Facelift for

By Kelly Yates
THE exterior of Freeway Sports Centre in Doveton is set for a make-over in the coming months to complement the new Chifley Doveton hotel.
Managing director of the centre Ron Harrison, who is also the land owner of the Chifley Doveton site, told the News the refurbishment works included new external feature walls, landscaping and a new colour scheme set to cost around $250,000.
The family owned and run Freeway Sports Centre has been operating for 30 years, with Mr Harrison’s daughter and step-son managing the business at the corner of Princes Highway and South Gippsland Freeway.
Mr Harrison said both the sports complex and hotel would be working in a joint partnership for the next 60 years.
“Clients who use the sports centre will get the opportunity to enjoy dining and accommodation at the hotel while the hotel guests will get to take advantage of the gym, pool, sauna and spas at the Freeway Sports Centre,” Mr Harrison said.
Mr Harrison, who has been living in the City of Casey for 45 years, first had the idea of developing an international corporate hotel at the site back in 1987.
“I felt Dandenong needed an international hotel as 40 per cent of Melbourne’s manufacturing industry is based in the area,” he said.The feedback from the community, according to Mr Harrison, is that clients at the sports complex are counting down the days until the four-and-a-half star hotel opens its doors during the first week in June.
“The benefit for the local community means the national and international travellers will spend their money in the local shops rather than taking it outside the municipality,” he said.
He said Freeway Sports Centre would start its internal upgrades next year, with the vision of possibly having a large day spa and a cancer clinic on the site over the next three years. They underwent around $700,000 worth of renovation works back in 2000 when a ladies club, beautician and hairdressers, child minding area and additional car park were added.