Frank Drago Soccer Precinct Redevelopment Planning
Concept Designs – October 2026
In March 2026, Hodge Collard Preston Architects were appointed to deliver the architectural design and associated services for the Frank Drago Redevelopment Project.
Working with the architects, the City developed two concept options based on budgets of $10 million budget (in line with confirmed funding to date) and $18.8 million (in line with original project cost estimates). These concepts considered community feedback and explored potential construction cost savings and improved facility functionality.
The project team is now progressing the $18.8 million concept to the schematic design phase. This option was selected because it best balances the needs of the community and the soccer club, incorporating many of the features residents told us were important. These include:
- publicly accessible toilets at ground level and the first floor of the new pavilion,
- community-use spaces including a kiosk and function room
- enhanced landscaping and retention of existing mature trees wherever practical
- a new playground and a walking track
- covered spectator seating for 276 people, plus 11 wheelchair spaces
- five gender-neutral change rooms and player facilities on the ground level, and
- an upgraded FIFA-compliant main pitch with new lighting, and a second field expanded to full size
- the reserve remaining open to the community for recreational purposes when not in use by the Bayswater City Soccer Club.
Click here to read about the project background.
View and comment on the draft schematic design
As part of finalising the schematic design, the City is presenting a draft to the community as a final check-in to ensure nothing has been overlooked. Given the complexity of designing within an existing precinct with numerous user types, the draft design aims to meet the needs of the community and sporting clubs within a tight project budget.
The design is now close to complete, with limited scope for significant changes without increasing the project cost. Maintaining the current budget will provide a credible basis for the City to advocate for the remaining funding needed to deliver the project.
Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to view the draft schematic design and artist's impressions and let us know what they think before the finalisation of the design.
A set of FAQs have been developed to help you navigate the design and we encourage you to read these.
We will be collecting comments via:
- an online submission form (below)
- hard-copy form available from the City's Civic Centre or Bayswater Library
- in-person at a pop-up where you can talk to City officers and architects on Wednesday 4 November from 5 to 7pm at the Bayswater Croquet Club.
Submissions close 4pm on Wednesday 18 November 2026.
What’s next?
Once any updates have been made, Council will review the schematic design. Having a finalised schematic design means the City is more informed in relation to the design, site considerations and the cost of construction.
As the project is currently facing a funding shortfall, the City will seek to achieve additional funding support before proceeding to detailed design development.
