Australia’s latest state-of-the-art venue, Perth Stadium, has celebrated a major milestone this week with the installation of its synthetic turf playing service.
The field has been designed and constructed by HG Sports Turf. According to The West Australian newspaper, some 18,000sqm of grass will be installed at the 60,000-seat stadium, which is scheduled to open early next year.
The turf has taken around two years to grow and has been designed to ensure maximum durability, with Perth Stadium set to host a range of sports and music concerts.
The turf was grown by Greenacres Turf Group, whose director Peter Pitsikas told The West Australian: “There won’t really be a home ground advantage because we’ve done AAMI Park, the MCG and ANZ Stadium.
“If you looked at it, you couldn’t tell the difference (between 100 per cent natural grass), but it’s a very durable, uniform consistent surface.”
Speaking to The West Australian, Hamish Sutherland, managing director of HG Sports Turf, said: “If you put loads on it, like during a concert, it will support those loads but if a concert damages the grass, for instance if they decide to cover the grass for one or two weeks, we are able to roll this grass up and put some new grass in.
“We will have a retainer at Greenacres Turf Group for that purpose.”
It has not yet been confirmed which sport will christen Perth Stadium. An AFL Aussie rules match has been touted, although it has recently been proposed that an NRL rugby league double-header open the venue. The NRL season starts two weeks before the AFL campaign, which could give the former an advantage.
Perth Stadium is also scheduled to host cricket matches and music concerts, with Ed Sheeran having been pencilled in to perform in March.
Image: Perth Stadium
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