Big face lift on the way

A host of infrastructure projects across Port Hedland were endorsed at last week’s ordinary council meeting.

The Port Hedland Recreation and Community Hub, South Hedland Integrated Sports Hub and JD Hardie Youth Hub all had various components of their designs and master plans endorsed last week, signalling a significant step forward for the town, which is often referred to as the forgotten cousin of the City of Karratha.

The proposed changes to the South Hedland site would be an overhaul of facilities.

The upgrades would include an extension of Wanangkura Stadium to include three indoor multi-purpose courts, a new sports oval next to Kevin Scott Oval, improvements to the baseball facilities, a new dog park and a multi-use footpath to connect all the grounds.

The Port Hedland Recreation and Community Hub revamp would also have significant improvements including a double-storey turf club building with a function room and a site for dance and martial arts classes to be held.

The total estimated construction cost for the Port Hedland facility was $12,655,828.

Landscaping works and a new undercover shade structure for the JD Hardie Youth Centre’s outside basketball courts were also endorsed, completing the trifecta of upgrades for sports facilities across Port Hedland.

Town of Port Hedland commissioner Fred Riebeling said the plans were designed to cater to the increased demand from the community for greater access to sporting facilities. “Hedland has to be ready, and these plans are designed to make sure that over the next 20 years the facilities match the desire,” he said.

Mr Riebeling also said said the expansion of the facilities would strengthen the sports clubs that were struggling because of lack of access.

“Cricket is a classic example. There are six clubs and there’s the likelihood of a seventh club being available but there’s nowhere to put them,” he said.