Interview with Ron Alexander, director general – department of sport and entertainment and Co-Chair of the Perth stadium steering committee
In this newest industry interview, Katie McIntyre discusses the new Perth stadium project with Ron Alexander, director general – department of sport and entertainment and Co-Chair of the Perth stadium steering Committee; the department of sport and entertainment is the client agency for the Perth stadium project.
What were the main drivers for the new Perth Stadium?
A state government major Stadia Taskforce issued a report in 2007 that identified that Western Australia’s existing cricket and AFL stadia no longer met the needs of their respective sports or advocates plus the respective venues lay dormant in the off-season months.
The Taskforce also identified that Western Australia was at a distinct disadvantage when competing against other cities to host major international and national events and the cost to upgrade existing stadia was not viable. The result of this comprehensive research was the recommendation for the state government to build a new 60,000-seat multi-purpose stadium – Perth Stadium.
The project team recognized nine user Groups, which were consulted throughout the planning process, to identify the essential aspirations for the project ensuring the stadium is an asset that all Western Australians are happy of.
The stakeholders recognised that the stadium ought to reflect Perth’s distinct culture and history and above all, the need to put fans first in the planning and delivery of the Stadium. As a result of this consultation five aspirations for the project were agreed:
Cater for the fans using the stadium by taking a “fan-first” method to planning and design to create an exceptional event atmosphere
Perth stadium will transform the Burswood Peninsula and create a spectacular gateway to the City
Together with other major development jobs in Perth, Perth stadium will enhance Perth’s credibility as a world-class destination
The fan experience will be enhanced through the provision of an improved and integrated public transfer system comprising upgrades to road, rail, bus and pedestrian services to allow maximum public transfer usage
Project management for the stadium will focus on sound planning and strong contract management to achieve the best value for money and deliver a world-class stadium on time and within the authorized budget
How did you set about choosing the best design and construction team to deliver the project?
The Perth stadium project team undertook a year of planning in 2011, which involved a benchmarking investigation of stadia both domestically and internationally, including MetLife Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys and Yankee Stadiums in addition to all the major stadia across Australia.
The project definition plan was then recognized comprising a Master Plan, a two-staged procurement strategy, a Camiseta Selección de fútbol de Portugal time program to deliver the stadium by the target date, a cost plan, and a governance structure for the design and build phase as well as the operating phase.
The Design, Build, finance and maintain (DBFM) procurement model selected for the project was considered as the structure many likely to maximise value-for-money for the Western Australian state government and taxpayer, and deliver on the project aspirations. The model is well understood by the market, provided competitive responses and prices plus incorporated a robust maintenance program over a 25-year operating period.
Following comprehensive consultation with the project’s nine user Groups, the request for proposal documentation was recognized and issued to market.
In April 2013, three consortia were shortlisted to design, build, partially finance and maintain Perth stadium and the surrounding stadium Park.
Following the seven-month interactive tender process, a rigorous assessment process and a three-month negotiation phase, the Westadium consortium was selected as the successful bidder for the DBFM contract with their design revealed in July 2014.
Westadium’s design successfully met the State’s requirements for a world-class, multi-purpose stadium within a parkland setting and did so with a uniquely Western Australian focus.
Perth stadium and sports Precinct & Swan River Pedestrian bridge: Design, procurement and construction of the Perth stadium and surrounding stadium Park is 75% complete and on schedule to open for the start of the 2018 AFL season.
As you mentioned, the new Perth stadium has been described as having an innovative ‘fans first’ design and approach. Can you tell us much more about this?
The design of the Perth stadium and surrounding stadium Park is a testament to the long-term aspiration of creating a ‘fans first’ venue.
Throughout the planning and design phase, the priority was to put the needs of the fans first and the development of the sports fans user group in early 2013 is testament to this. Thirty West Australian fans, covering a broad range of demographics and sports were selected from a field of 450 applicants to be members of the user group to offer ongoing guidance relating to the fan experience during events.
Using their experiences from attending events at other stadia, the group highlighted the need for wider concourses, a larger number of food and beverage outlets and toilets to decrease queuing and wait times, cup holders in seats and a need for a consistent connection to the field of play – all of which have been provided in the Perth stadium design. They also offered feedback on the public transfer service and their vision for the parkland that surrounds the Stadium.
The Perth stadium project team has also consulted with an access and Inclusion user Group, which includes individuals who require higher levels of universal access (IRUA). guidance from this group has ensured Perth stadium will be one of the best in Australia for fans with a impairment and/or special access requirements. particular IRUA features include:
Wheelchair positions on all levels with flexible seats for carers and guests, accommodating groups of all sizes
The incorporation of over 70 universal accessible Toilets (UAT) across all five levels of the Stadium, plus three changing places toilets – the first venue in Australia to have much more than one
Nine times much more permanent ACROD bays than required Camiseta Borussia Monchengladbach (2013 national construction code)
360-degree circulation on general admission levels
The other seven user groups were recognized with agents from all the major sporting codes, emergency services, media, stadium operations and events personnel. Each one has offered ongoing guidance on particular operational requirements for Perth stadium and the surrounding stadium Park.
Recognising Aboriginal heritage and the cultural importance of the site has also been very important. The Whadjuk working party was the prime point of liaison with the local Noongar community; their role was to offer input into essential design elements such as the Swan River Pedestrian Bridge and the Precinct public art program.
