The New South Wales government has committed funding for the development of a new $15-million Disability Sport Centre of Excellence, designed by Lahznimmo Architects.
Delivered by Blacktown City Council in partnership with Disability Sports Australia, the centre will be a multipurpose indoor training facility for athletes with disability, complete with bespoke and flexible amenities designed to allow athletes to train around work, family, educational and additional commitments.
The centre will be built within the Blacktown International Sports Park and will complement the $100 million Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology hub (BEST), designed by ARM Architecture, slated to open early 2023.
Lahznimmo director Hugo Cottier said accessibility was not simply an overlay for this project: it is “wrapped up into the DNA of the building”. Once complete, it will be a truly inclusive, sports-oriented community centre.
“With this project, it is not just about designing for compliance with accessibility standards – it is about universal design,” said Cottier.
Architectural render of the Disability Sport Centre of Excellence.
Image:
Lahznimmo Architects
Blacktown mayor Tony Bleasdale said council was proud to partner with Disability Sports Australia to deliver the specialist facility for athletes of all abilities. “This partnership with Disability Sports Australia marks an exciting new era for sport and health in Western Sydney, and will provide a boost for generations of athletes to come,” he said.
Sports minister Alister Henskens said the government is investing in community sporting infrastructure through the Centres of Excellence program, aiming to improve talent pathways and community engagement for all sporting codes.
Chief executive of Disability Sports Australia Murray Melbourne added the project would set a new benchmark for inclusive community sporting facilities and would be vital to support established disability programs across the state.
“The holistic structure of BEST brings great collaboration from health and research education partners to optimise benefits for athletes for specific adaption sports,” said Melbourne.
Construction on the new centre will start in 2023 and is slated for completion late 2024.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
