Words & Image: Michael Flynn

Lighting upgrades to Perry Park, the joint home of Brisbane Strikers and Brisbane Roar, will likely see the venue able to host Westfield FFA Cup ties against Hyundai A-League opponents in 2015.

The works are part of an off-season face lift for the ‘spiritual home of Queensland footballl’ as the venue is prepared for a role as a training base in this summer's AFC Asian Cup.

It also coincides with Roar’s recent move of club operations to Perry Park, which will see the facility ultimately become the defending Hyundai A-League Champions’ full-time training base.

In addition to the lighting upgrades, the club offices have been upgraded to accommodate Roar and preliminary works are underway to rejuvenate the playing surface on both the main and secondary pitches.

Strikers Chairman Bruce Atterton-Evans said the ability to play high-profile Westfield FFA Cup matches at the venue was a prime consideration in the lighting improvements.

“The specification was to meet the requirements of the PFA in the lighting upgrades,” Atterton-Evans said.

“There will also be no problem for Roar playing their trial games here and meeting their responsibilities with the PFA in that regard.”

Fellow PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs Olympic FC and Palm Beach Sharks were required to find alternative venues to host their recent Westfield FFA Cup ties against Central Coast Mariners.

Atterton-Evans said the upgrade to Perry Park meant the option was now available for the football specific venue to be considered by PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs, as well as community clubs, in next year’s edition of the knock-out tournament.

“It would be much better to be at a football specific facility and not have the exorbitant rents being charged by some larger stadiums,” he said.

The dressing rooms and grandstand seating at the ground have also been upgraded over the past 18 months and Atterton-Evans explained the continued improvements will see Perry Park return to its former glory.

“Roar have come in and helped us give it a bit of a freshen up and with the other works being planned I think it will be a more than comfortable facility for both players and spectators.”

“By next season it will probably be in the best state it has been in for the past five or six years,” Atterton-Evans concluded.