New $80 million Rhodes multipurpose venue to include gym and indoor sports courts

The City of Canada Bay has advised it will open its $80 million, 9,200-square-metre multipurpose venue in Rhodes in Sydney’s inner west on 20th October 2025, offering world-class facilities for the whole community.

Sydney developer Billbergia Group is delivering the project under a $97 million Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with the City of Canada Bay Council.

Designed by renowned architecture firm SJB and located at 6 Gauthorpe Street, the new facility sits within a three-level podium beneath the 48-storey Peake and 43-storey Oasis residential towers. Together, they comprise Stage Two of Billbergia’s broader $3 billion Rhodes Central Masterplan.

Delivering a curated mix of essential community amenities, Rhodes Recreation Centre comprises two full-sized indoor sports courts, a gymnastics centre, a 70-place childcare centre, a Community Lounge, allied health services and bookable spaces for local groups and events. It also provides a gym with cardio equipment, weights, group fitness rooms, a creche, and an outdoor terrace, alongside a range of innovative sustainability features.

Saul Moran, Development Director – Planning and Design at Billbergia noted “Rhodes Recreation Centre is the community heart of our high-density TOD development, bringing to life Billbergia’s vision for a future-focused, liveable urban environment that prioritises amenity, not just density.”

City of Canada Bay Mayor Michael Megna noted “as one of Sydney’s fastest-growing communities, we are committed to investing in the future of Rhodes through vibrant and accessible recreation facilities, community spaces, and streetscapes.”

The Centre will launch with the ground-floor community lounge and ‘The Canvas’ venue for hire, as well as the gym and indoor sports courts located on the second floor.

The Early Learning Centre and Gymnastics Centre are on track to open in time for the 2026 school year, with the café and allied health tenancies to open according to contractor timeframes.

Mayor Megna added “the gym will feature top-of-the-line cardio equipment and a weights room, group fitness and spin studios, and child-minding services for members through an onsite creche.

“Presales for the gym will open in the coming weeks, and we encourage the community to explore the flexible and competitive membership options on offer.”

The City of Canada Bay is busy completing fit-outs, system installations, and recruitment ahead of the launch of the landmark community facility..

Driven by placemaking, Rhodes Recreation Centre is set to add further vibrancy and pedestrian activity to the Rhodes streetscape – providing a diverse range of 'in-demand' facilities to further enhance the liveability of the rapidly evolving suburb.

The innovative amenities within the residential towers reflect this vision and include a world-class swimming pool, spa, sauna, children’s play area, library, and theatre rooms.

Moran added “The Rhodes Recreation Centre stands as a benchmark in successful public-private collaboration. Through a VPA with Canada Bay Council, we’ve created a pathway to unlock additional housing supply while delivering significant, lasting community infrastructure. It’s a clear demonstration of how thoughtful public and private partnerships can shape vibrant, liveable neighbourhoods.”

Located adjacent to Rhodes railway station, Stage One of Billbergia’s Rhodes Central masterplan completed in 2021 and included the 13,000 square metre Rhodes Central Shopping Centre with convenience retail, a full-line Woolworths supermarket, medical facilities and the Bamboo Lane dining precinct.

Images. Credit: City of Canada Bay/ Billbergia