Sod turned at Armstrong Creek Sports Centre

CONSTRUCTION is progressing on the Armstrong Creek Sports Centre, with the first sod officially turned.

Head contractor Fairbrother Pty Ltd is leading construction at the site, which will include four indoor multi-sport courts, a café and gathering space, changing facilities, sensory room and car parking including electric vehicle charging spaces.

Opening out onto a civic plaza, the centre – located to the east of the Armstrong Creek Town Centre – will feature outdoor basketball and netball hoops, areas for skating and parkour, informal and nature play spaces, table tennis tables and a large, landscaped lawn suitable for hosting community events.

Environmental sustainability is a feature of the new design, with the centre registered to receive a Five Star Green Star certification.

The project has been designed by Warren and Mahoney Architects and is being delivered by Development Victoria in partnership with the Victorian government and the City of Greater Geelong, and is expected to be complete by late next year.

The Armstrong Creek Sports Centre is one of five projects in the Geelong and Surf Coast region and one of 16 projects across regional Victoria being built through the Victorian government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, and also includes a $6 million contribution from the federal government.

The centre is located on Wadawurrung Country, and Friday’s sod turning event included a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony conducted by Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles to mark the start of work on site and to recognise the project’s connection to Country.

“There’s a real sense of excitement in the Armstrong Creek community as work gets under way on this much-anticipated project,” Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said.

“It’s fantastic to see boots on the ground and shovels at the ready for the next stage of this state-of-the-art sports centre.

“As this growing community continues to welcome new families, it’s vital that we invest in local infrastructure that supports health, wellbeing and connection.”

Corangamite federal member Libby Coker said the centre would be a “legacy project” for Armstrong Creek.

“The four-court centre is so much needed, and I know local families will embrace it as soon as the doors are open.

“Once complete, this awesome project will be yet another vital piece of local infrastructure. I’m so excited that works are now under way.”

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj also welcomed the start of construction at the centre.

“The commencement of work on the Armstrong Creek Sports Centre marks an exciting milestone for one of Victoria’s fastest-growing communities,” he said.

“Just like the rest of Geelong, Armstrong Creek is brimming with passionate sports lovers, and this vital precinct will be the heart of their sporting future, catering to the region’s athletes for years to come.”