Construction work has begun on the 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium in West Australia.

Designed by a team consisting of Cox Architecture, design studio Hassell and architects HKS Sports and Entertainment Group, the multi-purpose stadium will form the centrepiece of a new sporting precinct at Perth’s Burswood district, located on the banks of the Swan River.

The AU$820m (US$770m, €570m, £450m) venue – funded and owned by the Government of Western Australia – will be the new home to Aussie rules clubs Fremantle and West Coast Eagles as well as the Western Force rugby union team.

Scheduled for an opening in 2018 the designs have been touted as “the most fan friendly venue in the country”.

The stadium will be five-tiered with up-to 85 per cent of the seats being under cover. A number of spectator-friendly design solutions are being planned – such as every seat featuring a cup-holder, an even distribution of 70 food and beverage outlets and 4G Wi-Fi coverage across the stadium.

The design will also allow capacity to be increased by 10,000 additional seats in the future if needed, by adding an extra tier.

Outside the stadium, the surrounding sports precinct has been inspired by Dreamtime stories (mythical aboriginal creation stories). It will have three distinct recreational spaces encouraging use by the community all year round.

A covered Community Arbour, linking the stadium station to the river, will represent Noongar community stories. The western section of the precinct will be home to an amphitheatre, two children’s playgrounds, picnic areas and a boardwalk while the community sporting oval to the north will be available for public use on non-event days, as well as providing event-day parking.

Colin Barnett, the premier of Government of Western Australia, said: “Once again we gather at this magnificent site to celebrate another milestone delivered on schedule.

“Before the gates open for the start of the 2018 AFL season, local businesses of all sizes will have the opportunity to play a part in the delivery of this venue. More than 100 contracts will be awarded during the construction phase and the first will be announced before the Christmas public holidays.”

Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron added: “In just a few years, Western Australian fans will have the opportunity to experience a world-class facility week-in, week-out but most importantly one that has been designed with their needs at its heart.”

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