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Multicultural Arts & Sports precinct being planned for Belmore Sydney
by Syed Talal, Deputy Editor Sada-e-Watan Sydney
Hon. Tony Burke
"Multiculturalism needs a home. And that home should be Belmore." - Hon. Tony Burke MP, Member for Watson
The recently appointed Arts Minister Hon. Tony Burke MP has announced plans for a multi-million dollar Sydney Multicultural Arts and Sports precinct.
The plan is a joint initiative of Canterbury City Council, Sydney Olympic Football Club, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Federal Minister Hon. Tony Burke.
"Arts and sports have always played a strong part in the community of Sydney and of the South West region," Mr Burke said.
"The Multicultural Arts and Sports Precinct would bring these two together with a single precinct based at Belmore Sports Ground.
"I am astonished that there is no multicultural arts facility in our part of Sydney.
"Every other capital city in Australia recognises the importance of a multicultural arts centre. It’s about time Sydney does too.
"For more than a century, new immigrants have made their home in this part of Sydney. Even if they later move to other areas the connection to here remains.
"The stories that people bring with them are part of what makes us a community. The Multicultural arts and sports precinct will enable the sharing of all our different experiences to tell the story of our nation and our region."
About the precinct
The precinct will comprise two grandstands; one at the southern end of Belmore Oval in the area known to Bulldogs fans as the Kennel. The top tier of this stand will hold office and administrative facilities and a visual arts centre. The second grandstand will be at Peter Moore Field where Sydney Olympic play, this facility will also have office and administrative facilities, as well as facilities capable of being used for performance or visual arts.
In addition, the precinct will be linked by a designed pathway detailing the story of Indigenous arts and sport through to the waves of immigration from every continent and the Pacific.
The proposal has applied for funding under Round Four of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF). The project will commence after funding has been approved.
