$52m Hunter Sports Centre expansion opens
Published on 08 March 2025
The $52 million Hunter Sports Centre, Kaiyu Nungkiliko expansion has crossed the finish line, delivering a world-class athletics centre and Australian-first Trampoline Centre of Excellence for the Hunter Region.
Representatives from all three levels of government cut the ribbon on Saturday 8 March at the site’s official opening, ahead of a community open day to be held on 29 March.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the upgrade meant Lake Macquarie was now primed to host national and international athletics and trampolining events.
“The expanded Hunter Sports Centre will be a magnet for major sporting events for many years to come,” he said.
“Not only that, it will nurture sporting talent locally and provides a massive injection for athletics – in particular trampolining – as Australia heads towards hosting the Olympic Games in 2032.”
The expansion was jointly funded by Lake Macquarie City Council, the Australian Government through its Building Better Regions program, its Local Regional Infrastructure program and its Changing Places funding, and the NSW Government through its Centre of Excellence Fund, its Essential Community Sports Asset program and its Regional Sport Facility fund.
It includes a three-level, 4500m2 sport and community centre, with community and function rooms, a health and fitness centre, offices and cafe.
The new Trampoline Centre of Excellence at the western end of the site includes a 1300m2 trampoline hall with ten trampolines, two tumbling strips, a foam pit, warm-up areas and grandstand seating for 400.
Hunter Sports Centre acting General Manager Michelle Preston-Poole said the Centre of Excellence would also cater for training and provide career pathways in other aerial sports, including skateboarding and skiing.
“The centre now boasts world-class facilities from one end to the other, making us one of the premier destinations in NSW for sport, health and wellbeing,” she said.
The expansion’s opening also paves the way for the University of Newcastle’s first permanent presence in Lake Macquarie, including the Trevor Height Athlete Testing Facility and the new sports and community centre.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said he was excited to see the opening of the sports centre and the opportunities that it would provide for students, the Lake Macquarie community and athletes across the region.
“Sport and university are a great match, and as we celebrate the university’s 60th anniversary, we’re very proud to continue our role in supporting local athletes and our community,” he said.
“This remarkable facility will also provide our Exercise and Sport Science students with invaluable practical experience, as they will run an exercise physiology clinic for the community from the centre. We look forward to seeing first-hand the many benefits the clinic and athlete testing facility bring to our region.”
The 29 March community open day will include site tours, trampolining demonstrations, live entertainment and free gelato and coffee.
The expanded centre’s dual name was provided by Miromaa Aboriginal Language and Technology Centre in consultation with Biraban Local Aboriginal Land Council.
In Awabakal language, Kaiyu means ‘power, skill and ability’, while Nungkiliko means ‘to be successful’ or ‘to obtain’.
Go to hsc.org.au for more information about the newly expanded centre.
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Shortland Pat Conroy:
“I’m thrilled that the Albanese Labor Government has delivered $10 million for these new, world-class facilities at Hunter Sports Centre.
“The upgraded Centre is expected to attract 570,000 visitors a year and deliver $16 million in flow on benefits to our local economy, and I can’t wait to see athletes from our community and from further afar in action here.
“On a personal note, as a father of two kids who have used the centre for years, I know how important the centre is to our community.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi:
“The community had been calling for this facility and I am proud to be part of a government that delivers for the Hunter."
"Sport is so valuable to the community for health and wellness, as well as a contributor to the local economy, meaning the impacts of this facility will be far-reaching."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport Steve Kamper:
“The NSW Government is committed to creating spaces and facilities that enable communities to enjoy and take part in sport at all levels.”
“This state-of-the-art facility will improve talent pathways and community engagement across sporting codes, helping to keep people healthy, active and connected while celebrating the elite sporting talent of our state.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:
“We’re seeing more and more people heading to the Hunter, and with sport being such a big part of life here, it’s crucial that we have the right facilities to support it.
“We’re making sure that we have the facilities we need to showcase our beautiful region and support local talent, especially as we gear up for the 2032 Olympics.
"Thanks to a $13.8 million investment from the NSW Government, this vision has become a reality, and I’m excited to be part of opening the expanded facilities to the community.”
Quotes attributable to State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery:
“The Hunter Sports Centre was advocated for by my predecessor, the former Member for Wallsend, John Mills. I’ve taken up the advocacy and now we’ve seen it come to fruition. It is such an honour and a pleasure to be here for it’s opening.
“This is a terrific example of three levels of Government working together to create something that will be used by Hunter athletes for generations to come.”