New Ground Starts Build For Sydney Rabbitohs

While the Rabbitohs are preparing to take on Penrith in the 2021 Grand Final on Sunday, new construction has started in Maroubra for a new facility where the club will have a home ground starting from the 2023 season.

The new $58 million South Sydney Rabbitohs project joint initiative with Randwick City Council will be known as the Heffron Centre.

Part of the funding has been provided by the NSW State government producing $11.8 million, and the Federal Government providing $10 million.

The new facility will include training facilities, administration, Souths Cares, community gymnastics, and indoor sports centres.

The new ground is a community0focused facility that will provide opportunities for professional sports to mix with community sports.

Rabbitohs CEO, Blake Solly, said: “First and foremost, it’s going to be a wonderful home to the players, coaching staff and administration staff, but probably more importantly, we’re really excited about the fact it’s going to be the new home for the South Cares.

“This will allow us to expand upon the transformational projects and programs that they run for all the people in our community but particularly those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

“Along with Randwick Council and the State and Federal Governments we’re very keen to ensure this is a project that not only is the club proud of but that the community is proud of too,” Mr Solly said.

Randwick Mayor Danny Said, added: “It’s fantastic to be starting construction on this project just days away from the Rabbitohs appearing in the 2021 Grand Final.

“The Heffron Centre will be the Rabbitohs’ new home as well as a dedicated community sporting facility with new indoor sports centre and gymnastics centre twice the size of current facilities.

“This centre has been designed to be a true community space with an open café, memorabilia area, shared internal ‘street’ and this means you’ll have community members mixing with elite athletes,” says Mayor Said.

Minister for Sport for the New South Wales Council, Natalie Ward, added: “I’m delighted the NSW Government, through our Centres of Excellence Program, is supporting the delivery of the world-class multi-purpose sporting facilities.

“We know the positive impact that staying active can have on our physical and social wellbeing, so I’m thrilled the Heffron Centre will offer something for everyone, from grassroots through to elite level programs,” she said.

The construction of the new Heffron Centre is set to provide 200 jobs and more than 60 ongoing jobs through the facility operations.