Construction begins on $4.7m Warnbro sports project

Rockingham business Shelford Constructions will begin a number of upgrades at Koorana Reserve, including the addition of new sporting fields and refurbishment of club rooms.

The $4.7 million project is aimed at providing more sporting opportunities to residents in Warnbro and surrounding areas.

Shelford, which has worked on a number of local and state government projects, will add two hectares of playing space to the current fields at Koorana Reserve, providing enough space for two soccer fields and a cricket oval, as well as upgrade the cricket practice area and clubrooms.

The business will also install a 75-bay carpark and new sports floodlighting.

City of Rockingham mayor Barry Sammels said the project was essential in supporting the growth of sporting clubs that use the reserve.

The City had developed a master plan for the site after identifying the potential for more space.

“[T]he upgrades taking place will ensure the likes of Port Kennedy Soccer Club and the Hillman Cricket Club are able to accommodate continued growth in membership,” Mr Sammels said in a statement on Thursday.

The project is supported by the state government’s Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Tony Buti said providing good quality facilities was important for fostering participation and growth in grassroots sport.

“Community sport plays a pivotal role in supporting the mental and physical health of participants as well as supporting young people develop into positive and strong contributors to their communities,” Mr Buti said.

The WACA and Cricket Australia have also contributed towards the project, along with funding under the federal government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

The redevelopment, designed by East Fremantle-based Lantern Architecture, is expected to be completed in early 2022.