Sports and recreation hub under way at Mills Park

The turning of the first sod of soil today marked the start of a $47.

  • Turning of the sod marks start of $47.6 million Beckenham community facility

  • Sporting and recreation hub for east metropolitan area

The turning of the first sod of soil today marked the start of a $47.6 million community facility at Beckenham, in Perth's east metropolitan area.

At the ceremony, Local Government Minister Tony Simpson said Mills Park was the most significant project the City of Gosnells had ever undertaken.

The State Government has contributed $4 million to the development through the Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF).

"I commend the council for its foresight and investment in community facilities," Mr Simpson said.

The site, on the corner of Brixton and Ladywell streets, is a 24 hectare recreational space already used for sport and passive recreation.

The existing facilities needed significant redevelopment, and after many years of investigation, consultation, options and design development, a master plan for the site was finalised in December 2014.

"This means new community facilities with walkways, boardwalks, new sporting infrastructure, more car parking, better irrigation, rehabilitation of wetlands and waterways, a nature play space, piazza and youth space," Mr Simpson said.

Stage 1 works are expected to be complete by March 2016.

Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said the council received $2 million in CSRFF funds in the 2014-15 Forward Planning Round and a further $2 million in the 2015-16 round.

"This is a really exciting project that will create a community hub to increase sporting, leisure and social opportunities for the community, while preserving and celebrating the park's natural assets," Ms Davies said.

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Local Government Minister's office - 6552 6600

Sport and Recreation Minister's office - 6552 5500