Perth may host 2018 Commonwealth Games
5th August 2008, 10:00 WST
The 2018 Commonwealth Games could be held in WA after the State Government announced this morning it might bid for Perth to be the host city.
Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said on 6PR radio this morning hosting the Games would “really boost the confidence of a lot of Perth people who… like me agree that we should be looking to win these things for our city and our State.”
Premier Alan Carpenter, Sport and Recreation Minister John Kobelke and Tourism Minister Sheila McHale made the announcement outside Perry Lakes Stadium, where Perth last hosted the Games in 1962.
Demolition crews began tearing down buildings at the old stadium, built specifically for the 1962 Games, last week.
The original 1962 scoreboard will be retained and a ring road that follows the alignment of the athletics track will be all that remains of the stadium once the area is turned into a housing estate.
The State Government has until early 2011 to lodge a formal bid for right to host the 2018 Games.
Representatives from the Commonwealth Games Evaluation Commission will then visit each candidate city to view facilities, venues and receive presentations from the city’s bid committee.
The winning city will be announced at a CGA meeting in London in 2011.
Melbourne was host city to the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The city of Deli in India will host the 2010 Games, while Scotland’s city of Glasgow in the United Kingdom will host the 2014 games.
ALEISHA PREEDY