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10 December 2024
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Ordinary Meeting of Council
A motion was resolved by Council to undertake this work.
The Leeming Recreation Centre (LRC) is nearing the end of its operational lifespan, with parts of the facility no longer meeting current standards or being fit for purpose. With approximately five years remaining on the existing commercial tenancy, there is an opportunity to assess the City's future needs and explore viable options for the centre's future provision and management.
At nearly 40 years old, many elements of the facility no longer meet industry standards or are considered fit for purpose. While there has been limited major investment over time, the centre is recognised as a highly valuable community asset. Residents have told us it plays an important role locally, particularly given the lack of indoor multi-court facilities across the state and the versatility of its indoor cricket nets, which are also used for sports such as netball.
PAATSCH Group has been appointed as the consultant to complete a detailed needs analysis for the LRC. The scope of works includes assessing and clearly defining the community infrastructure needs to support the City of Melville and the LRC’s surrounding catchment area, exploring potential commercial opportunities that align with these needs, conducting a pre-feasibility study to evaluate various options for the future of the facility, and engaging with stakeholders to gather input and insights. The consultant will then provide a comprehensive report to the City to support informed decision-making regarding the future of the Leeming Recreation Centre.
About the site
Located at 55 Farrington Road, Leeming, the LRC is situated in the City’s southeast, close to the border with the City of Cockburn. It is approximately 500 metres from the nearest northbound on and off ramps of the Kwinana Freeway.
The LRC is surrounded by:
- Leeming Senior High School to the north
- Robert Weir Park to the south and west
- Peter Ellis Park to the east.
What is happening now?
Following consultation with local groups and centre stakeholders, the Needs Analysis for the Recreation Centre was noted by Council at the June 2025 Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Council has now endorsed the commencement of a Pre-Feasibility Study to explore future options for this important community site. This study will look at what’s possible and practical, considering the social, economic, and environmental needs of the centre and the surrounding precinct.
There has been no decision to close the centre, and it will remain open and operating. Once the study is complete, a report is anticipated to be presented to Council at the February 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting for direction on next steps. This is expected to include further planning for the recreation centre and the wider precinct, along with opportunities for the community to share their feedback.
Opportunities to get involved
Right now, you can stay up to date by clicking ‘Follow Engagement’ at the top of this page, and if Council progresses to a master plan and detailed feasibility study, the community will be invited to help shape its future.
FAQs
The Council resolved to undertake this work at the December 2024 Ordinary Meeting of Council. The minutes of this resolution can be found in the document library below.
At nearly 40 years old, the facility is showing its age and no longer meets the needs of its users as it once did. With five years remaining on the current commercial lease, we have a timely opportunity to explore the future needs of the facility and lay the groundwork for long-term planning across the precinct.
There has not been any decision to close the centre and the centre will remain open and operating.
Pending the completion of the needs analysis and assessment of options (pre-feasibility), the work will be presented to Council for further direction.
It is envisaged that further planning work will be required for the LRC and wider precinct and that a comprehensive community engagement will be undertaken as a part of this work.
Following the completion of the needs analysis and pre-feasibility study, and Council being briefed, additional planning will be required and wider community engagement will occur at this time.
The City of Melville Council is the ultimate decision maker with regard to the provision and services provided from the LRC. Initially, the Council provided direction for a needs analysis to be provided to the June 2025 Ordinary Meeting of Council. Further direction is expected to be provided by Council on the basis of the Needs Analysis.
The City will be working closely with Leeming Senior High School and the Department of Education, who are key stakeholders in the facility.
Striker Indoor Sports and Fitness, the current facility operator, will also be actively engaged to understand how the centre is being used and to discuss future aspirations. Striker will continue to operate the facility throughout this process, with a lease in place until November 2029.
Sub-tenants Southern Cricket and Play2Learn Kindy are also being consulted.
The sporting clubs who are using Peter Ellis Reserve who use the adjoining changerooms will also be consulted as part of the process.
The findings of the needs analysis will explore what community sport and recreation needs are required as well as aligned commercial opportunities to adequately service the catchment and how these needs can be met, these considerations will include an aquatic space. As a part of the options analysis the viability of each option will be considered to determine the most suitable approach/es moving forward.
Timeline
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18 February 2025
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Appointed consultant
PAATSCH Group appointed to complete the needs analysis
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25 March – 30 May 2025
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Stakeholder engagement
Engagement with site users
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17 June 2025
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Ordinary Meeting of Council
Draft Needs Analysis noted, pre-feasibility study requested
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November 2025
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Presentation to Elected Members
Future options for the centre to be detailed within the Pre-feasibility Report
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May 2026
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Ordinary Meeting of Council
Anticipated report being presented to Council for their consideration
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Anticipated mid-2026
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Community update
Outcomes of next steps communicated with community and stakeholders
Contact us
| Contact | Geoff Edwards, Coordinator Sport ＆ Recreation |
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| Phone | 08 9364 0336 |
Location
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