SHARKS’ fans face sunburn after the local town council pulled down three shelters at the East Fremantle football stadium — with no plans to replace them.

The rickety north, south and north-east shelters were deemed unsafe so the council spent up to $80,000 of ratepayers’ hard-earned removing them in the off-season.

The only main shelter left is the members’ stand, funnily enough named after long-serving town clerk Merv Cowan.

Council acting CEO Gary Clark says there are “no plans to replace the structures” and the town has received feedback the oval has been “improved” by the removal of the shelters.

Mayor Jim O’Neill lives opposite.

“The facilities were no longer required due to the reduced attendance numbers at WAFL games and the cost of making them safe was not sustainable,” Mr Clark says.

Club president Mark Stewart says up to 10,000 fans attend a derby and more than 1000 still attend a typical league game.

“Obviously we want the best facilities possible for our supporters, so we are having ongoing discussions with council about the stands,” he says.

“The matter is complicated by the fact the council is working on a masterplan for the oval and until that is completed it is hard for them to commit major funds to new infrastructure.

“We may look into temporary shelters using scaffolding, and we still have the Merv Cowan members’ stand, which is roofed.”

The council also removed an old toilet block.

East Freo kick off the 2016 season at home against Swan Districts on March 19.

Don’t forget the zinc: we recommend blue and white.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK