NSW Waratahs unveil plans for high-performance sports and community centre in Daceyville
THE NSW Waratahs have unveiled plans for a high-performance sports and community centre in Daceyville marking the club’s intention to make the suburb its long-term home.
Southern Courier
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THE NSW Waratahs have unveiled plans for a high-performance sports and community centre in Daceyville.
The facility will be open to the public and marks the club’s intention to make the suburb its long-term home. The Super Rugby side is working with architects on the design but no date has been set for completion.
Waratahs chief executive Andrew Hore said he wanted to open up the centre to the community.
“That’s one of the reasons we left Moore Park,” Mr Hores said. “We feel we didn’t have a strong connection with the community. We have that here but we want it to grow. If we sit in a little cocoon, in a bubble, that’s when you get problems. We want to be part of the wider community.”
The club moved to the UNSW rugby ground in a partnership with the university this year. The new centre will feature two storeys with a gym for the Waratahs and a gym for UNSW students on the ground floor.
There will also be a community centre and a charity hub where the Waratahs will help build their associate charities The Kids’ Cancer Project and mental health organisation batyr. The second floor will house Waratahs administration staff and there are plans for a Waratahs’ museum.
“You are talking about a 145-year-old brand,” Mr Hore said. “There are some fantastic items which are just stored away. The idea is to have groups and schools coming through.”
There will also be a lecture theatre where club coaches and nutritionists can give talks to visitors and schools groups. The new building will be built at the southern end tennis courts next to Banks Ave. However, Mr Hore said he was keen to ensure it remained a multi-sports complex.
“We want the hockey pitches, we want the local footy club, we want there to be that mix. That’s what makes it vibrant and exciting. The more my players realise they are role models in the community, generally that goes with an improvement professionally.”