The Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, and Member for Bennelong, Maxine McKew, have announced the Australian Government would offer up to $3.5 million for a new Community and Sports Centre in ELS Hall Park, North Ryde.
The grant follows a successful application by the Council to the Federal Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure – Strategic Projects Program (RLCIP)*, made available to local government for a limited number of special projects. Preference was given to projects that included partnership funding.
“This is an outstanding result,” Clr Tagg said. “This project has been in the development stage for over two years and it has been my dream to see a state-of-the-art sporting/community facility here in the City of Ryde.
“Not only will our whole community benefit from this much needed multi-purpose venue, the project will also create many new jobs and provide a real boost to the local economy.
“Work on the new venue is expected to kick off as early as September 2009. It is expected that construction will take no longer than 12-15 months to complete,” he added.
To be known as the Ryde Community and Sports Centre, the facility will replace existing amenities on Council owned land adjacent to the car park and baseball field at ELS Hall Park (Kent Road, Ryde). The centre will provide a 2,000 sqm multi-purpose hall for indoor sports, stage productions, presentations and ceremonies.
Facilities will include:
- Indoor multi-use sports courts (basketball, indoor soccer, badminton, netball and volleyball)
- Community meeting space
- Shower/toilet/changing amenities
- Equipment (including electronic scoreboard, lighting, conference facilities)
- Administration offices and store rooms
- Catering facilities
Estimated cost for the multi purpose venue is $6 million. The grant of $3.5 million will be supplemented by $1 million pledged by local community organisations with the remaining $1.5 million coming from Council’s own Capital Works Program.
“This is a great example of partnerships working successfully,” the Mayor said. “On behalf of the City of Ryde, I would like to thank the Federal Government for their generous assistance and congratulate the local community for helping to get this great project off the ground.”
* Earlier this year, the City of Ryde received further federal funding from the RLCIP of $381,000 for the Buffalo Creek Walking Trail project, which is due to be completed in August.
Media contact: Lee Kirkland, City of Ryde, T 9952 8083
