A concept to build a new co-located clubhouse and community facility at the Fremantle Public Golf Course and Booyeembara Park has been endorsed by a committee of Fremantle Council.
The upgrade of High Street by Main Roads WA will encroach onto two holes of the existing golf course and require the demolition of the existing clubhouse. It also required the recent demolition of the community facility on the corner of High Street and Montreal Street.
As part of the High Street project Main Roads will fund a program of accommodation works including the temporary reconfiguration of the golf course to ensure it can remain open for the majority of the construction period and some long term improvements, including the permanent realignment and redesign of the course, a new club house and a suitable replacement for the community facility.
The council’s Finance, Policy, Operations and Legislation Committee has authorised City officers to progress with the design of a co-located clubhouse and community facility.
Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said combining the two facilities would maximise the benefits for the both the golf course and Booyeembara Park.
“There’s no question the existing golf course clubhouse has seen better days and there are only basic facilities at Boo Park, so it makes a lot of sense to build a single new building that will service and enhance both,” Mayor Pettitt said.
“Sharing things like kitchen facilities, toilets and parking means we can get a lot more bang for our buck because of the reduced design and construction costs, and it will deliver reduced running costs as well.
“It will provide golfers with a fantastic new clubhouse, and also give visitors to Boo Park the new community facility a place to relax and enjoy a coffee with a nice view of the park.”
It’s anticipated the new community facility would provide a flexible space that would be available for hire for a range of uses including functions, exercise classes, community meetings and playgroups.
The City has engaged some of Australia’s most respected designers to reconfigure the golf course, with the condition that it remain a nine-hole course with comparable driving range and practice facilities.
There’s also the potential for additional upgrades including a covered and lit driving range and mini golf.
The reconfiguration of the golf course and the design of the new clubhouse and community facility will be subject to further community consultation.
Upgrade of High Street is being undertaken by Main Roads WA to reduce congestion and improve safety along High Street and at the Stirling Highway intersection.
It consists of a new roundabout at the intersection of High Street and Stirling Highway, a wide median on High Street to separate traffic lanes and preserve a number of mature trees, two new pedestrian underpasses under High Street and Stirling Highway and single lane service road for residents on the northern side of High Street.
