Official opening of Joondalup sport/leisure centre

25/4/94

The City of Joondalup's $16.5 million sport and leisure centre was officially opened by Premier Richard Court today amid top sporting action.

The Arena Joondalup's celebrations were kicked off with the Joondalup Falcons' first home game at the arena's impressive new football ground.

Mr Court said the Arena was another major development for Joondalup, along with the opening of the $80 million Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City by Christmas, the second CBD land release and the $5 million demonstration street in the inner-city precinct, City North.

The Premier said Joondalup had become the centre of the State's fastest-growing region with a fully integrated transport system and a balanced mix of civic, cultural, commercial, retail, entertainment, recreational and residential development.

"The private sector has thrown its weight behind the region and will pump $1.5 billion into infrastructure by the year 2021," Mr Court said.

"Joondalup already has a hospital, court complex, universities, TAFE college, major business park, recreational Central Park and growing commercial sector in the central business district."

The Premier said the Arena was an important component of Joondalup's development and the Australian way of life.

"The Arena provides the people of the northern suburbs with an impressive community facility where the whole family can relax or play together," he said.

"During its 18-month construction, the Arena provided more than 330 jobs and a big boost for the local economy.

"Now it provides a training ground for Western Australia's sporting stars of the future."

The world-class Arena Joondalup, a joint venture between LandCorp and the City of Wanneroo, is tipped to host major State, national and international sporting events in the future.

The facilities received an immediate workout this weekend with a host of activities, from a breakfast with the State's sports stars to raise money for young athletes to a community open day.

The 35-hectare site comprises the football field with 1,400-seat grandstand, synthetic and grass hockey fields, grassed athletics track which can also be used for hockey, four synthetic tennis courts, irrigation lake and room for about 1,000 cars.

Inside the two-storey, 12,000 square metre complex is a multipurpose sports hall with retractable seating for 1,800, which will accommodate a wide range of sports, exhibitions and community events.

There is also a fully-equipped health and fitness centre, including aerobics, function and meeting rooms, dining and creche facilities and administration offices.