Port Hedland Community Centre redevelopment officially opened

It’s off to the races for Port Hedland with the opening of a major revamped centre.

The $19.5 million redevelopment of the Port Hedland Community Centre, including new facilities for the Port Hedland Turf Club, was officially opened on Saturday.

The two-storey redevelopment means the turf club can cater for dance, martial arts, and sporting groups.

The new building includes two function spaces that can be divided into four, community spaces, toilets, changerooms, viewing areas, two massive kitchens, a judging box and a broadcast tower.

It also includes a refurbished stables.

It’s hoped the new centre will help Port Hedland attract more events, conferences and exhibitions and boost the town’s tourism industry.

The redevelopment means the turf club will be the emergency evacuation centre for the town in the event that an extreme weather event isolates it from South Hedland.

The upgrades are jointly funded by the State Government and the town, who contributed $10 million and $9.5m respectively.

Mayor Peter Carter said the first-class amenities would benefit the community and were a key part of the town’s vision to increase the residential population.

“This community centre will bring people together – with community and sporting groups being able to utilise it. It will also play that vital role as a public shelter in emergencies such as cyclones,” he said.

Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said the upgrades to the Port Hedland Turf Club facilities and stables would make it an exciting drawcard on the regional racing circuit.

“This redevelopment will be a wonderful new community hub for locals and visitors, not only giving them a newer and better place to get together but also a space where they can take part in a wide variety of sporting, art, cultural and recreational activities,” Mr Templeman said.

Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said the facilities had created many opportunities for the local community to meet, recreate and play sports.

“It is a fantastic outcome and I know the community will benefit for years to come,” he said.