Perth Arena to revive basketball in Western Australia

Perth Wildcats owner Jack Bendat is confident that the new Perth Arena will resurrect the halcyon days of 1990s basketball in Western Australia.

During a recent tour of the venue, due to be opened in May next year, Dr Bendat said he expected the Wildcats' tenancy of the venue "will mean we'll have 10,000 people screaming, all wearing red and it will change the atmosphere of basketball.

"We will fill up this stadium with 10,000 people because we're a clean sport, we put on a good show and we have a following of three to four thousand people now."

The Wildcats are one of two primary tenants of the venue, along with tennis tournament the Hopman Cup. When complete the main arena floor will have a tennis court installed with a temporary basketball court placed on top of the tennis surface for Wildcat's games.

Although much delayed, construction milestones are being reach as the 14,000-seat venue moves towards its opening in May next year.

The Arena's corporate suites were recently unveiled by Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron and Treasurer Christian Porter, with Minister Waldron stating telling local media "suite size capacities vary from 10 to 32 people, with 26 hospitality suites on two levels. These offer a total capacity for 540, who will enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the event floor and bowl from their seats."

Dr. Jack Bendat is a member of the Board of Basketball Australia.