Subiaco seating repurposed for EJ Oval

Ernest Johnson Oval (EJ Oval) has received and repurposed a slice of history, with seating from the now-demolished Subiaco Oval installed for families and attendees to use. 

Six metres of recycled seating has been erected at EJ Oval on a tiered platform to provide spectator seating and commemorate the former Subiaco Oval.  

The City is pleased to reuse this relic seating, originally from the two-tier stand constructed in the early 1980s. The jarrah timber seating was received in very good condition and has been freshly painted and renumbered before installation.  

A plaque will be installed to acknowledge the significance of the seating, telling the story of Subiaco Oval, which opened in 1908 and was used for major sporting events and concerts until its closure in 2017. 

A number of connections underpin this project, with AFL and WAFL umpire headquarters and weekly community umpire training sessions at EJ Oval. The umpires are longstanding users of the facility, with, at any one time, up to 120 umpires from grassroots to professional level practising their skills to play a crucial part in WA footy.  

“The City is proud to give new life to this heritage seating in a community setting, sitting behind the South Perth Library and emphasising our focus on health, environment and innovation,” City of South Perth CEO Geoff Glass said.