By Cameron Tait
The Eagle has landed in Wyndham and it’s bound to set feathers flying.
Since it was first opened in 1978, the Werribee sports and fitness centre has been widely known as ‘the Rec Centre’ or just ‘the Rec’, but as part of its $47 million redevelopment it has been renamed.
It will now be known as Eagle Stadium.
Redevelopment works are already under way on the centre, which will eventually be the largest indoor court facility in the western suburbs.
Wyndham council has now revealed its new name as the countdown continues to a much-anticipated mid-year first stage opening.
When complete, the state-of-the-art stadium will include 12 courts for sports such as netball, basketball, table tennis and badminton.
The first stage includes eight new indoor multi-sports courts, four outside netball courts and a cafe with inside and outside dining area.
A 1500-seat show court, health club, creche, new administration areas and improved function rooms will be added before the centre’s completion in mid-2016.
Wyndham mayor Peter Maynard said Eagle Stadium was chosen as the new name after community consultation, including surveys and focus groups over summer. “It was agreed that a new name was needed to reflect the value of this major community asset,” Cr Maynard said. A council statement said the eagle was significant to people of the Kulin nation, traditional owners of the land, and was a “beautiful native bird that represents strength, power and skill – a fitting metaphor” for the sports and activities offered at the new stadium.
