Wadeye cultural precinct, community shopping hub & family recreational centre

We were appointed to work on a new Cultural Precinct, Community Shopping Hub & Family Recreational Centre located in the town of Wadeye, located 400km west of Darwin.

The concept of the new proposed Centre aims to provide a new centralised town centre for various cultural and community activities and a welcoming destination with various shop tenancies anchored by a super market store.

Situated centrally of the town on a historic land where is was once known as the ‘Chicken Oval’. The site not only is a central connection for the people of Wadeye but an important historical representation of being the ‘provider’ of the town.

As an architectural statement this new centre will draw the whole community together and represent the whole community.

Activating what will essentially be the core of not only the shopping complex itself but a connection outside though to the oval with landscaping to create a welcoming area for cultural gatherings, movie nights and sporting events.

The whole centre will consist of several parts: A new supermarket, including a bakery, deli and butcher area with adjoining large cooled warehouse to ensure food and goods supply, even in times when roads are flooded.

There will be a furniture shop, a hairdresser and a kiosk towards the oval. The centre is also connected to a new family recreational centre with restaurant and bar. This restaurant provides mostly outdoor seating but will also offer an air-conditioned event room.

In addition we planned a residential unit with 4 apartments which will be offered to local staff.

This whole precinct is planned to uplift the town create new work opportunities and a central space for the community to come together.

We are supporting the client to seek funding and construction documentation will go ahead in 2024.