Construction officially began today on the $65m Dragons Community and High Performance Centre at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.
The Honourable Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, was on hand to turn the first sod with builders FDC now set to commence building works with an expected completion date of mid-2026.
Also in attendance were the Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, the Member for Keira, Ryan Park and the Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully.
Dragons Chairman Andrew Lancaster, CEO Ryan Webb, NRL Head Coach Shane Flanagan, NRLW Head Coach Nathan Cross, Dragons Head of Female Football Samantha Bremner, NRL co-captain Clint Gutherson, and NRLW star Bobbi Law were also on hand to witness the historic moment.
“This is a hugely significant day in the history of the St George Illawarra Dragons,” Webb said.
“The completion of a world-class facility such as this will help take our male and female athletes to new heights while bringing our administrative and football programs altogether under one roof will be hugely beneficial for club cohesion and unity.”
The NSW Government is investing $40 million in the project and Minister Kamper praised the development of a facility that will benefit not only the Dragons but the wider community.
“The St George-Illawarra Dragons are one of the most successful clubs in rugby league.” Kamper said.
"The Community and High Performance Centre will reinforce the region's position as a rugby league stronghold and ensure it continues to develop the next generation of athletes."
"It's fantastic to be here today to turn the first sod for this incredible community, education and sporting asset. "
Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP added:
“Sport has the power to unite and uplift communities, and this centre will be a hub for inclusion—welcoming First Nations communities, Pasifika groups, and people of all abilities to participate, train, and grow.
“This world-class facility, backed by the Albanese Labor Government, will also provide a vital pathway for women and girls in rugby league, ensuring they have the same access to elite training, development programs, and facilities as their male counterparts.
“With a strong focus on health, education, and grassroots engagement, the CHPC will connect local schools, clubs, and organisations, fostering a love of sport while supporting the next generation of female athletes and community leaders.”
Flanagan expected the facility to provide a boost to the club’s football program once completed.
“I’ve seen the plans and I expect this to be one of, if not the best high performance centres across the NRL,” Flanagan said.
“If you look around the competition, teams are so evenly matched that having the best possible facilities is crucial to give your team the best chance of success.
“We’ve been on a steady path of improvement since I joined the club and I expect that will continue even further once we are able to move into our own purpose-built facility.”
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Official sod turn for Dragons Community High Performance Centre
Fast facts
The CHPC will allow the Dragons' five-plus existing facilities to come together under one roof at the University of Wollongong's (UOW) Innovation Campus and allow for a crosspollination of the club's elite and junior representative pathway programs.
The Dragons' ambition is to create a world class precinct and facility that:
- Delivers high performance, administration and community facilities for elite, pathways and community programs;
- Enhances the partnership with UOW across education, research and innovation;
- Harnesses the power of sport to expand health and wellbeing programs and other initiatives, and;
- Deepens community engagement and connection through partnerships, programs, collaboration and learning.
The Community and High-Performance Centre will include:
- Equitable male and female player facilities
- Aquatic recovery, medical and treatment facilities
- High-performance gym, hydration and sport science areas
- Two full-sized NRL playing fields
- Lecture theatre and meeting rooms
- Community classroom and program spaces including internal 'grandstand'
- Office space for football, community and administration staff
- Communal dining/function room and lounge
- Office space for community partners
- UOW research collaboration space
- Allied Health area
