Perth Stadium to miss out on corporate facilties?

The new $82.5 million eastern stand at Perth's rectangular stadium may be built without corporate boxes, limiting the capacity of the cash-strapped Western Force rugby team to maximise revenue.

The Western Australian Government is involved in protracted negotiations with the Town of Vincent over a long-term lease for nib Stadium in East Perth, with price and management structure the sticking points.

A report in The West Australian newspaper suggests that the council is seeking at least $200,000 from the State Government in return for handing over control of the venue.

Negotiations have been complicated by Vincent having contracted the day-to-day management of nib Stadium to Allia Venue Management â a deal has 13 years to run.

The West Australian indicates that the WA Department of Sport and Recreation would prefer the venue to come under the umbrella of VenuesWest, which manages State sporting facilities, including Kwinana Motorplex, Challenge Stadium and the new athletics and basketball stadiums in Mt Claremont.

The WA Government included $82.5 million in the May Budget to build the eastern stand but it wants to control the process, including the design.

Vincent mayor Nick Catania has claimed the council, which already has detailed redevelopment plans drawn up by sport architect Peter Hunt, could build a stand including corporate boxes for $75 million.

WA Sport Minister Terry Waldron said on Monday that the WA Government had not decided if corporate boxes would be included in the final design but there was room in the budget to do so. Despite the drawn-out negotiations, they were "in good shape", according to the Minister.

nib Stadium's major tenants, Perth Glory and the Force, have been invited to submit a wish list to the department. It is believed extra corporate facilities are a priority for the Western Force, which spent $3 million on temporary improvements to the ground after deciding to switch home matches from Subiaco Oval last season.

Glory owner Tony Sage said he was quite happy with the existing level of corporate facilities and was more concerned about getting covered seating for fans.

Allia Venue Management, owned by former Glory owner Nick Tana said it had not been contacted by the Government about its management of the venue or discussed the issue of a possible buyout of its contract, Tana explaining "as far as we're concerned it's business as usual."

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