Works begin on Port Hedland’s new $19.5 million sports and community hub

Stage one works on Port Hedland’s new $19.4 million sports and community hub at the site of the Port Hedland Turf Club have officially started. Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman visited Port Hedland on Tuesday to formally “turn the sod” on the project alongside Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel, East Metropolitan MLC Samantha Rowe and Town of Port Hedland mayor Peter Carter. The works will be carried out by Decmil, which will include the construction of the new Port Hedland Community Centre, refurbishment of the stables at the Port Hedland Turf Club, horse float parking and landscaping. The community centre will provide space for martial arts and dance groups to use, as well as a venue for corporate and community functions. The centre will also be able to cater for up to 200 people in the event of a community welfare emergency such as a cyclone. Mr Templeman said the new hub would be a “fantastic” state-of-the-art facility. “I look forward to seeing the new facility take shape and provide people with a space to exercise, socialise and congregate,” he said. The sports and community hub is one of the three sites that are part of the Town of Port Hedland’s “Hedland Recreation Hubs initiative”, representing a projected $38 million investment in the town’s public infrastructure. The other sites include the JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub and South Hedland Integrated Sports Hub. The Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries has committed $10m to the project. Town of Port Hedland mayor Peter Carter said the start of the project was a milestone in delivering the Hedland Recreation Hubs initiative. “I want to thank the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries for their contribution to the project,” he said. “Council is proud to be delivering on the community’s sentiment supporting upgrades in Hedland’s sporting and recreational amenity for the future.” During the sod turning ceremony held at Gratwick Hall due to Tuesday’s heavy rain, Mr Carter highlighted that the improvements to the town’s sport and recreation facilities were to “meet the needs of the town’s growing population”. The Town expects Hedland’s population will double from about 15,000 to almost 30,000 by 2041, requiring improved sporting and recreational amenity.