Designs for Armadale's Aboriginal Interpretive Centre revealed

A distinctive Aboriginal Interpretive Centre will be built at Champion Lakes in Armadale, providing a facility for cultural events and traditional performances for the local Nyoongar community.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister and Armadale MLA Alannah MacTiernan said Nyoongar people had a valuable presence in the rich history of the Armadale-Kelmscott area.
"This new centre will celebrate the strong traditional presence which Nyoongar people have in the Armadale-Kelmscott region," Ms MacTiernan said.

"The centre honours a State Government commitment to local Aboriginal people when Aboriginal heritage clearances were given to allow Champion Lakes development to proceed."

Stage One of the project will cost $1.8million and will provide a public outdoor amphitheatre and change rooms, interpretive trails including bush tucker and medicine plantings and a canopy of punched metal depicting Nyoongar artworks.
The Minister said future stages would provide for a cafeteria and main display building.

"The Interpretive Centre will facilitate opportunities for intergenerational cultural exchange within indigenous communities," she said.
"Furthermore, it will promote an understanding of Aboriginal culture amongst non-Aboriginal communities."
A design panel, chaired by former WA Museum CEO Dr Dawn Casey, chose a design by Gresley Abas for the centre.

The panel believed the Gresley Abas design best met the Aboriginal community's needs and expectations in terms of the uses and activities envisaged for the centre and the site.   

The location of the Aboriginal Interpretive Centre within the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre and adjacent to an international standard rowing and canoeing course, is expected to add to the tourist demand for the centre.

Architects will now work with an Aboriginal Reference Group which will assist in guiding the development of the interpretive centre. The Armadale Redevelopment Authority will manage the overall funding and development of the project.

Works on Stage One of the Aboriginal Interpretive Centre will begin in the coming months.