Sydney Olympic Park Authority, with Murama Cultural Council and Addventageous, has transformed a former sports amenities facility into an award-winning vibrant community hub that connects marginalised groups along the Parramatta River in NSW.
Parramatta Bike Hub is a high social impact, low budget project that engages with ‘hard-to-reach’ groups including local First Nations communities, frail-aged, women seniors and disadvantaged youth through small-group health and wellbeing programs.
The Hub was established in 2019 by bicycle education advocate Charlene Bordley (see In Profile), founder of social enterprise Addventageous. Displaced in 2020 from its premises in Parramatta, the Hub required a new home base.
Bringing the Hub to Sydney Olympic Park was initiated by Murama Cultural Council, engaging Addventageous to run programs for First Nations communities in youth-at-risk bike mechanic skills, mental health and cultural guiding.
The new hub is located along the Wilson Park Riverwalk, a walking and cycling trail that stretches along the riverbank up to Sydney Olympic Park Wharf.
Scale Architecture led the adaptive re-fit of the former sports facilities into suitable premises. The upgrade includes a new polycarbonate skin, wrapped around the existing orange brick, housing an indoor meeting space, outdoor gallery, ‘pit/rest stop,’ gardening space and a buzz of activity.
Bordley says it’s about sustainability, people and building community: “Parramatta Bike Hub is a place for cycling connections, creating opportunities for change through lessons, bike mechanics, rides, training and advocacy.”
“All these moments create differences in people’s lives,” she said.
Many of the fleet of bikes have been donated to encourage the reduction of landfill and make cycling accessible to all.
The outdoor space, known as the ‘pit/rest stop’, features an Aria Long Communal Table with Aria Benches to accommodate large groups, inviting cyclists to meet and rest, before or after riding in the sparkling sunshine by the river.
The furniture colour palette was selected to match the Parramatta Bike Hub uniform, powder coated in Brilliant Yellow, Horizon Blue, Pearl White and Doe Skin and tailored Deep Pool Teal.
The project was awarded a 2023 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects NSW Landscape Architecture Award for Community Contribution, and is a finalist for the national awards to be announced in October.
See our In Profile with Addventageous founder Charlene Bordley (pictured right). Photo: SOPA.
Bicycle program at Parramatta Bike Hub.
Colour study for SOPA by Street Furniture Australia artist.
