Hunter Sports Centre

  • Description Sports hub expansion
  • Location Glendale
  • Sector Community
  • Sub-Sector Community, Health, Lifestyle, Sport and Leisure, Wellness
  • Specialties Live Environment, New Build, Refurbishment
  • Contract Type Fixed Lump Sum, GC21
  • Delivery Method Construct Only
  • Client Lake Macquarie City Council
  • Architect CKDS
  • Photographer Tyronne Branigan
  • Videographer YourFilm
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The expansion of the Hunter Sports Centre, Kaiyu Nungkiliko, has transformed Glendale into a nationally significant hub for sport, health, and community. Its Awabakal name, meaning power, skill and success, was provided in consultation with local Aboriginal leaders.

Stage 1 introduced the Trevor Height Athlete Testing Facility, designed in partnership with the University of Newcastle to provide university grade performance testing. Significant civil works were undertaken as well as a full internal and external refurbishment of the existing gymnasium and the addition of a crèche for athletes and visitors. Stage 2 delivered a 4,505m², three-storey sport and community centre featuring function spaces, a café and commercial kitchen, a fitness centre, and improved access, parking, and entryways. Stage 3 completed the precinct with Australia’s only Trampoline Centre of Excellence, an elite 1,300m² arena with soaring 12m ceilings and seating for 400 spectators.

Delivered within a live and highly active precinct welcoming almost 600,000 visitors annually, construction required careful planning around safety, access, and ongoing operations. With an evolving design and multiple stakeholders, collaboration with the Client, consultants, and council partners was critical. Regular workshops and open communication ensured challenges were addressed proactively, enabling smooth progress and alignment with the Client’s vision.

6405 Hunter Slide 2

The centre integrates state-of-the-art technology and smart building systems, including competition control and photo finish equipment, advanced video and audio systems, security and access control, and building management systems to optimise performance. Sustainability was a core focus of the design, with the facility achieving a 4-Star Green Star certification through initiatives such as solar power generation, rainwater reuse, passive design, and energy-efficient systems.

The expansion has delivered a world-class athletics and recreation destination that strengthens the Hunter’s national reputation while providing inclusive facilities for community health, wellbeing, and connection.

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Render Fly Through

This architectural fly‑through reveals the full vision and showcases the expanded Hunter Sports Centre as a nationally significant hub for sport, health and community.

Drone Construction Video

A mid‑construction drone flyover captures the scale of works across the Hunter Sports Centre precinct, showing structural progress, civil activity and the staged delivery of new sport and community facilities.

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6405 Hunter Opening

Opening Ceremony

Representatives from all three levels of government cut the ribbon on 8th March at the site’s official opening, ahead of a community open day.

“The expanded Hunter Sports Centre will be a magnet for major sporting events for many years to come.”

“Not only that, it will nurture sporting talent locally and provides a massive injection for athletics – in particular trampolining – as Australia heads towards hosting the Olympic Games in 2032.”

Mayor Adam Shultz, Lake Macquarie

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