THE NEW Perth Stadium will feature the same turf that is used at major multipurpose venues such as the MCG and Eden Park in Auckland.
The Western Australian premier Colin Barnett and Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies announced on Thursday that HG Sports Turf had been contracted to prepare, grow and install 17,000 square metres of turf for the new stadium.
The venue is 50 per cent complete with the complete stadium structure almost in place and some of the roof fabric being installed this week.
The 60,000-seat stadium is set to be ready for the start of the 2018 AFL season and will host Fremantle and West Coast home matches into the future.
But it will also be a multipurpose stadium hosting a number of a sports in the same manner as the MCG, hence the decision to use the same turf model.
"A tried and tested solution has been selected accommodating different sporting and entertainment events," Mr Barnett said.
"The turf will be a combination of natural grass interwoven with artificial turf and rolled onto the pitch like a carpet, providing outstanding stability and durability."
New Perth Stadium's progress in pictures
The turf will be grown locally at a turf farm in Serpentine, only 60km south-east of Perth, before it is installed.
Preparation on the base of the playing surface will commence shortly including installation of drainage equipment and irrigation systems.
The Western Australian Cricket Association also announced on Thursday that construction had begun on the full set of drop-in wickets to be used at the stadium for major cricket matches.
Stadium interior
