Published on Monday, 13 July 2026 at 9:31:08 AM
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder officially opened the Goldfields Community Pavilion today, with the new space immediately coming to life as the community gathered to explore the facility for the first time.
More than 1,500 people attended throughout the day, with the Kalgoorlie Rotary Markets, local stalls, food vendors, live entertainment and family-friendly activities filling the Pavilion and surrounding area.
Located beside the Goldfields Arts Centre, the new multi-purpose facility is designed to support a wide range of community uses, including markets, festivals, performances, exhibitions, school events, community celebrations and year-round activities.
The $11.8 million project was made possible through a $3 million contribution from BHP’s WA Nickel Community Fund and a $1 million grant from Lotterywest.
Designed for flexibility, the Pavilion operates as an open-air car park for day-to-day use and can be transformed into a fully enclosed, weatherproof venue for events and functions, accommodating up to 2,100 people.
The opening also launched an exciting opportunity for the community to help shape the Pavilion’s future identity, with a public naming process now underway.
Residents are being invited to put forward suggestions for a permanent name that reflects the place, the people and the role the Pavilion will play in community life for generations to come. Submissions can be made via yoursay.ckb.wa.gov.au or collected from the City Administration Building, Eastern Goldfields Community Centre or William Grundt Memorial Library.
All suggestions will be considered by Council before a final name is selected.
Comments attributed to Mayor Glenn Wilson:
“We don’t often get to open something of this scale, and with the opening of the Youth Precinct, the new state-of-the-art basketball stadium, and now this Pavilion all within the past two years, it really is a significant time of investment and momentum for Kalgoorlie-Boulder,” Mayor Wilson said.
“But what really stood out about the opening was seeing it full of people on day one. The Rotary Markets in full swing, kids everywhere, local stalls, music going, and the whole place just alive with activity. It felt like the community had already made it their own.
“A lot of people have put a huge amount of work into getting it built on time, including our project partners BHP and Lotterywest, the builders, contractors, vendors, local suppliers and the City team. It doesn’t happen without that effort, and they should be proud of what they’ve delivered.
“I’d also like to acknowledge former Mayor John Bowler, whose vision was the catalyst for this project. After seeing a large event cancelled due to the weather, John recognised the need for a large, all-weather venue where our community could continue to come together, regardless of the conditions. That idea has now become a reality, and it is fantastic to see the space being used exactly as it was intended.
“This is what we hoped for when we started talking about a space like this, somewhere that can host the big events, but also just bring people together on an ordinary weekend.
“It also opens the door for us to attract larger-scale events into Kalgoorlie-Boulder. We now have a flexible, purpose-built space that can support everything from community markets through to major festivals, performances and visiting events we simply couldn’t accommodate before.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing what this becomes over time. Days like this are just the beginning, and I think we’re going to see a lot of great events here for many years to come.”
Comments attributed BHP Vice President WA Nickel Annabelle Blom:
“Communities need more than roads, services and infrastructure to thrive – they also need places to connect, celebrate, share experiences and build a sense of belonging.
“This pavilion provides that connection. It will evolve over time, reflecting the energy, diversity and creativity of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Through the WA Nickel Community Fund, we’re proud to have helped make the vision of this pavilion a reality.”
Comments attributed to Lotterywest CEO Colin Smith:
“Lotterywest is pleased to support such a vital community asset,” Mr Smith said.
“This pavilion will be an important element of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s emerging Arts and Cultural precinct and will be accessible to a variety of not-for-profit organisations and community groups.
“Lotterywest is committed to fostering community connection, reconciliation and bringing people together through arts, heritage and cultural activities.”
Pictured (L-R):Matt Terry, General Manager WA Nickel; Annabelle Blom, Vice President WA Nickel; Brooke Wilson, Principal Community WA Nickel; Councillor Deborah Botica; Councillor Vanessa Walker-Dunstan; former Mayor John Bowler; and Mayor Glenn Wilson.
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