By Ray Sparvell
- Name for new sports stadium at Burswood unveiled
- $1.2 billion Perth Stadium to cost almost double 2011 projections
- Perth Stadium $54m pedestrian bridge a win for sports fans
- Larry Graham: the curious case of a broke government and a new stadium
- Perth Stadium train station: sneak peek at design
- Work begins at Perth Stadium
After months of speculation, the name of the state's new stadium was released to an underwhelming reception. It is to be called Perth Stadium. In case you didn't know or you've already forgotten.
Now, you can understand the bemusement, if not downright, deflation of all us West Australians who have been expecting something . . . clever. After all, we have been in a state of delicious anticipation for months.
The earliest responders to our Facebook announcement summed up much of the "oh, really" reaction.
"Errr . . . that was a let down, perhaps company branded by Crown may help pay for the bloody thing. Or call it after someone or something that represents Western Australia."
'Maybe I should name it Colin's Colosseum?'
"Perth Stadium? So much thought must have gone into giving it such a creative name!"
"Bit like the size of the stadium . . .a let down"
"It will end up being called Crown stadium to match the casino"
"I thought the Barnett government would also sell the naming rights of the stadium . . . bit surprised."
"Name is a bit left field. Not sure how it will sit with the progressive Perth public."
"Dreamtime Stadium sounds better." (I think this responder is onto something "Perth Dreamtime Stadium aka The stadium of dreams. I like it.)
"At least it's not another royal theme. Elizabeth Quay, King Square, both crap names."
"Creative genius. Probably only cost taxpayers a million to come up with that name too, bargain."
"It's going to be great but Jeez a little more effort on the name would have been appreciated .. Ha ha."
"Perth stadium . . . Perth arena . . . Perth convention centre. Hope we didn't spend money on test groups for this."
In the interests of balance, there were supporters for the name:
"Excellent name. Says it all."
"I like it.. simple yet effective."
"Says it all. good decision."
Let's face it, most of us could have come up with "Perth" in our tea break; in fact, in the first jiggle of a tea bag.
Then why, for heaven's sake, did it take all these months to come up with the "bleeding obvious"?
I've been trying to clarify it with the Premier's office.
I suspect that any kind of consultative process was, in fact, just a stalking horse. Was it all a stitch-up from the word "go"? Was it always only ever going to be "Perth" and the delay was just a means to justify the ends.
After all, we have attached "Perth" to the Arena and to the Convention and Exhibition Centre.
"The passage of time will make it look like we really canvassed hard," might have been the words of a shrewd media adviser.
However, it came about and however boring we think it is, while the process might have been awkward, they might just be right.