Can you offer our readers with an update as to how the project progressing?
Design, procurement and construction of the Perth stadium and surrounding stadium Park is 75% complete and on schedule to open for the start of the 2018 Australian guidelines Football league (AFL) season.
There are roughly 1,000 workers currently on site, which is expected to top at over 1,200 in the coming months. The three-year construction period will involve much more than 5,800 workers.
Construction of the stadium is progressing well, with 100% of steel to create the stadium frame installed, all 50 roofing system trusses erected and the main roofing system fabric panels installed.
Installation of the Stadium’s anodised aluminium façade is 99% complete and is nearing completion at the eastern end. Over half of the stadium seats have been attached to the concrete seating platforms and are wrapped in plastic to guarantee they are secured until the opening in 2018.
Site works are well underway to prepare the playing surface for the rollout of the turf. Drainage, irrigation systems, conduits and other below ground equipment are currently being installed, which will be completed by mid-2017 and then turf installation will commence.
17,000m2 of stabilised natural turf will be installed at Perth stadium in mid-2017, which combines a natural couch turf mixed with rye and artificial grass. This combination offers exceptional stability, resilience and a flat playing surface.
Construction of the Perth stadium Rail station is 90% complete and on schedule to be completed in late-2017 ahead of a comprehensive commission and testing phase.
The Swan River Pedestrian Bridge works is 40% complete and once complete will connect east Perth with the Burswood Peninsula.
What hero products, solutions &/or efforts will you be employing in the new Stadium?
Building information Modelling (BIM) has been a advantageous tool for the design and construction phase of the project and will assist in the ongoing maintenance.
The project will be one of the first in Australia to be provided at level of development (LOD) 500, implying a complete as-built BIM model of the stadium will be handed over to the facilities management team at the end of construction in late 2017.
BIM has already shown its benefits in the design and construction phase, with clash detection, design reviews, and shop drawing evaluations carried out within the model. This process enabled the project team to clearly see and resolve problems in 3D before construction commenced.
From a stakeholder perspective, BIM enabled the project team to share proposed video camera positioning with the Media user group to identify any potential sightline issues – well ahead of the Stadium’s opening.
Importantly, the sports fans user group has also been able to ‘virtually travel’ from public transfer hubs surrounding the Stadium, through the ticket gates and into particular areas of the Stadium, allowing potential issues and enhancements to be identified.
The state-of-the-art BIM model allows the entire project to communicate and work from a single point of information, maximising efficiencies in construction and operations.
With regards to the stadium itself, Perth stadium will have the widest range of seating options for fans from general Admission through to top end premium products and will include Australia’s first purpose developed Locker room and Coaches Room, as well as conventional ‘premium (corporate) suites.’
The Locker room provides a distinct fan experience at pitch level. With the ability to view the home team warm up, view the game at the same level as the players and view the post-match media conference. This will really be a fantastic experience for any dedicated fan.
The Coaches room is located in the centre of the northern wing of level three, flanked by the two home team coaches’ boxes, and will offer a distinct experience for 60 fanatical fans. depending upon the willingness of the coach, sound can be projected from the coaches’ box into the Coaches Room, giving patrons an unrivalled insight into the game and the tactics the coaches employ.
There are 95 premium Suites located on both sides of the stadium at levels three and four and for the fans that want a special ‘ground level’ experience, there are another six suites at event Level, best next to the Locker Room.
A multi-purpose function Centre, named The Riverview Room, is located within the stadium on level three and is developed to offer views across the Swan River to the Perth CBD. A total of three Riverview rooms can operate separately or combined, accommodating either 500 people in each, 1,000 patrons across two rooms or a total of 1,500 people across one linked space.
There are also several Club Lounges and premium Terraces, plus an a la carte and a buffet restaurant, located adjacent to the western entrance, which offer a destination for patrons both pre and post-game, as well as on non-event days.
The incorporation of cutting-edge stadium technology that caters for future trends is also a essential initiative for the project.
Perth stadium includes Wi-Fi access across all parts of the Stadium, two 340m2 huge video screens – the largest stadium screens in the southern hemisphere, and 1,000 TV screens located throughout the interior of the Stadium – so fans don’t miss any of the action. The procurement of these items was delayed until 2016 to guarantee the stadium includes the most advanced technology when it opens in early 2018.
What role will sustainability/green issues play in the new stadium?
Perth stadium is registered for a ‘Green star – design & As Built’ rating, targeting a 4-star green star rating.
A green star project is one that has been certified under the green building Council of Australia (GBCA)’s green star rating system for its decreased environmental impact.
To achieve this certification, several environmental considerations Camiseta Boca Juniors have been considered in the stadium design.
The lightweight fabric used for the Stadium’s roofing system not only covers 85% of seats, the most of any ‘open’ stadium in Australia, but also naturally ventilates the Stadium, reducing energy usage.
15,000 LED lights will be used throughout the entire stadium and surrounding stadium Park to minimise energy usage.
The retention of existing vegetation plus the planting of water wise local flora will offer wind and shade protection, inspired by the native six seasons.
The state Government’s public transfer technique will also decrease the impact on the environment with rail, bus and pedestrian solutions able to safely and efficiently transfer 83% of a capacity crowd (60,000) within one hour of an event finishing.
The additional 600 bike racks and path network around the stadium Park will offer flexibility and encourage