21.12.17
Design details have been unveiled for the Western Sydney Community and Conference Centre which will form part of the Panthers Group’s transformation of the Penrith Panthers precinct.
A staged concept proposal prepared by Turner Architects has been lodged with Penrith City Council for a community facility, conference centre, exhibition centre, hotel, retail premises and serviced apartments.
The first stage of the proposal provides a community centre, conference facility and new civic domain to deliver “a destination for connecting, engaging, learning and entertainment for the residents of Western Sydney and beyond.”
This is supplemented with landscaping and public domain improvements along Ransley Street, Panthers Link and Mulgoa Road and a secured, weather-protected basement carpark.
The estimated cost of works is estimated at $30 million.
The community centre will be located on an existing car park site and help revitalise the Riverlink Precinct as a key entertainment and recreation destination. A flexible conference facility would be capable of seating up to 1000 people or hosting a number of smaller functions.
To the west of the site lies the Panthers Club and I-Fly recreation facility, the ESQ1818 residential development to the north, existing fast food outlets to the south and Panthers training field and stadium across Mulgoa Road to the east.
Stage 2 will include a hotel and retail premises at the gateway to the precinct, adjacent to Ransley Street.
Stage 3 includes a serviced apartment building with flexible exhibition space to complement the conference centre facility.
Former Penrith Rugby League player turned property developer Lou Zivanovic received development approval earlier this yearfor the first stage of his $500 million residential development known as ESQ1818.
Zivanovic’s flagship company, CABE, submitted the proposal, which will deliver 850 apartments.
New Penrith hospital
The News South Wales state government has placed spending on infrastructure including health in western Sydney as part of a move designed to fend off criticisms of commitment to fund sporting stadiums.
The government has pledged $1 billion to redevelop the existing Nepean Hospital complex in Penrith as part of an “unprecedented” $5 billion investment in Western Sydney hospitals.
