The new $7.3m Treeby Community and Sports Centre has already proven a focal point for locals who have excitedly anticipated the project’s progress since before onsite construction began 14 months ago.
On Saturday 14 May, the City of Cockburn celebrated the Centre’s highly anticipated official opening by Mayor Logan Howlett and Jandakot MLA Yaz Mubarakai. The event was attended by Councillors and representatives of the facility’s key users including Treeby Community Association and Fremantle Roosters Rugby League Club.
The multipurpose facility is the result of community consultation and extensive engagement between the City and local residents, stakeholders, and a specially-formed reference group, which helped develop the design.
The City-funded project received a $230,000 boost from the WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries as an election commitment from Jandakot MLA Yaz Mubarakai, helping achieve upgrades to the adjacent playing oval to suit organised sport and purchase new play equipment for the Centre.
City of Cockburn Head of Community Development Karoline Jamieson said the facility was identified in the Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Plan 2018-2033, and was an important addition to Treeby, one of the City’s newest suburbs.
“Not only will the project be a catalyst for increased participation in sport and recreation in the area, its prominent location in the Treeby town centre will enable the facility’s varied community spaces to function as a hub for community, social and cultural events,” Ms Jamieson said.
“Treeby Community Association was really engaged in the facility’s development and provided enthusiastic and practical input into the design of the much-needed Centre which it will use as a base for regular meetings and community events.
“The facility is the Fremantle Roosters Rugby League Club HQ with junior and senior teams preparing for their first winter playing season at their new home, so there is much excitement ahead of this wonderful occasion.”
The Centre comprises multi-functional community activity and meeting spaces including areas purpose-built for art activities, multi-purpose sporting clubrooms and a large undercover area overlooking Treeby reserve, storage space, an enclosed play area, unisex change rooms, toilets, kitchens and a canteen, and 50 car bays.
“Four changerooms increase the scope for women’s and girls’ sports and this contemporary facility will easily accommodate local and regional tournaments and events in an area that is already a busy focal point for the local community.”
Mr Mubarakai said he was absolutely delighted to deliver the upgraded playing field, and additional undercover playground area and equipment that he committed $230,000 to at the 2021 election.
“Treeby is one of the newest and fastest growing communities in the Jandakot electorate, and with many young families calling it home, we have seen increasing demand for places to play sport and enjoy time together with friends and family,” Mr Mubarakai said.
“The City of Cockburn has done an outstanding job. I’m sure this new facility with its myriad features will encourage all sections of the community, including girls and women, to participate in organised sport and other community events and activities offered at the Centre.”
The Centre boasts environmentally sustainable design features including:
- Double glazing to improve thermal and acoustic performance
- LED lighting
- A medium Solar PV system with battery-ready inverter
- Increased roof insulation to all areas within the building envelope
- Water saving fittings and fixtures
- Water wise landscaping featuring endemic species
- Drainage swales directing stormwater into landscaping areas
- Future provisions for an Electric Vehicle charging station.
The facility on the corner of Clementine Boulevard and Torwood Avenue was constructed by McCorkell Constructions (WA) and designed by Perth-based Hodge Collard Preston Architects.
Caption: Noongar man Nick Abraham, Jandakot MLA Yaz Mubarakai, Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett and City of Cockburn Chief of Community Services Gail Bowman open the new Treeby Community and Sports Centre.
Caption: Noongar man Nick Abraham conducts a smoking ceremony at the Treeby Community and Sports Centre opening. He is pictured with Fremantle Roosters Rugby League Club junior player Jhye Jetta (12).