A sod turning ceremony has signalled the official start of work on Penrith City Council’s multi-million-dollar 32-hectare Gipps Street Recreation Precinct project.
The milestone brings Council’s long-term strategy, to transform the former waste facility into a landmark sport and recreation destination for the community, a vital step closer to reality, said Mayor, Tricia Hitchen.
“This facility is going to be something truly special for the people of Penrith and I can’t wait to see it delivered for our community,” Mayor Hitchen said.
“We are incredibly excited that the start of construction for this landmark destination can now commence. This site has been earmarked by Council for use as a recreation precinct since the 2000s and we can’t wait for our vision to reinvent Gipps Street to be realised.
“Every member of the family will find something at Gipps Street to help them enjoy outdoor pursuits, including multiple sports fields, full amenities, inclusive children’s area featuring water play, a dedicated Youth Precinct including a skate park and our City’s very first pump track. There will be outdoor gym equipment, an off-leash dog park, shaded picnic areas with BBQs and beautiful nature walks too,” she said.
Council is contributing $27.5 million toward the project, with a further $6.5 million being received from grants through partnering with the NSW Government.
Council also secured grant funding for the youth area through the Department of Planning’s Open Spaces Pilot Project ($500,000), while the Office of Sport will contribute to the amenity building through its Greater Cities Sports Facilities Fund ($1,000,000) and the multi-sport playing fields with LED lighting through its Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund ($5,000,000).
The 32-hectare site at Gipps Street along South Creek was used as Council’s main waste facility from the mid-1950s to the mid-1980s which has undergone extensive remediation before it could be developed.
Council recently awarded the construction tender to Glascott Landscape and Civil Pty Ltd who will undertake the remaining remediation, construction, landscaping, and installation work required at the Claremont Meadows site to bring the innovative Precinct design to life.
The Precinct is scheduled for completion by the end of 2023.
