Two iconic entertainment venues in Sydney – the Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall of Industries at Moore Park – will live on as a world-class entertainment, sporting and community precinct, thanks to a major investment from the NSW Government last week.
On Friday 5 October, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined Environment and Heritage Minister Gabrielle Upton and Sports Minister Stuart Ayres to announce the State Government’s $20 million investment in a $65 million-dollar revitalisation project.
“The Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion has a special place in the hearts of Sydneysiders. It has always been a location for the people and it is great to see that history embraced and respected,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This exciting new project will create a vibrant community place that respects the great cultural, architectural and heritage significance of these iconic venues,” she announced. The Hordern Pavilion will retain its position as a premier live music and entertainment venue under a major renovation that will protect its heritage value, while Royal Hall of Industries will soon form the Sydney Swans HQ and Community Centre.
The precinct will also be the new home of the NSW Swifts Netball Club, Sydney Swans Academy, a base for the future Sydney Swans AFL Women’s Team and Adam Goodes’ and Michael O’Loughlin’s GO Foundation and Clontarf Foundation for indigenous education, along with serving as an Australian Red Cross Blood Service donation centre.
“In addition to a public café and museum, the new space will house an international standard netball court and a multi-purpose recreation and function space that will be accessible to the community,” said Minister Upton.
“Attending concerts at the Hordern holds a special place in the memories of so many Sydneysiders and visitors, so it’s very pleasing to see that the future of this live music venue is now secured,” she commented.
Following a competitive tender process, the PlayOn Group, a partnership between PlayBill Venue Management and the Sydney Swans, were successful in securing the lease with the Centennial Park & Moore Park Trust for both venues.
Sydney Swans Chief Executive and Managing Director Andrew Ireland also commented on the announcement, stating that their vision is to establish a world-class facility that will enable their football club to grow, both through the establishment of a future Sydney Swans women’s team and by expanding on the school and community programs that they already deliver. Work is expected to get underway on the precinct by the middle of next year subject to design, planning and development approvals.