Boost to Sports Development in Melbourne Centre

The Victorian government has invested heavily in sports infrastructure announcing updates on two projects in the heart of Melbourne.

One is a vertical sports centre, the Fitzroy Gasworks Sport Centre. Built Environs is currently undertaking works on the site.

It is designed to be a multi-purpose venue that will support local sports clubs and is expected to create 150 jobs during construction.

Increasing demand for sports venues in built-up inner-city areas prompted the vertical design of the venue.

Completion of the centre is scheduled for mid-2024 and the Collingwood Basketball Association has committed to space within the building.

The centre will have four multi-purpose courts for highball sports, a multi-purpose court for futsal, gymnasium, cafe, community facilities, change rooms, umpire facilities, foyer and reception. 

The Wurun Senior Campus, which opened last year, is next door and integration is planned between the building and the school’s two indoor sports courts to create a six-court facility to operate outside school hours. 

Yarra City Council has invested $5 million in the centre and will manage it upon completion. The state government has invested $49.5 million. 

It will be part of the Fitzroy Gasworks Precinct, which will eventually be a neighbourhood of more than 1000 families.

“We’re transforming the site of the former Fitzroy Gasworks into a thriving new precinct with more affordable and sustainable housing, a first-class sports centre and public spaces for everyone to enjoy,” Victorian transport and infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan said.

The Fitzroy Gasworks Precinct will also have Development Victoria’s first build-to-rent project.

▲ Development Victoria is overseeing the Fitzroy Gasworks Precinct project.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn’s women’s AFL team will get new facilities thanks to a $15-million upgrade to the Kennedy Community Centre in south-east Melbourne.

The project will cost $103 million and comprises a new home ground in Dingley, a match day pavilion and oval with a 500-seat grandstand, team change rooms, umpire and media facilities, coaches’ boxes and a function room. 

There will also be a new Harris Elite Training and Administration Facility that will have a training oval, gym, indoor training facility and recovery facilities, giving both the men and women’s teams the infrastructure to compete with other teams in the league.

“This funding is an important step in making our dream a reality to create a hub that has equal and inclusive facilities for both boys and girls, men and women from the community through to elite,” Hawthorn football club president Andy Gowers said.

Construction is expected to begin soon and completion is scheduled for the end of 2024.

Sports infrastructure has become a hot topic as the 2026 Commonwealth Games fast approaches with the state government and private developers rushing to prepare for it.