Barnett to open new Albany football stadium

WAPremier Colin Barnett is in Albany today to officially cut the ribbon on the new football stadium as part of the long-awaited Centennial Park sporting precinct.

The opening of the stadium was attended by a slew of local, state and federal politicians and administrators as well as local sporting clubs representatives.

Speeches were kept short and sharp before the Premier and Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington cut the ribbon and headed on to the field for a bit of kick-to-kick for the cameras.

Mr Wellington said he could not wipe the smile from his face as there had been many detractors over the years suggesting the project would never come to completion.

“It’s a momentous occasion for us and we’d like to thank the State Government and the Federal Government for the money they have put in and everybody else that has worked very hard on this project,” he said.

Mr Barnett said the City and the councillors had done very well to ensure the Centennial Park sporting precinct was built on time.

“You have wheeled and dealed on Centennial Park since the original concept plan in 2008 and i think the City of Albany has done very well,” he said.

Mr Barnett said the project has had $27 million invested in it so far from the State Government, the Commonwealth and the City of Albany.

Liberal Candidate for Albany Greg Stocks said the Government would not be announcing any further funding for for the completion of the sporting precinct but there were more election promises to come from his party over the coming days.

WA Labor leader Mark McGowan has pledged $6.9 million to ensure the completion of the project.

The opening was brought forward from a planned opening date by a couple of weeks and crews have been working overtime to have it ready for the Premier’s visit.

The Centennial Park master plan was first adopted by the City of Albany Council in 2013 at an initial expected cost of $42 million and outlined the construction of a new stadium, precinct upgrades, new soccer and cricket clubrooms and lighting.