Perth Glory looking at a move to Perth Hockey Stadium

[DIEHARD]

Perth Glory looking at a move to Perth Hockey Stadium

PERTH Glory could soon abandon their home at the city's nib Stadium and move to the Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University.

The A-League side is exploring the possible relocation to the hockey ground in a move which would also see them become the first team in its code to play on a synthetic surface.

PerthNow can reveal that several members of soccer’s hierarchy, including Glory owner Tony Sage and CEO Paul Kelly, have visited the Curtin University fields on a number of occasions to discuss a move.

A-League games could be played there as early as the 2011-12 season.

It is believed that only minor changes would be needed to the arena.

But the initial outlay to convert the stadium would be more than made back within a couple of seasons.

PerthNow believes the Glory would pay around $50,000 a game if it moved to the Hockey Stadium, which is less than half of its costs to operate at nib stadium.

Cement walls on two of the boundaries of the playing surface would need to be moved 2m each and a grand stand erected on the outer side of the arena.

This stand would seat 7000, which when added to the 1000 seats already there and the 2000 that would be able to stand or sit on grass, would take capacity to the required 10,000.

Initial plans already are in place for a terraced 'hill’ to be developed.

The Glory is also exploring surface options and a drop-in pitch is almost certain.

Hockey is played on a turf with a pile of 19mm, while a soccer pitch is required to be at 65mm.

If a drop-in synthetic pitch was developed, it would be able to remain in place for the duration of the A-League season.

If a drop-in grass pitch was used, it would need to be taken in and out between games, to protect both the turf underneath and to maintain the drop-in one.

It is likely the Glory would have limited access to training time on the surface, but has already looked at suitable alternatives between games.

Hockey WA would stand to benefit financially by having a joint tenant at the venue.

As well as paying WA state league games there, Australia’s national sides are based there, as well as the WAIS hockey program.

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