Wiigulga Sports Complex

The Design Team working on the West Woolgoolga Sports Complex have already met with the Community Working Group behind this successful initiative to continue the ongoing detailed design work.

Alastair Milroy, Chair of the Community Working Group, said the community had always wanted to have a Complex that showcased the best of Woolgoolga and the Northern Beaches. “As a local I have no hesitation in saying that we deserve a world-class community facility for our youth, our families, visitors and everyone. It’s great to be working with Council and a team of global and local talent that will craft the West Woolgoolga Sports Complex into the facility we always hoped for.”

The West Woolgoolga Sports Complex is being project managed by APP and the Principle Design Consultant is Populous, a renowned sports architecture practice. Local consultants including civil engineers De Groot & Benson, geotechnical engineers Regional Geotech, ASP3 electrical and field lighting designers Alan Kneale Electrical, surveyors Newnham Karl Weir & Partners and quantity surveyors Del Consulting are also part of the design team.

“It’s vital that the community – via the Community Working Group – continues to provide input as the Complex begins to take shape, as it has driven this project from the beginning,” said Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight. “We see the West Woolgoolga Sports Complex as a key project to help the local economy and community begin to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hopefully the first of many such post-pandemic projects that will provide jobs and an economic boost for local families and businesses.”

Populous Architect, Belinda Goh, said the Complex will become a key community asset for creating healthier, more connected communities in the local area and for Coffs Harbour.

“Populous has brought together an exceptional team with global design experience and local knowledge to ensure the WWSC will become a thriving and attractive place for people of all ages, gender, ability, cultural and social backgrounds to visit, play and come together.

“We understand the importance of supporting sporting pathways – but also supporting community groups and organisations and the creation of this facility will instil a sense of pride for current and future generations. After recently engaging with the various local community groups we understand their enduring passions to create this important place for the community and working together we will strive to deliver real value for the community through the design and delivery of this facility.”

The West Woolgoolga Sports Complex has three main components:

• West Woolgoolga Playing Fields catering for AFL and Cricket, as well as multi-use fields with lighting, drainage and amenities (Playing Fields stage 1).
• Northern Beaches Multi-Purpose Centre with two indoor courts (Basketball and Netball), stage, kitchen, multi-purpose rooms, amenities (Multi-Purpose Centre stages 1 and 2).
• Civil works including roadways, shared pathways, carparks and services.

The announcement of a $10m Australian Government grant towards the West Woolgoolga Sports Complex has been welcomed with delight by Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight.

“This is absolutely fantastic news for Woolgoolga and the Northern Beaches and I’d like to congratulate the local community for their commitment and enthusiasm to this project. Their support and drive – particularly that of the committee led by Alastair Milroy – have been vital in seeing this project come to life,” she said.

“It’s also very exciting to see all three levels of government come to the table and commit to funding this project. It underlines how important we all see this development for the future of Woolgoolga, the Northern Beaches and the wider area.”

The project is forecast to cost $24.7m. Council has provided $6.7m, the NSW Government $8m and the Australian Government has now announced a further $10m.

Alastair Milroy, Chair of the Community Working Group said: “The support from the local community, including their commitment of funds towards the project, has been outstanding. This is a great example of sporting, community and cultural groups working together with Council and government to realise the vision.”

The West Woolgoolga Sports Complex has three main components:

• West Woolgoolga Playing Fields catering for AFL and Cricket, as well as multi-use fields with lighting, drainage and amenities (Playing Fields stage 1).
• Northern Beaches Multi-Purpose Centre with two indoor courts (Basketball and Netball), stage, kitchen, multi-purpose rooms, amenities (Multi-Purpose Centre stages 1 and 2).
• Civil works including roadways, shared pathways, carparks and services.

The project is supported by Coffs Harbour City Council’s adopted ‘Sports Facility Plan’ and ‘Indoor Sport Study’.

Detailed design, funded by Council, is already well underway. Some site works are due to begin later this year with major construction works to start in early 2021. Construction is anticipated to take two years.

“The West Woolgoolga Sports Complex is going to play a major role in increasing the health and wellbeing of residents of all ages in the area through increased participation levels in sport and active recreation, as well as the social connections that will result,” said Nikki Greenwood, Council’s Group Leader City Prosperity.

“Plus it will provide a safe and inclusive community and sporting precinct that will cater for a wide variety of uses, people and events.”