The Parramatta Eels’ $60 million high-performance rugby league club facility is one step closer following the NSW Government’s announcement of a significant funding commitment towards the Kellyville Park Centre of Excellence and Community Facility.
Construction of the facility includes a high-performance training centre and ancillary uses, new recreation and community sports hub, a new 1500-seat grandstand and spectator mounding and additional car parking.
The facility – the cost of which has risen from a reported $40m last year – promises to deliver best-in-class, high-performance facilities for the club and support the development of future male and female rugby league players.
“Kellyville Park will not only provide a world-class high-performance facility for the Parramatta Eels NRL, NRLW and Elite Pathways teams, but will also be a precinct that will enable our Club to connect with the local community, cater to the changing needs of one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, and increase participation across all forms of rugby league for boys and girls from grassroots all the way up to the elite levels of the game,” Parramatta Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said.
“The strength of this project is shown by the considerable support it has received from all levels of government, as well as the NRL.
“On behalf of the club, I want to thank not only the State and Federal Government who have provided significant funding and support, as well as the Hills Shire Council who have shared our vision of building a world-class sporting precinct in North West Sydney that caters for elite and community sport side by side.”
With another State of Origin game looming, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the centre would confirm NSW’s status as the No.1 state for rugby league.
“The NSW Government’s investment in Rugby League Centres of Excellence is not only bridging the gap between elite sport and the general community but cements NSW’s position as the home of the NRL,” he said.
Also in Sydney, finishing touches are being made to the $75m Concord Oval Community and Sports Precinct, and training ground for the Wests Tigers, which will provide an indoor recreation centre, green open spaces, community rooms, and match-day facilities for local sports clubs.
From the Wests Tigers, the precinct will feature a state-of-the-art gym, recovery pools, sauna, steam room, as well as sports science, medical, and rehabilitation facilities.
It will also have men’s and women’s locker rooms, integrated classrooms, player wellness hubs, a fully equipped media studio and even an in-house barber!
