Work on Stage Two of the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence is officially underway after Club Chairman and Owner, Mr Michael Charlesworth, ceremonially began the removal of the old Tuggerah RSL building on Friday.
Charlesworth was joined by Federal Member for Dobell, Karen McNamara, site architect Greg Smith from MSK Group, Deputy Mayor of Wyong Shire Council, Councillor Lynne Webster, plus Club staff and players as the demolition to make way for a modern, six-story office block housing – among many businesses – the Mariners’ administrative department began.
The block will also feature a childcare centre, cafe and gym, and the remaining space will be available to be tenanted by local, national and international businesses and business people.
In fact, already 70 per cent of the six-storey office block has been leased or has an exercisable option to be leased by an array of companies or individuals.
In addition to the office block, the new business precinct will boast a number of on-site inclusions and nearby services including an expansive Medical Centre, all weather and grass sporting fields, plus the Club’s recently completed Aquatic Centre managed by YMCA.
“Our vision is to turn the site into the business and sporting hub on the Central Coast,” Mr Charlesworth said. “With the future planned development of a hotel and an extensive hospitality and function precinct, there will be no better location on the Coast to do business.”
Mrs McNamara is impressed by the Club’s investment in the region, and believes that the project ought to provide a boost to local jobs.
“This is a very exciting development for the Mariners as well as the broader Central Coast sporting community,” Mrs McNamara said.
“This latest development builds upon the recently opened $11.45 million Central Coast Mariners Sporting Campus which is delivering a number of benefits for the community such as improved sporting and recreational facilities.”
“By supporting our community and providing a boost for local jobs this project is an important step towards achieving this goal,” she said.
According to estimates, upwards of 75,000 people are expected to pass through the Club’s Medical Centre each year.
Already an average of 2,000 people frequent Soccer5s on the Club’s Centre of Excellence site each week.
And some 1,000 people are anticipated to work Monday to Friday in the Club’s office block.
Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence is home to 95 per cent of Central Coast Mariners first and youth team training, with the Club’s squads utilising the on-site training pitches and gym.
The Club also hosts its Foxtel National Youth League matches on the site.
