Designs unveiled for $5.5 million redevelopment of Morley Sport and Recreation Centre

Designs have been released for the stage one $5.5 million redevelopment of Morley Sport and Recreation Centre - home to the East Perth District Basketball Association (EPDBA).

The stage one design, which was unveiled recently at the City of Bayswater includes the construction of two additional basketball courts within a new sports hall. New sports lighting will also be installed on the adjacent rugby pitches. Additional toilets and change rooms to service users of the new sports hall are now also included as part of stage one.

EPDBA has seen a significant growth in membership over the past decade with junior participation doubling during this period.The two new basketball courts will cement the venue as the home for the EPDBA with the Western Australian Government having invested $2 million towards the redevelopment to meet the facility's growing demand for court time.

The stage one design is a WA Government election commitment through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF). Additional funding of $3.5 million was provided by the City of Bayswater.

City of Bayswater Mayor Dan Bull said he was delighted the City was on track to deliver stage one of the redevelopment by June 2021 adding “the redevelopment of the Morley Sport and Recreation Centre was one of four major projects we fast-tracked as part of our response to COVID-19. Back in May, we allocated $600,000 towards the detailed design work as part of the City’s $5.09 million local economic and social stimulus package aimed at stimulating the local economy.

“The redevelopment would not have been possible without the support of the State government, in particular, the Member for Morley, Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA."

Amber-Jade was instrumental in securing $2 million in Community Sporting and Recreation Facility Funding (CSRFF) towards the construction of two additional basketball courts.

WA Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray notes "The Morley Sport and Recreation Centre is the base facility for the EPDBA competitions and I understand that recently conducted tryouts for the WA Basketball League saw unprecedented numbers across all age groups.

"This project is an excellent example of State and local governments working together to provide grassroots facilities for local communities. Without State Government funding, this project would not have been able to go ahead."

Mayor Bull said he is confident the new design will be embraced by the community and advised “the final design responded to calls from the Design Review Panel for an ambitious civic building that delivers a dynamic presence to the evolving Morley area. The stunning images of the new building reveal a contemporary new sports hall with a multi-faceted roof and large glass windows sheltered by screens to allow for both uninterrupted play on the new courts and views of the surrounding area."

Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA applauded the new design and remarked “I am delighted with the new design of the Morley Sport and Recreation Centre and am so pleased the State government could contribute to its redevelopment.

“The construction of two additional basketball courts will cement Morley Sport and Recreation Centre as the home of the East Perth Basketball Association. It will enable the State Basketball League to play games right here in Morley."

Mayor Bull said the City has also appointed a building contractor commenting “the approval of a construction tender this week means preliminary site works can get underway in December.

“We are on track for the delivery of stage one of the redeveloped Morley Sport and Recreation Centre by June 2021.”

Image courtesy of City of Bayswater