PERRY PARK ALEXANDRIA

In previous lives Perry Park was a sewage farm and rubbish tip, and in 2019 the Perry Park Recreation Centre was opened.

Council will now revamp the 16,000 square metre outdoor area next to the recreation centre and construct a FIFA-sized multipurpose synthetic sports field for hockey, soccer, rugby league, rugby union, junior AFL9s, Oztag and touch football, with lighting and spectator seating.

“This expanded facility in Perry Park Alexandria will provide south Sydney families with opportunities to play sports, like futsal and basketball, all year round,” City of Sydney mayor Clover Moore said.

“This area is home to a growing community, with more families choosing to stay and raise kids. Our new sports centre, beautifully designed by Candalepas Associates, will help meet the community’s recreational needs.”

“We’ve just finished consulting the community on this project and are now incorporating their ideas as part of the design development process.

The pandemic has reinforced how valuable recreation and green space are to relax and recharge, connect with nature, exercise and socialise – especially for people living in high-density neighbourhoods.

I look forward to shooting some hoops with the young netball and basketball players when Covid restrictions allow us to officially open this expanded facility to the public.”

The project responded to the council’s 2016 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Study by delivering local sports facilities close to the Green Square urban renewal area.

As part of the upgrade, change rooms will be built, as well as accessible toilets that will use recycled water and a covered outdoor area, and creating an open lawn where locals can relax or picnic.

Since 2004, the City of Sydney has completed over 250 major projects for City residents, including parks, playgrounds, pools and sports facilities, and expanding parks and recreational space for residents remains one of the City’s top priorities, according to the mayor.

As it has touched so much of the construction industry and stalled so many projects, the Covid-19 pandemic has also slowed progress on the Perry Park upgrade.

“Construction on this project was recently paused under current Covid-19 restrictions issued by NSW Health,” a city of Sydney spokesperson said.

“We are in the final stages of this project and expect work to be completed later this year, pending any further impacts of the current Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney.

Demand for the centre at Perry Park has been high and is increasing rapidly with local sports groups, schools and sporting organisations using the facilities regularly.

Sustainability is an important component on all our building projects. We are adding more solar panels to the roof of the centre, and the new toilet block will use recycled water.”

The spokesperson also noted that the project’s head contractor is Hutchinson Builders.

Councillor Jess Miller described the project as “an extension of our own backyards.”