Northern Beaches Council is proposing to develop a new concept for an enhanced multi-sports facility at District Park that will provide greater community benefit including additional facilities such as more indoor sport courts and community space.

This follows the withdrawal of the top ranked tenderer, Arena REIT due to commercial reasons.

Mayor Michael Regan said across the Northern Beaches there are many assets that are in desperate need of upgrades. The model to partner with Arena was one way Council could have secured significant investment to deliver a high quality community sports facility, now Council will take the lead and will investigate funding the enhancements at District Park to bring it up to the standard the community expects.

“This is the chance to enter into a new phase of planning with the community to build on the potential of what has already been proposed and add even more value for the community,” he said.

“We are looking forward to working with the Warringah Golf Club and entering into a new dialogue to secure the long term future of the 18-hole golf course to ensure the course is upgraded for the benefit of its members.”

“We’ve all wanted the same thing all along – a multi-sports facility for the whole community that is expertly run and enjoyed by a range of sports users.”

“We are listening to the community and want a strong partnership to deliver this great community asset so we’ll be proposing to establish a Community and Council Advisory Group as part of a broad community engagement program.”

The options for the upgraded facility will be tabled in a report due to come to Council in early 2019.