AN ambitious $120 million proposal — with an artificial wave lagoon the show-stopping centrepiece — would see Subiaco Oval transformed from the home of WA football to an urban surfing village.

The Sunday Times can reveal exclusive details of a bold, Australian-first concept for the post-football future of Subiaco Oval, which would combine a wave garden, elevated parkland, market space and unique apartment living.

The Subi Surf Park idea is a joint venture between Subiaco-based architects MJA Studio and international surf park company Wave Park Group.

Both stakeholders say they have already had keen interest from developers and believe the apartments would be quickly snapped up and require no capital expenditure from state or local government.

Camera Icon Artist's impression of a proposal by MJA Studio and WAVE Park Group to transform Subiaco Oval into Australia's first Wavegarden. Credit: Supplied

The landmark vision entails:

A 300m-long by 120m wide freshwater lagoon using groundbreaking “Wavegarden” wave generating technology only used in two European surf parks, with another under construction in Texas;

six zones with different sized waves catering for everyone from beginners to professionals, with scope for other water-based activities including uninterrupted 300m swimming laps. Waves would be up to 2m high and travel 200m for a 30-second ride;

220 dual-aspect one and two bedroom apartments ranging from $500,000 to $800,000;

new elevated public parkland (12,800sq m extension to Kitchener Park) with views over Subiaco, Kings Park and Perth CBD, inspired by New York’s High Line park;

dedicated market hall and plaza and hospitality and wellness venues;

52 TERRACED homes along the railway line; and

a permanent home for the WA Football Hall of Fame.

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MJA Studio director James Thompson hoped the public would get behind the proposal and said he believed the surf park attraction would restore Subiaco to its status as WA’s “premier cultural haven”.

He said the all-year round Wavegarden had the potential to bring 300,000 visitors to ­Subiaco each year.

“Subi Oval has inhabited its space for over 100 years and this is the first time this site has required a new use. It’s a great opportunity to rethink Subi and rethink Perth,” he said. “It’s not a crazy, billion dollar project, it’s feasible and something we could get going as soon as footy finishes if we have support from government.”

Camera Icon A lifeguard keeps watch at the 300m Surf Snowdonia in Wales. Credit: AFP, Oli Scarff

Wave Park Group chairman Andrew Ross said the plan would enable Subiaco to retain a sporting identity after the loss of AFL to the new Perth Stadium in 2018.

“There are actually more surfers in WA than there are people who play cricket, indoor and outdoor combined. There are over 300 AFL and cricket ovals in Perth and not one dedicated surfing facility,” he said.

“Most of our good beaches are shut six months of the year to surfboards anyway ... this will be the best and longest wave within a three-hour drive of Perth.”

He said developers were that excited some were prepared to sign up already even without current land rights.

The WA Football Commission holds a 99-year lease on Subiaco Oval with the council and other stakeholders working on a vision for the site’s ­future.

Premier Colin Barnett has previously said Subiaco Oval should be demolished for housing development. A spokeswoman for Planning Minister John Day said he had not seen this proposal.

City of Subiaco CEO Don Burnett said: “The City is aware of a number of options proposed for the future of Subiaco Oval. We expect to make a recommendation in the near ­future for our preferred use of the broader site.”

Speaking on Sunday, transport minister Dean Nalder said the idea to change the much-loved oval to a wave park was certainly unique.

“Having played footy on Subi Oval, a wave park, it’s a different idea and I look forward to hearing more about it, whether it is viable I’ll leave others to determine that,” he said.