Early works are underway on the new $43.6 million Northern Suburbs Community Recreation Hub at Mowbray in Launceston.
Located on Invermay Road, the Hub will be Tasmania’s largest multi-purpose community sporting and recreation facility, with a building area of over 10,000 square metres of indoor space and additional outdoor activities.
“The City of Launceston is thrilled that work is underway on the new Northern Suburbs Community Recreation Hub,” said Mayor, Matthew Garwood.
“An incredible project that repurposes a former industrial facility in Mowbray into a contemporary community space, providing much needed new netball courts and multipurpose courts, as well as facilities for gymnastics, rock climbing and community education and training.
“This project represents one of the biggest investments in the Northern Suburbs in decades and will bring a host of social, economic and cultural benefits to our city.”
The Hub is set to include:
- Four designated indoor courts for netball operated by the Northern Tasmania Netball Association (NTNA);
- Three indoor multi-use courts for basketball, volleyball, futsal, table tennis, wheelchair sports and other sporting and community recreational activities to address the current court shortfall;
- Rock climbing, gym, boxing and weightlifting facilities including an outdoor activities area;
- A designated gymnastics area to provide a wide range of programs for people of all ages;
- Café, commercial kitchen, and spectator amenities (grandstand seating) with change room facilities and onsite parking;
- Youth engagement, community education and counselling areas;
- Multipurpose office space that can be used for meetings, training and administration;
- Open space for community gatherings of up to 800 people to come together offering diverse services and opportunities;
- Safe pedestrian access off Invermay Road and connectivity to the Hub from Mowbray Heights Primary School;
- Electric charging facilities for vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters.
Local Tasmanian firm Anstie Constructions Pty Ltd was awarded the contract to deliver the Stage 1 early works package, which includes site remediation, demolition, stormwater and electrical supply works. These works are expected to be completed in early 2024.
Market industry engagement with pre-qualified contractors will now begin ahead of the main works tender package being advertised.
Construction is anticipated to start in early 2024, with the Hub planned to be operational in late 2025.
The Australian Government has committed $15 million, the Tasmanian Government $27.5 million and the City of Launceston Council a further $1.1 million to deliver the Hub, which is a key commitment of the Launceston City Deal.
“The Hub will become a new and much needed recreation and social centre, not just for Mowbray but the greater Launceston region,” said Tasmanian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Nic Street.
“It will be a welcoming, modern and fit-for-purpose facility that will give more locals the chance to get out and get active and to try a new sport or just come together as a community.
“It will become home to local and State teams, the Northern Tasmania Netball Association, and social competitions – there will be something for everyone, whether serious competition or just for a bit of mid-week fun.
“I look forward to watching the Hub take shape over the next two years as we work towards an opening in late 2025.”
Visit the Infrastructure Tasmania website to view a one-minute video providing a 360-degree representation of the planned facility, as well as additional artist’s impressions of the Hub.
