Construction has begun on the Western Sydney Community and Conference Centre (WSCCC) and an adjoining 153-room hotel which will be self-managed by the Penrith Panthers under a brand name yet to be announced.
The $88 million project from the NRL organisation has been in the planning stages for three years. It comes with the assistance of $24 million in combined state and federal government grants. The 4.5-star hotel is the only hotel of this standard west of Parramatta and will offer facilities including a restaurant and bar, with private dining rooms, and a ground-floor café.
Unbranded at present, the hotel will service the 1,250 square metre Convention Centre which will be capable of hosting trade shows, exhibitions, seated functions for up to 1,000 people along with other major events.
A pre-function space opening up on two acres of landscapes gardens will also be available. The centre will be serviced by a double-basement carpark. A slightly smaller 1,200 square metre community centre will sit directly above, with an outdoor terrace area. This space will be able to be divided up into two spaces for charity and community endeavours.
Up to 300 jobs will be created during construction, with a further 100 ongoing roles to manage and operate the centre once complete.
NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres – also the area’s local MP – said the development was part of an ongoing commitment by Panthers Group to deliver world-class facilities to the local community.
“The many outstanding community programs and initiatives in the Penrith region will benefit from the community centre. While the conference centre will enhance Penrith’s reputation as a world-class event and tourism destination.”
Penrith Panthers CEO, Brian Fletcher, said the Western Sydney business community “has long been in need of a modern, multi-purpose conference centre and Panthers is proud to be delivering exactly that.”
The Western Sydney Community and Conference Centre is anticipated to be open in 2021, with bookings for events and hotel reservations due to open next year.