HUNTER Sports Centre at Glendale will become a second teaching site for University of Newcastle exercise and sports science students.
The new partnership announced on Tuesday, September 10, will start in semester one 2025, where students will get to use the $52 million-dollar expansion, which includes access to large classrooms, a gym, an athlete testing centre, a sporting field and, clinic and consultation rooms.
The Lake Macquarie community will also have access to a student-led exercise physiology clinic operating out of the centre, offering low-cost access to advice and consultation by supervised students.
The facility also offers practical exercise and sports science sessions to supplement classroom-based learning for local high school students.
Hunter Sports Centre general manager Brendan Barrett said the new partnership offered the community a premier sports centre.
"What began as a partnership to deliver athlete performance testing and education from the new Trevor Height Athlete Testing Centre has evolved as further possibilities emerged through the growing relationship between Hunter Sports Centre, the University of Newcastle, and Lake Macquarie City Council," he said.
"Playing host to a vibrant learning hub and Exercise and Sports Science Clinic will benefit both students and the community. It will also complement the new Fitness Centre and Health Food Cafe opening concurrently in the new building."
"I envisage our relationship continuing to grow to include corresponding allied health offerings such as physiotherapy, podiatry, and nutrition/dietetics to the broader community."
Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser welcomed the centre saying it would be a regionally significant facility.
"It will benefit thousands of people, from tertiary students to elite and up-and-coming athletes," she said.
University of Newcastle vice-chancellor Alex Zelinsky said the partnership was a perfect example of the university's commitment to helping the community live better, healthier lives.
"It's a fantastic example of how our university is not just about learning in the classroom but getting out there and making a difference in the community," he said.
Teaching and learning will still be undertaken in the new and upgraded sports science infrastructure at the university's Callaghan campus.
"We know there is continued demand for our exercise and sport science programs and creating more contemporary facilities will help maintain our national and international competitiveness," Professor Zelinsky said.
The new partnership expands on an existing agreement with Hunter Sports Centre for the university to operate the Trevor Height Athlete Testing Facility, which opened in January this year and offers a range of services to monitor and improve the development and performance of athletes, from beginners to elite levels.
