Hawthorn Football Club is delighted to announce that the most significant and transformational project in its history, the Kennedy Community Centre, has taken a significant step forward with the Federal Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development, Hon Anthony Albanese MP, today announcing a $20 million investment into the project from an elected Labor Government.
The Kennedy Community Centre will provide a world-class sporting destination for the entire community, with plans for the centre built on the Kennedy family’s spirit of inclusion, working together and giving back.
Announcing the funding, Federal Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development, Hon Anthony Albanese MP spoke of the important impact the Kennedy Community Centre will have on the local community.
“At the heart of the Kennedy Community Centre is the new Community Pavilion and Oval. This facility is built specifically for community use and engagement and will provide much needed gender equal football facilities as well as flexible program delivery and education spaces. A priority of the pavilion is the incorporation of a regional home for not-for-profit community organisations such as headspace and Deadly Choices,” Mr Albanese said.
Through the Kennedy Community Centre, Hawthorn will deliver community benefits and maximise community impact across a variety of sports and partnerships.
Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves said the facility would focus strongly on driving engagement with the Hawthorn family and the wider community.
“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in our vision is to deliver a facility that allows us to remain ahead of the game and enhance our capacity to give back to the community,” said Reeves.
“Working with the community of the City of Kingston it quickly became clear that we had an opportunity to build something really special, a place that could cater to the changing needs of the fast-growing region and increase participation in sport and recreation across the breadth of the community.
“We are one club with several teams, and the Kennedy Community Centre will cater for all of our elite football teams, both male and female, as well as our netball and wheelchair teams within the same precinct as community sport.”
Federal Member for Isaacs, Hon. Mark Dreyfus MP, also welcomed the commitment labelling the Kennedy Community Centre as a vital initiative with widespread support in the community.
The Kennedy Community Centre will feature:
● A main oval and the Harris Elite Training and Administration Facility which will cater for all Hawthorn teams equally
● A Community Pavilion and Oval built to ensure gender equal facilities and public amenities, specifically for community use and engagement
● A flexible education and learning spaces enabling delivery of flagship, partnered programs that mentor, lead, educate and inspire
● Administrative spaces for community and not-for-profit organisations to share the club’s resources, creating a healthy, inclusive and cohesive culture through participation and sport
● An indoor stadium for community basketball, netball, volleyball and wheelchair AFL
● A further two community ovals catering for community sport
Through its world-class facilities the Kennedy Community Centre will promote equality and social inclusion while facilitating greater outcomes for the community and stronger interaction between the club and its community partners.
The Kennedy Community Centre will be named in honour of club legend John Kennedy Snr, keeping his legacy alive for the next generation.
