UrbanGrowth NSW will today officially hand over a $3m lakeside neighbourhood centre to Blacktown City Council as part of its award winning masterplanned community at The Ponds.

The Lake Neighbourhood Centre features over 650m² of internal and external spaces and an adjoining 2,000m² landscaped park with a children’s playground, informal performance space, play equipment and shelters. The design was influenced by the centre’s bushland setting, as well as its lakeside environment.

The new centre supports the existing community hub on Riverbank Drive, which opened in 2015.

 “These two facilities reflect UrbanGrowth NSW’s commitment to building strong communities in our masterplanned developments,” said UrbanGrowth NSW’s Head of Western Sydney Projects, Matt Beggs.

“We hope to see the same success here as at the Riverbank Drive community hub which has been embraced by many community groups for various activities including exercise classes, birthday parties, children’s play groups, and learning classes.”

Mayor of Blacktown City Council Stephen Bali welcomed the new facility.

“This neighbourhood centre complements our portfolio of 28 neighbourhood centres and 5 Community Hubs which Blacktown City Council has delivered for the local community.

“With over 348,000 residents calling Blacktown City home, it is vital that quality infrastructure such as this is readily available to accommodate the needs of our growing community.

“UrbanGrowth NSW has again delivered an iconic building that will provide significant opportunities for the Blacktown community. We look forward to partnering with them again in future developments.”

UrbanGrowth NSW managed the project, with building architect and lead consultant Brewster Hjorth Architects, and the landscape architecture designed by Taylor Brammer.

“The building is made up of two pavilions which are simple yet elegant, contrasted by a playful curved wall which showcases aboriginal artwork to present a bold entry statement. The internal spaces open onto the centre’s verandah to encourage a connection between the internal and external areas,” said Brewster Hjorth Architects’ Architect, Maria Colella.

“It is anchored by the timber sculptural central spine that is used to transverse the building allowing for the parkland and built form to fuse seamlessly, and strengthened by its material palette of steel, timber and glass for texture and colour.”

The Lake Neighbourhood Centre incorporates steel artwork designed by local indigenous artist Chris Edwards.

“The artwork, called Bloodlines, reflects the way people are connected through place, kin and community. Bloodlines wraps around the entry to the building, both inside and out, and symbolises the way the community welcomes and nurtures people,” said Mr Edwards.

Mr Edwards was engaged through UrbanGrowth NSW's Creative Shift Project which supported visual artists to undertake public art projects.

An open day for the new Lake Neighbourhood Centre will be held on Sunday 16 October to showcase the facility to the community.

It is located adjacent to Ironbark Lake on the corner of Spearmint St and Camomile St in The Ponds.