Western Youth Centre redevelopment
Concept image: JPE Designs
Western Youth Centre (WYC), located on Marion Road, Cowandilla, is a long-established community facility that supports residents aged 0 - 99 years in sports and recreation pursuits. The current building, built in 1935 and then extended in the 1950s and 60s, is operating at near-full capacity, with 500 members regularly using the facility.
The facility has been earmarked for a $15 million redevelopment, with grant funds of $7.5 million being provided through the Australian Government's Thriving Suburbs Program.
The redevelopment of WYC is a strategic initiative to replace the ageing facility with a contemporary, 2-storey community and recreation centre that meets current and future needs.
It will include:
- Upgraded tennis ourts.
- New car parking spaces
- Cricket practice nets.
- Maintained soccer field/cricket oval.
- External storage sheds.
- External public toilet, drinking fountain, lighting, shelter and barbecue.
There will be enhanced seating and shading and new landscape designs.
Community feedback
Council consulted on a draft masterplan in late 2025 with 73% of respondents fully or partially supporting the proposal. Most recognised the need to replace the ageing facility, while some were concerned about the overall footprint of the proposed building, focussing on the need to preserve green space. As such, the draft masterplan has been revised to incorporate some of the community's feedback and to enhance the design, without altering its overarching objectives.
WYC final site master plan.jpg(JPG, 2MB)
Recent updates
Construction of the new Western Youth Centre is expected to commence in late 2026 and take around 12 months to complete. The existing Western Youth Centre will remain open and operational throughout construction, allowing programs and services to continue as normal.