Ainslie Group reveal plans to build new childcare centre at Ainslie Football and Social Club

The new-build Ainslie Childcare Centre is proposed for 5 Angas Street, Ainslie on the edge of Alan Ray Oval and forms part of a 10-year master plan for the Ainslie Football and Social Club (AFSC) site.

Stage one of the plan has been submitted to the ACT government and includes demolition of an existing cottage to make way for a one-storey building and the construction of drop-off parking bays to support the childcare centre.

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Ainslie Group has also applied for Crown lease variation to allow the site to be used as a childcare facility.

Plans prepared by Canberra urban planning firm Spacelab Studio show the proposed red brick building would span just over 733 square metres. More than 1000 square metres of landscaped outdoor space and facilities will also be included such as a play kitchen, sustainability corner with chicken coop and a fire pit.

The total cost of works is estimated to be $3,275,941.

Planning documents state the proposed centre would "provide an increase in amenity to the surrounding residential areas, while not impacting upon the Alan Ray Oval, or other public recreational facilities".

Community consultation documents show the existing playground on the site, which is owned by AFSC and maintained by ACT Transport Canberra and City Services, will be retained throughout development of the master plan.

Ainslie Group chief executive Simon Patterson told The Canberra Times the club has engaged a team of consultants to develop a master plan that would "provide opportunities for alternative sources of income in the years ahead, whilst assuring the future of AFL football on the home ground".

The Ainslie Childcare Centre is stage one of the plan and is expected to be completed in 2023.

Later stages would include varying the territory plan to build up to 200 residential dwellings, including age-in-place and build-to-rent housing, plus new change rooms, gymnasium and grandstand seating.

Marcus Hipkins from the North Canberra Community Council said the AFSC development was currently on the agenda and "there will be some discussion of it at our next meeting".

Ainslie Residents' Association chair Ian Hubbard said he expected the childcare centre would be welcomed by the local community.

"Recent studies have shown that with a rapidly growing population, there is a demand for a childcare centre. This would be welcomed by local families who can't find a place," he said.

However, Mr Hubbard anticipated there would be opposition to the residential component of the proposed development and said he looked forward to seeing more detailed plans from the Ainslie Football and Social Club.

The development application for the childcare centre is open for public comment until November 24.

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