Council masterplan aims to reshape Port Hedland's Sporting Future

The Town of Port Hedland Council has adopted three masterplans that will shape the community’s future recreation and sport leisure capabilities, paving the way for detailed designs to commence on detailed planning for the South Hedland Integrated Sports Complex (SHISC), McGregor Street Sports Precinct and JD Hardie Youth Zone.

Community members are now invited to the unveiling of the SHISC Masterplan at a special sporting convention on Thursday 19th September from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Wanungkura Stadium.

The McGregor Street Masterplan includes upgrades to Turf Club structures, improvements to accessibility and parking and the construction of new multi-purpose sports fields.

Architectural Firm Carabiner Architects will commence SHISC’s schematic designing, the next step in transforming Wanangkura Stadium and its surrounds into a fit for purpose, integrated sports hub to meet community demand for the next two decades.

Key improvements include a stadium extension and internal modifications, redesign of the sporting fields, shaded outdoor basketball courts, improved lighting, dual use path networks, an adventure playground and fenced dog park.

Commissioner Fred Riebeling said the Masterplans’ ambitious vision is grounded in solid, tangible planning and detailed needs analysis, advising I’d like to thank Hedland’s sporting clubs, organisations and community members for informing masterplans which lay the foundations for the most significant upgrade to our sporting capabilities in decades.

“The McGregor Street Sports precinct is projected to included tennis and hockey club room upgrades, shaded areas, cricket nets, athletic facilities and more.

“Carabiner Architects have elevated Kevin Scott Oval’s potential, incorporating public open space featuring outdoor fitness stations, multi-use pavilions and land segmentation based on the unique needs of sporting codes into the vicinity.

“Our four-legged friends haven’t been forgotten, with a new fenced dog park heeding the calls for better canine facilities in South Hedland.

“The current limitations of Wanangkura Stadium have been considered and addressed, such as the area’s current susceptibility to flooding, limited indoor sporting capacity relative to population growth and the lack of shade on outdoor courts.

“I encourage all community members to view the three Masterplans to appreciate their breadth and comprehensiveness.”

Funding approved for Gratwick Aquatic Centre works
Port Hedland’s Gratwick Aquatic Centre (GAC) is expected to open for the summer with additional funds allocated to ensure completion of upgrades in advance of its season opening.

The valued community asset was closed in April 2018 for scheduled upgrade works before catastrophic filtration system failure occurred in September 2018 during the system’s testing.

Two failed pressure filters needed to be replaced to comply with WA Department of Health standards.

In addition to new filtration, the facility has undergone upgrades to its ablutions, tiling, pool infrastructure and signage.

Commissioner Riebeling said the Town’s priority was to for GAC to be reopened for the upcoming 2019/20 summer season, advising “I’d like to thank the community for their patience and understanding during GAC’s upgrade, which experienced a significant setback during last year’s filtration testing.

“However, GAC’s longer than expected closure time has meant Town Officers and contractors have been able to rectify all the issues limiting the facility’s potential in a comprehensive manner.

“Talk of GAC’s possible closure in previous years led to community members speaking up as one and voicing a passion for the facility’s long term viability.

“I’m excited for GAC to be reopened, providing a much needed cooling off space during the Pilbara summer for Port Hedland’s residents.”

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Image: Swimmer at the Gratwick Aquatic Centre.