A $10.3-million plan by the Manly-Warringah Gymnastics Club (MWGC) to transform the former North Manly Bowling Club site into a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence for gymnastics and other aerial sports have taken a significant leap closer to reality, thanks to a $5.15-million grant from the Thriving Suburbs Program.
The approval of Development Application #2023/1708 and the multi-million-dollar grant has also helped boost the Club’s presence as a leading sports organisation in the northern beaches.
Revitalising a Historic Site
The project will repurpose the derelict and abandoned North Manly Bowling Club at Nolan Reserve into a 3,000 square metre indoor high-performance facility. Plans include demolishing the existing structure and leasing the land through a public-private partnership with the NBC. The facility will be fully funded and managed by MWGC, with no financial burden placed on the city authorities.
Approved in August 2024 by NSW planning authorities, the redevelopment is expected to provide a long-term home for MWGC’s over 2,000 members and cater to more than 300,000 annual visitors.
A Centre for Community and High Performance
The planned Centre of Excellence is designed to serve a broad demographic, offering programs for children as young as six months, seniors, disability groups, and schools.
In addition to recreational gymnastics, the facility will support high-performance training across various aerial disciplines, including snow sports, diving, skateboarding, surfing, and acrobatics.
Recognised as a Centre of Excellence by Gymnastics Australia and Gymnastics NSW, the venue will also host public sports medicine and rehabilitation services. These features align with MWGC’s commitment to fostering talent pathways, particularly in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Funding Secured Amid Early Shortfall
Initial concerns about a funding gap were alleviated by the $5.15 million grant, which complemented earlier contributions from the NSW Centre of Excellence Fund.
By February 2023, MWGC had secured approximately 60% of the required funds but needed additional financial support to meet its goals. The recent funding ensures that the project can proceed without compromise.
Long-Term Community Impact
Once operational, the facility is expected to provide significant economic and social benefits to the Manly area. The modernised centre aims to redefine how gymsports are experienced across New South Wales, offering vastly improved access to equipment, training resources, and a space for future growth. It will also contribute to nurturing future sporting talent and fostering local athletes’ pathways to international competition.
The CEO of MWGC proudly shared that the new facility is a game-changer for the club, which has been a beloved part of the Manly community for more than 45 years. The Centre of Excellence is set to become a bustling hub for local, national, and elite-level gymnastics for the next three decades.
Next Steps
With the development application approved and funding secured, the next phase includes extending timelines for grant allocations and beginning construction.
Updates on the project’s progress will be provided through MWGC’s website, ensuring transparency as the ambitious redevelopment takes shape.
Published 16-Dec-2025
