$15m Leschenault Leisure Centre overhaul set to add extra courts, seating and accessibility facilities

Plans for a $15 million overhaul that will provide critical upgrades to one of the South West’s biggest sporting facilities have been approved by the State Government. Endorsed in 2019, the Leschenault Leisure Centre expansion project begun to take stride after the appointment of Perth-based architectural firm Hodge Collard Preston earlier this year, with State Government ministers now officially endorsing the project. At an estimated cost of $15 million, the expansion will include the construction of up to four new indoor courts, spectator seating, a retractable grandstand, a mezzanine level for events and a viewing platform. A creche, café, sports shop and extra storage have also been added to the upgrade list, with the planning and detailed design stage expected to be completed by May 2022. Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman, who visited the centre last week, said he was excited for the project which would “benefit the greater South West region”. “This is an exciting project that focuses on the principles of universal design to provide a sporting and recreation space that is welcoming and all-inclusive,” he said Added accessibility is another major part of the project with the inclusion of ramps for wheelchairs, a universal access toilet and facilities for wheelchair basketball. The project will be jointly funded through a grant of $3 million from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, $6 million in ratepayer funds as well as an unspecified Lotterywest grant amount. Shire president Paul Gillett said the project was a key priority to ensure the shire provided sporting facilities that met the needs of the growing population. “Upgrades to the Leschenault Leisure Centre are critical as we are already at capacity and we need to ensure we are meeting the current and future needs for the region,” he said. A period of design and community consultation is due to be completed by June, with construction set to begin in July and completed by September 2024.