La Trobe Sport has this week hosted a virtual tour of the recently completed La Trobe Sports Stadium - introducing the new venue to the industry, stakeholders and local communities.
A key component of La Trobe University’s ambitious $5 billion plan to transform its Melbourne Campus in Bundoora into a 'university city of the future', the new venue is the centrepiece of the $150 million La Trobe Sports Park.
Described by the University as "a world-class facility for teaching, research, community participation and elite sport”, the Sports Park houses a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility, an elite performance space and world-class sporting facilities to support major sports events, regular grass-roots competitions and community recreation opportunities for up to 10,000 local community members per week.
A hub for professional sports franchises and visiting elite sports teams, the La Trobe Sports Park is also a major regional sporting asset for the local community, bringing national, state and local sports organisations to Melbourne’s north.
Completed in January 2020, the new Stadium encompasses:
• Six indoor multi-purpose courts
• Sport science laboratories for biomechanics, sports analytics, exercise physiology and strength and conditioning
• Innovative office space for sport organisations to work within a high-performance sport environment
The new venue is also home to a number of commercial tenants including La Trobe Sport, the Northern Football Netball League, Softball Australia and Softball Victoria.
Designed by architects Warren and Mahoney in association with MJMA Toronto, the venue showcases innovative 6-Star Green Star facility features.
Images: The La Trobe Sports Stadium by night (top) and its sport science laboratory (below). Courtesy of Warren and Mahoney.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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