Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron has welcomed the completion of the State Government's $95million redevelopment of nib Stadium following the laying of new turf.
Perth Glory will be the first team to play on the new pitch during their game against Melbourne Heart FC on Sunday (October 27).
Mr Waldron said the redevelopment placed nib Stadium among Australia's best sporting venues and made it more competitive on a national stage.
The Minister said the latest works included new sub-surface drainage, a synthetic turf perimeter, new irrigation and most notably, new turf.
"This kind of reinforced turf has been used at various stadiums around Australia and the world including the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Etihad Stadium in Melbourne," he said.
"The new playing pitch will provide a surface that ensures players and fans alike will experience sport at its best and there won't be the flooding issues which have caused problems in the past.
"The pitch work completes a large project which has turned a rather run-down venue into one which is much more comfortable for fans and offers a world-class pitch for the rectangular codes of rugby and soccer.
"It's great that one of our local teams will get the chance to try the pitch out first, and we wish the Glory the best of luck this season."
Mr Waldron also announced the National Rugby League (NRL) had committed to growing their relationship with Western Australia.
"I'm really pleased to confirm a Canterbury Bulldogs NRL game will take place here at nib in 2014, and the South Sydney Rabbitohs have also confirmed they will play a fixture here next year," he said.
"This shows the fantastic new facilities at nib are attracting more content to Perth and have strengthened the appeal for clubs to continue their connection to the Perth market."
Fact File
The turf is couch grass which has been growing on a farm in Serpentine since January
The stadium pitch required approximately 10,000 square metres of new grass and the equivalent of three-and-a-half Olympic swimming pools of soil was replaced
Other work as part of the Stage 1 redevelopment included a permanent eastern and southern stand, heritage works at Gate 1, two video boards, lighting, CCTV and PA system
Minister's office - 6552 6100
