Cockburn’s first purpose-built hockey facility will open to the public in mid-2019 with an elite synthetic turf playing surface lit by 300 lux LED flood lighting, only the third in Australia to boast the superior energy-saving lighting technology.
Grass practice fields will also be lit by 300 lux LED lighting, enabling Fremantle Hockey Club to expand its membership at the $6.53m facility on South Lake Drive, South Lake.
Work has begun on the Lakelands Hockey and Community Facility across two blocks of land provided by the City and the Department of Education, adjacent to Lakeland Senior High School.
The project will utilise a $1.25m State Government
Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund grant, $500,000 from Fremantle Hockey Club and $4.78m from the City of Cockburn.
City of Cockburn Recreation Manager Travis Moore said the state of the art facility would provide a fantastic opportunity for the community to access specialist Hockey turf facilities and allow for future growth of the game within the City.
“The new clubroom facility will also allow community members and groups to hire meeting room and function spaces for a variety of activities,” Mr Moore said.
“The facility is another example of the City’s commitment to providing community sport and recreation facilities to cater for all major sporting codes.”
Fremantle Hockey Club President Rob McPherson said relocating its club from Swanbourne Street, Fremantle to South Lake would facilitate its future growth to around 900 members within five years, with 80 per cent of growth predicted within the junior ranks.
Mr McPherson confirmed that due to synthetic surfaces increasing the quality and speed of hockey, the Lakelands turf surface would be tested to comply with full International Hockey Federation accreditation.
Lakeland SHS principal Alan Brown said the development was exciting for the South Lake community because it would allow his students to access an elite sports facility.
“The centre may also provide the school with the potential to expand our specialist program offerings from Touch Rugby and Music Technology to include a Hockey program in the future,” Mr Brown said.
The Lakelands Hockey and Community Facility will include an 885sqm clubroom and community facility available for hire, a clubroom, four change rooms, toilet facilities, storeroom, bar service, indoor function area, outdoor area and kitchen facilities.