AusLeisure

The Western Australian Government has supported the City of Fremantle's vision for the redevelopment of the Stan Reilly Centre by granting permission to incorporate ancillary commercial activities under a new management order.
Western Australian Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said this was an important step in the redevelopment of the ideally located site on South Terrace, Fremantle and its integration with new facilities at Fremantle Oval.
It is proposed the centre be redeveloped to house an indoor training centre for the Fremantle Football Club and ample space for complementary commercial activities which may include a gymnasium and allied health services.
The City of Fremantle plans for the site include the development of a $30 million training and administration facility within five years as part of a redevelopment of historic Fremantle Oval.
The redevelopment would create a mixed-use community facility which would also incorporate space for South Fremantle Football Club and University of Notre Dame.
The ambitious plan would incorporate part of the Fremantle Docker's existing administration and training centre built 11 years ago.
The City, South Fremantle, the WA Department of Sport and Recreation and the AFL have also been involved in the club's planning for the development which would more than double the size of the Dockers' existing presence at its spiritual home to about metre2.
The Dockers investigated sites at Murdoch University and within the City of Cockburn in case they were unable to redevelop the ground.
Dockers Chief Executive Steve Rosich recently explained "Fremantle Oval is our current and spiritual home.
"However, the significance and complexity of this project, including the limitations of the current site and the significant costs involved, dictate that we should continue to conduct due diligence on alternative sites while progressing the master plan for the Fremantle Oval precinct.
The Fremantle Oval master plan includes:
ï¾ Retention of the heritage-listed Victoria Pavilion.
ï¾A main building on the ground's southern wing which would house the Dockers and South Fremantle, albeit in separate areas.
ï¾ The University of Notre Dame's proposed health sciences faculty.
ï¾ A large indoor training facility.
ï¾ A function centre.
Rosich said added "the club component of the development will be in the order of $30 million."
It is understood the Dockers plan to raise most of the money with contributions from the WA Government and the AFL.
As well as having dedicated spaces, the local community will also have access to the indoor training centre and other football club facilities.
Minister Grylls stated "I am pleased to facilitate the development of what will eventually be a superb multi-purpose centre for the community of Fremantle to enjoy.
"The State Government is always looking for ways to get the most out of our land assets and this is a great example of a space evolving with its local community.
"The centre can now grow into a dynamic space for recreational, community and commercial purposes.
"By introducing commercial opportunities to the centre, we are ensuring the economic sustainability of the sporting precinct and maintaining the heritage value of the site.
"At the same time, we are assisting the City of Fremantle to continue its own growth as a vibrant centre."

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.