Revitalised Kelvin sports centre brings competitive spirit back to life
Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan says the refurbished Game Point Sports Centre is improving the quality of life for Kelvin residents through accessible sporting facilities and community engagement.
The once vandalised facilities at the Game Point Sports Centre in Kelvin are now breathing new life into the community, with locals embracing the revitalised space as a hub for sport, recreation and social interaction.
After standing neglected and vandalised for 17 years, the facility on Meadway has been transformed into a multi-sport venue, featuring soccer, netball, volleyball and padel facilities that are now regularly used by the community.
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During her site visit at the sports centre on May 7, Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan said the return of active sporting spaces in the area has had a noticeable impact on residents’ lives.
“Looking at the comments on the community WhatsApp groups, it is such an active sports centre. There are continual teams and bookings taking place, and I think it’s actually making a real difference to the quality of the life of the residents in Kelvin,” said Coogan.
According to Coogan, the condition of the facility when she was appointed as the PR councillor in 2019 highlighted the urgent need for intervention.
“When I came into the ward as a PR councillor in 2019, I found that the facility was completely non-functional and devastated, with the clubhouse burnt out and also with no facilities that were working for residents to be able to use.
“At that stage, I approached the regional director, and I was informed that there was no budget to repair and restore the site. So this was quite a challenging situation. I then contacted the Sports and Recreation Department of Community Development, and we had a look at other possibilities to get the centre revived.”
Coogan said the Sports and Recreation Department then introduced someone who might be a possibility to look at going forward to offer a multidisciplinary sports facility for people in Kelvin.
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“The emphasis was that it must not be exclusionary. It must be for the people and the community of Kelvin to enjoy. So the Deen Team, whom we knew through Ashraful Aid in Marlboro Gardens, managed to secure sponsorship to restore and upgrade the sports centre.”
Although some operational challenges initially remained due to the length of time the centre had been standing empty and derelict, she confirmed that services have now been fully restored to the site.
Today, the revitalised Game Point Sports Centre, which officially opened in August last year, attracts sports teams, social players, and families looking for recreational spaces across the suburb.
“I’m really delighted that we now have the centre with services, and that it is now open and functioning all week and open to everyone.
“Long term, we’re looking at the clubhouse getting renovated and also being used for the community as well. This is a work in progress, but it’s a really positive story.
I am beyond delighted that we’ve got to this stage. It’s been very well run, and at this stage I believe it’s a real asset to both the area and to the residents who live in it.”
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