Blacktown City Council Opens the First-of-its-kind Disability Sports Centre

Coming in hot to the Sydney sports facility scene is an incredible, multi-million dollar Disability Sports Centre that will provide more significant opportunities for athletes with a disability.

The $15-million-dollar project, led by Disability Sports Australia and the Blacktown City Council, is intended to set a new benchmark for inclusive community sporting facilities while improving talent pathways and community engagement for all sporting codes. What a feat! Here's everything you need to know.

Blacktown Council's Multi-million-dollar Disability Sports Centre Opening in 2024

The new Disability Sports Centre of Excellence is set to be built on the Blacktown International Sports Park site in Western Sydney's Rooty Hill and will complement the $100-million Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST).

The construction of such a facility is intended to enable lower-funded sports with disability pathways to work closely with Disability Sports Australia through their Sports Incubator to develop talent, build capacity, and gain participation ahead of the ebbing-ever-closer 2032 Olympic games. These sports include judo, volleyball, taekwondo, goalball, fencing and boccia. 

Mayor of Blacktown City Tony Bleasdale OAM said Blacktown Council was incredibly proud to partner with Disability Sports Australia to imagine and deliver a unique asset for sportspeople of all abilities.

"Blacktown City is a proud sporting city and we have a strong history of success and participation in disability sports at all levels," Mayor Bleasdale said. "This partnership with Disability Sports Australia marks an exciting new era for sport and health in Western Sydney." Hear hear!

About the New Disability Sports Centre of Excellence

The centre will be a multipurpose indoor training facility for athletes with a disability, complete with bespoke and flexible amenities designed to allow athletes to train around work, family, education and other commitments.

The architect, Lahznimmo director Hugo Cottier has designed a space that truly champions accessibility, ensuring it is built into the fabric of the structure and not as an afterthought. Cottier claims that disabled access is "wrapped up into the DNA of the building" as opposed to creating a design that simply complies with accessibility standards.

Once complete, the facility will be an impressively inclusive, sports-oriented community centre that will offer an incredible boost to disabled athletes for generations to come (cue a chorus of applause and celebration!).

Disability Sports Centre of Excellence Location & Opening Date

The new facility is set to be built at the Blacktown International Sports Park site in Western Sydney's Rooty Hill and is due to be started in late 2023, ready for completion in 2024. We can't wait to see the finished product! 

More New Openings in and Around Sydney

Nurragingy Reserve Playspace is Officially Open
Blacktown's Animal Rehoming Centre Gives Unwanted Pets a New Life
New Playground Opens at Buttenshaw Park Springwood

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