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Hunter Region Athletics and Gymnastics Centre

The new $9 million Hunter Region Athletics and Gymnastics Centre at Glendale was opened on the 13th February 1999 and is considered to be one of the premier sporting venues in NSW. It was a 'jewel in the regions sporting crown' and 'It would help entice international training squads for next year's Olympic Games and provide long term world class facilities for local youth' according to premier Bob Carr who officially opened the Stockland Drive Centre. Lake Macquarie Mayor John Kilpatrick and John Mills, member for Wallsend, assisted Mr Carr at the opening ceremony.The idea for a premier sporting facility for Lake Macquarie began to be discussed in the early 1990's. In 1997 the council received a $2 million sports grant to build a regional gymnasium with the proviso that it be built within 15 months. 11ha of the 68 ha of State Rail Authority land was earmarked for the athletic centre. Suters architects Snell were commissioned as architects with Civilake responsible for the majority of the construction including laying the base course for the running track . All construction was carried out to international standards and work was expected to be finished mid-1997. Delays occurred when a colony of Squirrel gliders was discovered habituating the site as well as nine significant Aboriginal artefacts. Yet another delay was caused by problems resulting from a Land Contamination audit. Lastly, a rare plant called 'Black eyed Susan' (Tetratheca juncea) was also discovered on the site. With all issues dealt with and after much frustration the centre was eventually completed in record time. International athletes trained there in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Reference

http://www.hsc.org.au/index.php

Lake Macquarie (N.S.W.). Council & Forest Fauna Surveys 1998, Report on the clearing of habitat trees Hunter region amenities and gymnastics centre Glendale, Lake Macquarie City Council, [Speers Point, N.S.W

Lake Macquarie (N.S.W.). Council & ERM Mitchell McCotter Pty. Ltd 1996, Strategic water management plan for proposed Hunter regional athletics facility and business complex Glendale, Lake Macquarie City Council, [Speers Point, N.S.W

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