Five new tennis courts, three (possibly five, if additional funding is secured) indoor squash courts, a golf clubhouse and a 3,000 sqm world class indoor gymnastics Centre of Excellence is all coming to Nolan Reserve on the corner of Kentwell Road and Pittwater Road in North Manly.
In 2020, Council agreed to Warringah Golf Club’s proposal to build a new clubhouse at Warringah Recreation Centre (WRC) and also agreed to update the current tennis and squash facilities, which were no longer worth maintaining due to increasing cost and ageing facilities. In addition, Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club secured a 30-year lease arrangement with Northern Beaches Council to take over the space of the former North Manly Bowling Club.
“With construction underway across the road for a new golf clubhouse, squash and tennis facilities, North Many will soon be home to a range of fantastic new recreational facilities,” Northern Beaches Council Mayor, Sue Heins said.
Construction has started on the north side of Kentwell Road, so we thought we’d give you an update on everything that’s coming with the multi-sport hub.
Tennis and Squash Courts
The $7 million funding of the construction of the squash facilities and tennis courts (plus easter carpark) is funded by a $3 million grant from NSW Office for Sport’s 2022/2023 Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund and another $4 million from Council to fund residual costs for the facility build and other constructions costs, such as swale and stormwater works.
This will see three indoor squash courts with spectator seating, with the capacity to expand to five courts if Council secures further funding.
Five new synthetic tennis courts will also be constructed with umpire chairs for official matches, as well as public amenities, community storage, floodlights for night play and changeroom facilities.
Proposed hours of operation at WRC will be 7am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, and 8am to 7pm on Sundays.
Council will construct a 40-space eastern carpark which will include EV charging and accessible bays. A western carpark and pedestrian bridge over Brookvale Creek are planned for stage two, subject to funding, to improve parking and access.
A 12.5-metre golf barrier net will be funded and installed by Council to improve safety. Landscaping will include tree replacements and stormwater upgrades to support better drainage and environmental sustainability. An elevated pedestrian boardwalk will link the tennis courts, Kentwell Road footpath, Warringah Golf Club, carpark, and nearby recreation areas. A new pedestrian crossing will also be introduced to improve safety and movement across the site.
Early civil and stormwater works are currently being undertaken at the site with construction of the first stage of the eastern carpark scheduled for mid-2025, with the squash courts starting late 2025, and tennis courts starting early 2026.
Council expects the eastern carpark to take 12 months to complete, with a further 12 months for the tennis courts, squash courts and landscaping.
Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club (MWGC) Centre of Excellence
MWGC secured a 30-year lease arrangement with Council to construct, fund and operate a world class indoor gymnastics Centre of Excellence at Nolan Reserve (where the former North Manly Bowling Club once was).
It will be a state-of-the-art, multi-sport facility which will serve as a premier venue for community recreational sport, national elite training clinics, competitions and coach education.
The development application was approved by the Sydney North Planning Panel in August 2024, and is expected to cost $10 million. MWGC secured a $5.15 million grant from NSW Office of Sport’s Centre of Excellence Grant Funding which they are seeking to extend the timeline (as the funding was granted in 2022/23). Late last year, MWGC secured an additional $5.15 million grant under the Federal Government Thriving Suburbs Program.
“When complete, the Centre of Excellence will become one of NSW’s most significant hubs for gymnastics and trampoline sports,” Mayor Sue Heins said in a statement at the time of MWGC securing the Federal grant.
Member for Warringah, Zali Steggall OAM added the Centre for Excellence will add a significant economic and social benefit to the local community.
“[The Centre will] nurture future sporting success and supporting the talent pathway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics,” she said.
“With over 70 per cent female participation at the Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club, the funding will safeguard female sporting success, bringing wider benefits to the whole community.”
Warringah Golf Clubhouse
Manly Observer recently reported on Warringah Golf Club getting the go-ahead to build their new $8 million clubhouse at WRC after selling their former clubhouse on Condamine Street in 2021.
The new clubhouse, fully funded by the Golf Club and located next to the front nine holes of the golf course, will offer dining facilities and event spaces, a Pro Shop and office administration spaces. Construction with Prime Projects will begin in July 2025 and is expected to be completed within a year.
You can read about it in more detail here:
$8 million Warringah Golf Club House approved for Warringah Recreation Centre
But what about all the other sports Beaches’ residents participate in?
While WRC and the new Centre for Excellence is a multi-sport facility, not all sports can squeeze in.
On Council’s website, they explain they have recently upgraded facilities allowing basketball, netball and pickleball to be played at other sites, including Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields and Lionel Watts Reserve, Frenchs Forest, as part of their 2022 Recreation Strategy.
For a full list of Council’s sports and recreation facilities, you can find that information here.
