04 December 2025

In Focus: Sport & Recreation.

Building Stronger, Healthier, and More Connected Communities.

Sport and recreation play an essential role in encouraging healthier, happier, and more connected communities. At Newpol, our work in delivering high-quality sporting and recreation facilities contributes directly to improving the health and wellbeing of people across Victoria.

Each sport and recreation facility we construct is more than a project—it is an investment in healthier lifestyles, stronger social connections, and long-term community wellbeing. By building these facilities, we are not simply delivering infrastructure — we are helping shape stronger futures.

Research consistently shows that access to sport and recreation facilities has a profound impact on community health. People who engage in regular physical activity significantly reduce their risk of heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. For children, frequent exercise improves concentration, behaviour, memory and academic performance. Studies also confirm that physical activity enhances cognitive function, supports positive mental health, and builds confidence and resilience — habits that are essential to establish early. These values are reflected in our portfolio of work. Each facility we deliver is designed with purpose by our clients: to provide accessible, inclusive and contemporary spaces that support active lifestyles.

Pinks Reserve in Kilsyth is a valued and well-loved community precinct, home to the Kilsyth Sports Centre, which accommodates basketball, badminton, table tennis, netball, football, cricket and softball. As part of Yarra Ranges Council’s Pinks Reserve Masterplan, Newpol was engaged to construct the new Gary Tait Sporting Pavilion, the final component of the Masterplan’s third precinct. This two-storey pavilion provides clubs and visitors with upgraded change rooms, first aid spaces, a gym, and elevated social rooms overlooking the precinct. The facility now supports multiple clubs including the Kilsyth Football, Netball and Cricket Club. The objective was to improve disability access, introduce female-friendly amenities to support increased participation, provide additional and upgraded change room facilities, and enhance the social and spectator areas. Since its completion, the pavilion has enabled the hosting of major league (EFNL) events, supporting club growth and generating increased activity for local businesses.

Across Victoria, there has been a significant push to expand and strengthen women’s representation in AFL. The Victorian Government continues to invest in local clubs committed to increasing women’s participation, supporting initiatives that encourage long-term growth and inclusion for girls and women. This investment has delivered clear benefits for clubs that have established or expanded women’s teams. For Newpol, these initiatives have created opportunities to support this growth by delivering modern, equitable, and supportive facilities. Upgraded amenities enhance the appeal of local clubs, increase their ability to attract talent and sponsorships, and strengthen the small businesses and community organisations that rely on them.

Our work in Kilsyth continued with the Kilsyth Sporting Complex Redevelopment, a $9.4 million community asset designed to increase court capacity, improve accessibility and inclusivity, and incorporate wheelchair-friendly amenities. This project required highly considered tendering and detailed planning to manage flooding and other environmental challenges. The complex sits within a recognised flood zone, necessitating an elevated floor structure and extensive stormwater drainage provisions. With multiple work fronts operating simultaneously in a live environment, the project demanded precise coordination of deliveries, material handling, and site movements to ensure safety and efficiency throughout construction.

At Deep Creek Reserve in Doncaster East, we completed a new baseball pavilion for Manningham Council. This collaboration with Katz Architecture saw the delivery of a two-storey facility, which is now home to the Doncaster Baseball Club. The site, which is positioned alongside the Yarra River, is situated on a heavily treed and strongly sloping site. As a result, considerable civil retaining walls and ramping was required to provide access to the facility, with a series of walkways, ramps and stairs presenting terraced positions around the building. Careful consideration was given to navigate the sensitive retained trees that surround, and now complement the Pavilion.

This was a project that reinforced the impact improved sporting facilities can have on local communities. The Club's Vice President, Lachlan Craven expressed that the “completion of the new Clubrooms has been a game changer. For too long, we have been without adequate change rooms to support the diversity of our club. Now, we have additional facilities for our highly regarded Women’s Teams, and a unisex change facility for Umpires.” The club experienced significant growth, specifically an increase in their junior participation as a result of the improved facilities.

We also continue to support community health through the public and private education sector. Recent examples include the new sporting facilities at Moorabbin Primary School and Ilim College’s Kiewa Secondary Boys Campus.

At Ilim College, we recently delivered the school’s first indoor sporting facility — an impressive gymnasium hall incorporating a competition-grade basketball court, gym-weights room, viewing areas, change rooms and staff offices. Serving 463 students, this facility elevates the college’s sports programs and enhances their ability to host inter-school events. As noted by Fatih Buyukyazici, Chief Operating Officer, “The development was executed with precision and care, resulting in an inspiring and functional facility that has already transformed the campus experience for students and staff.”

"...resulting in an inspiring and functional facility that has already transformed the campus experience for students and staff.”

The Moorabbin Community Hub, delivered for the Victorian School Building Authority, includes a full gymnasium with spectator areas, a lobby, canteen and modern change room facilities. These multifunctional spaces are designed to support students’ growth beyond the classroom. Sport and extracurricular programs enrich academic learning by promoting physical wellbeing, teamwork, sportsmanship and social connection.

Across every project, our intention remains the same: to construct facilities that contribute meaningfully to the communities they serve. Sport and recreation provide far more than physical benefits — each facility we build represents a long-term commitment to healthier living, enhanced community cohesion and sustained social wellbeing. By continuing to deliver high-quality sporting environments across Melbourne, we support local councils, schools, and sporting clubs in building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.

In Focus: Sport & Recreation.

Sport and recreation play an essential role in encouraging healthier, happier, and more connected communities. At Newpol, our work in delivering high-quality sporting and recreation facilities contributes directly to improving the health and wellbeing of people across Victoria.

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