Long-awaited $35m recreation precinct to open at Carnes Hill this weekend

In less than 18 months, Carnes Hill has transformed from a cow paddock to western Sydney's latest cultural precinct.

A new recreation site boasts tennis courts, fitness stations, children’s play areas and a skate park, with Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun praising the development.

“Around the facility, it's not only these buildings, but what ties it all together,” Mr Mannoun said.

Inside the site is a brand new community centre and library - stocked with 30,000 books – and a second building houses a state-of-the-art sports centre.

The precinct came in $7 million under budget, costing $35 million to build.

It was funded by contributions earned by new home construction across the council's vast western spread.

“Council has been saving that up for a while,” Mr Mannoun said.

“We've put this vision together to be able to deliver a piece of infrastructure like this.”

After consulting the community, recreation facilities for children became the council’s top priority, a decision supported by local and former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke.

“For kids in that area, and it was exactly the same when I grew up, you're always looking for a way to be active,” Clarke said.

The new sports centre will be named after the former skipper when the ribbon is cut on Saturday.

“I'm a proud Westie that's for sure, and in an area that I couldn't have picked anywhere better to grow up as a kid, so for the centre to be named after me is an honour,” Clarke said of the tribute.