. December 27th 2003 will become a date resigned to history as a new leaf is turned in the development of soccer in Western Australia.
