Sport and community engagement is being reimagined in Tasmania, with early works on the new $43.6 million Northern Suburbs Community Recreation Hub at Mowbray now underway.
Located on Invermay Road, the Hub will be Tasmania's largest multi-purpose community sporting and recreation facility, with a building area of over 10,000 square metres of indoor space and additional outdoor activities.
The Hub is set to include:
- Four designated indoor courts for netball operated by the Northern Tasmania Netball Association (NTNA).
- Three indoor multi-use courts for basketball, volleyball, futsal, table tennis, wheelchair sports and other sporting and community recreational activities to address the current court shortfall.
- Rock climbing, gym, boxing and weightlifting facilities including an outdoor activities area.
- A designated gymnastics area to provide a wide range of programs for people of all ages.
- Café, commercial kitchen, and spectator amenities (grandstand seating) with change room facilities and onsite parking.
- Youth engagement, community education and counselling areas.
- Multipurpose office space that can be used for meetings, training and administration.
- Open space for community gatherings of up to 800 people to come together offering diverse services and opportunities.
- Safe pedestrian access off Invermay Road and connectivity to the Hub from Mowbray Heights Primary School.
- Electric charging facilities for vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters.
Construction is anticipated to start in early 2024, with the Hub planned to be operational in late 2025.
The Australian Government has committed $15 million, the Tasmanian Government $27.5 million and the City of Launceston a further $1.1 million to deliver the Hub, which is a key commitment of the Launceston City Deal.
Visit the Infrastructure Tasmania website to view a one-minute video providing a 360-degree representation of the planned facility, as well as additional artist's impressions of the Hub.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon Kristy McBain MP:
"Sport is central to Australia's identity - which is why we want more people outside of our big cities to have access to high-quality facilities for both recreation and competitive opportunities.
"Our $15 million investment in this multi-purpose Hub will mean that people of all ages can connect with the community like never before - whether that's sport, hospitality or education.
"It's fantastic to see early works progress, meaning people in Mowbray and across Launceston are one step closer to utilising this groundbreaking Hub."
Quotes attributable to Senator for Tasmania, Helen Polley:
"This fantastic development is an investment bringing together all three levels of government, as well as various community organisations, such as sporting associations and the PCYC.
"The Australian Government is proud to be contributing to increased community access to recreation and sport, providing positive effects on people's health and social lives through this project."
Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Hon Nic Street:
"The Hub will become a new and much needed recreation and social centre, not just for Mowbray but the greater Launceston region.
"It will be a welcoming, modern and fit-for-purpose facility that will give more locals the chance to get out and get active and to try a new sport or just come together as a community.
"It will become home to local and State teams, the Northern Tasmania Netball Association, and social competitions - there will be something for everyone, whether serious competition or just for a bit of mid-week fun.
"Supporting the new Northern Suburbs Community Recreation Hub is just one way the Rockliff Liberal Government is helping more Tasmanians to get active.
"I look forward to watching the Hub take shape over the next two years as we work towards an opening in late 2025."
Quotes attributable to City of Launceston Mayor, Matthew Garwood:
"The City of Launceston is thrilled that work is underway on the new Northern Suburbs Community Recreation Hub.
"An incredible project that repurposes a former industrial facility in Mowbray into a contemporary community space, providing much needed new netball courts and multipurpose courts, as well as facilities for gymnastics, rock climbing and community education and training.
"This project represents one of the biggest investments in the Northern Suburbs in decades and will bring a host of social, economic and cultural benefits to our city."
