Construction on a major new Sport and Community Centre at Fremantle Park will commence this week.
The signing of a lease by the City of Fremantle and the newly incorporated Fremantle Park Sport and Community Centre's management committee on Friday has paved the way for construction on the new facility to start.
The project will see the Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club, Fremantle Lawn Tennis Club and Fremantle Bowling Club all housed in a single, purpose-built facility.
It will include the demolition of the existing tennis club and bowling club buildings, construction of the new centre, the installation of two new hardcourt tennis courts and a new synthetic bowling green.
The chair of the Fremantle Park Sport and Community Centre management committee, Laurie Apps, said members of all three clubs were jubilant that building contractors would be on site from the beginning of April.
"This project has been many years in the making, and a new sport and community centre, a new synthetic bowling green and new tennis courts will give a huge boost not only to the three clubs but also to the broader community," Mr Apps said.
"Fremantle Tennis Club, Fremantle Bowling Club and the Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club have been an integral part of Fremantle history for well over 100 years.
"And for the three clubs to come together on the very special Fremantle Park, right on the doorstep of the CBD, will ensure the future of the clubs for the next 100 years."
Mayor Brad Pettitt said the new centre would be a brilliant new community asset for Fremantle.
"The plans for the new building include three indoor function rooms, cafe, bar, commercial kitchen and an alfresco area and balcony overlooking the sporting areas," Mayor Pettitt said.
"The cafe and alfresco area will be open to the public to enjoy, the indoor function rooms will be available for hire to community groups and for private functions, and the sporting facilities will also be available to the public through casual hire.
"A report commissioned by the council back in 2011 recommended the clubs come together to share a new facility, so it's been a long road to get to this point.
"I congratulate everyone involved for their patience and dedication in bringing the project this far, and I can't wait to see the finished building."
The approved budget for the project is $4.1 million, with $1.85 million coming from the City of Fremantle, $1.85 million from the Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club and $400,000 from the state government's Community Sport and Recreation Facility Fund.
The three clubs also contributed an additional $180,000 to fund items that were outside the scope of the budget.
As a complementary project, the City of Fremantle will also build new public car park on Parry Street.
