A day after parting ways with coach John Worsfold, West Coast have announced they will move their training and administration base from Subiaco Oval to Lathlain Park in a $50 million venture.
The Eagles have entered into a Heads of Agreement with the Town of Victoria Park to develop a state-of-the-art complex at Lathlain Park, which is home to WAFL side Perth.
The site will feature two ovals – one replicating the dimensions of the MCG and the other configured to the size of the new Perth Stadium at Burswood.
West Coast hope to move into the new precinct by the start of 2017.
Subiaco Oval has been West Coast’s spiritual home since their inception in 1987.
But with the new $1 billion stadium at Burswood set to be completed in time for the 2018 season, West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett said the Eagles needed to find a new home that would serve their needs for generations to come.
“The facilities we built here 13 years ago are now probably in the bottom four or five in the competition,” Nisbett said of Subiaco Oval, which is now called Patersons Stadium due to a sponsorship agreement.
“We owe it to our players and our members to have facilities that are state of the art.
“Lathlain Park is a stone’s throw from the stadium. One train stop. It’s on the rail line, which is great. It’s very close to the airport.”
West Coast considered staying at Subiaco Oval, but Nisbett said the lack of space meant their options would have been limited.
“We couldn’t put two ovals on this precinct so it was going to be difficult if we were going to get better and have better facilities,” Nisbett said.
“It’s probably difficult for a lot of people to get their head around the move from time to time.
“Subiaco has been wonderful for footy but footy is moving to Burswood.
“We need to move and grow.”
Lathlain Park is situated 7km south-east of the Perth CBD, and 4km away from the proposed stadium at Burswood.
West Coast will lobby the State and Federal Government to chip in for the project.
The new training facility won’t impact the alignment between the Eagles and WAFL side East Perth, which will come into full effect next year.