New manager eager to see stadium host big events

Experienced event planner Jo Taylor will step into the football world for the first time after being appointed as the new facility manager for the $14 million Centennial Stadium.

Regarded as the jewel of the $27 million Centennial Park sporting precinct redevelopment, the stadium’s future will revolve around more than just football as City of Albany looks to attract conferences, community events and concerts.

Ms Taylor was appointed by Centennial Stadium Inc which is made up of club representatives from co-tenants Royals and Albany football clubs and independent chairman Phil Wyatt.

Having previously held a marketing co-ordinator position at the City and running her own events business, Ms Taylor said working with football clubs would be something new and was eager to see the stadium reach its full potential for the community.

“It’s such an amazing facility,” she said.

“Obviously we hope to attract some bigger games there but it’s not just about football.

“We will have the ability to attract large conferences such as tourism as well as weddings.”

The stadium features a 442-seat grandstand, full commercial-grade kitchen and bar, outside broadcast facilities, multi-use meeting and function rooms with a formal seating capacity of 200, as well as the ground with 250-lux WAFL-grade lighting.

City manager recreation services Sam Stevens said Ms Taylor would bring a wealth of events experience to the role.

“While the stadium provides a state-of-the-art facility for football clubs and fans to enjoy local games, it also has enormous potential to host large sporting events such as WAFL or AFL pre-season fixtures, community events, concerts and conferences,” she said.

“The City looks forward to working with Jo and the football clubs to realise the stadium’s potential and attract events that benefit the community and the region.”