Refurbished Subiaco Oval ready to welcome students

Students at Bob Hawke College, a public high school situated in Subiaco, Western Australia will be the first to have access to the newly refurbished Subiaco Oval when the school term commences this week.

The playing grounds will open to the broader community in coming weeks.

The historic playing surface has been reinstated and features AFL-size goal posts and new flood lighting for night events.

With the new Bob Hawke College abutting Subiaco Oval, Year 7 students - the first intake year for the school - will be able to utilise the full extent of the Oval for physical education and outdoor classes, greatly expanding on the space in the oval grounds which had been available to them during Term One.

Western Australia Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery noted "students at Bob Hawke College will make history this week as the first to stretch their legs on the new Subiaco Oval.

"This is a wonderful recreational space to match the world-class, modern facilities at the new College.

"As students across Western Australia return to school on Wednesday, we encourage them to use their school's open spaces and ovals to enjoy some time outdoors.

"I have no doubt that many sporting memories will be made at the new Subiaco Oval and students will long remember the opportunity to be the first to use this special ground."

Western Australia Planning Minister Rita Saffioti added "we are delighted the oval will be back in action for the start of the new school term.

Restoration works to the heritage listed Subiaco Oval entry gates are well underway, and with temporary landscaping around the oval now bedded in, the oval should be open to the public over the next few weeks.

The temporary landscaping work, including irrigation, garden beds and shrubs, grassed areas and the reinstatement of the original dug outs and 250 original wooden grandstand seats, has been installed for the enjoyment of the community while Master Planning of the Subi East precinct takes shape.

The final landscape plan for the area will be informed through the Master Planning Process, which provides the "road map" for how the area will be developed over the coming years.

The Subi East Redevelopment project is transforming a total of 35 hectares of land to create a vibrant north-eastern gateway to Subiaco, delivering a highly desirable inner-city village designed for multi-generational community living with spaces for thousands of people to live, learn, work and play.

Located near the Perth CBD, the area is rich in history and a guiding principle for development has been to engage with the community to ensure the Master Plan respects and reflects the heritage and cultural values that hold a special place in the hearts of many Western Australians.

The project area includes Subiaco Oval, the new Bob Hawke College, the West Leederville Train Station reserve (south of the line), Mueller Park (to remain public open space) and the site of the former Princess Margaret Hospital.

Minister Saffioti also enthused "for generations this oval has been at the very heart of the Subiaco community and its return will be welcome by all.

"The playing surface looks wonderful and the landscaping work means the new oval is ready for students to give it a work-out.

"This is an important milestone in the Subi East redevelopment and while the students will be the first to enjoy the new playing surface, we are looking forward to returning Subiaco Oval to the local community in the weeks ahead."

For more information visit http://www.developmentwa.com.au/SubiEast

Image: Artist Impression of Subi East Redevelopment project