Lake Macquarie Council has awarded an Australian-owned construction firm a $42 million contract to expand the Hunter Sports Centre in Glendale.
Grindley has been awarded the $42 million contract – which is expected to create 100 direct and indirect jobs during construction and generate $16 million in flow-on benefits to the local economy.
The expansion, which began with the recent opening of a new warm-up track at the regional facility, will continue throughout 2023 – with Grindley chosen to build a new athlete testing facility, sport and community centre and New South Wales Trampoline Centre of Excellence, paving the way for the centre to host national and international sporting events.
The Federal Government has committed $10 million to the sports and community centre expansion, and its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program has provided $960,000 for the Hunter Sports Centre warm-up track extension.
The LRCI program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia.
Lake Macquarie City Council Deputy CEO, Tony Farrell, said Grindley had a track record for delivering award-winning community infrastructure.
“Grindley has been selected following a competitive tender process. We’re confident they will deliver a bigger and better Hunter Sports Centre that will meet the needs of our growing community and put Lake Macquarie on the map as a sporting powerhouse,” Mr Farrell said.
Grindley CEO, Matthew Macauley, said the firm was excited and extremely pleased to be selected for such an important community project.
“Partnering with Lake Macquarie City Council and the local community to deliver these significant additions to the Hunter Sports Centre precinct characterises Grindley’s core business, our values and commitment to local infrastructures. We look forward to commencement of works on the project,” Mr Macauley said.
The three-storey, 4500m2 sport and community centre will feature large multi-purpose and function rooms alongside new health and fitness facilities.
Works will also improve access and create additional parking for the 570,000 visitors expected to visit the upgraded Hunter Sports Centre every year.
Grindley will also build the new New South Wales Trampoline Centre of Excellence, which will boast a 1300m2 arena with 12 trampolines and grandstand seating for up to 400 spectators.
The New South Wales Government has committed $12.5 million to deliver the New South Wales Trampoline Centre of Excellence through its Centre of Excellence Fund, as well as $1 million to the warm-up track and athlete testing facility through the Regional Sports Facility Fund.
New South Wales Minister for Sport, Alister Henskens, said the Hunter Sports Centre expansion would help grow participation and provide talent pathways for the local community.
“Since 2017, the New South Wales Government has invested more than $2 billion in community sport, through grassroots infrastructure projects, participation programs and our nation-leading Active Kids voucher,” Mr Henskens said.
“The Hunter’s next generation of track and aerial athletes will help bridge the gap between elite sport and grassroots, bringing sporting heroes closer to the community and creating strong links with development programs.”
The upgrade of Hunter Sports Centre is expected to be completed by late 2024.
