It was constructed to replace the ageing Perry Lakes Stadium nearby, which had been in use since the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

[4] The stadium incorporates features which honour some of Western Australia's past sporting heroes.

These include the Shirley Strickland Grandstand, the Herb Elliott Forecourt and the Wally Foreman Walk.

[2] Besides sporting events, the stadium can be configured to hold major concerts.

A Lenny Kravitz concert scheduled for 28 March 2012 was cancelled and an "80's Dance Picnic Party" featuring Ali Campbell and Billy Ocean scheduled for 21 January 2012 relocated to the neighbouring Challenge Stadium.