Kensington Squash Centre

The Kensington Squash Centre was constructed in 1976 on the corner of Third Avenue and Banksia Terrace, a short distance away from Kensington Primary School.

 

City of South Perth records describe it as a two-storey brick building with nine squash courts, bathroom facilities, an outdoor patio and a downstairs clubroom. The building covered about 921m² of the 1,683m² property.

 

Zoning changes

The property was zoned Local Centre with an additional use of Recreation - Private, allowing it to operate as a squash centre.

 

Ardbern Enterprises

Ardbern Enterprises Pty Ltd are the earliest listed company owners identified in the available property records. The company was registered in Victoria on 8 October 1976, the same year the squash centre was constructed. It was previously known as Ardbern Nominees Pty Ltd and was deregistered on 2 September 1994.

 

On 6 November 1986, Ardbern Enterprises sold the property to a private couple.

 

That couple sold it on 17 July 1988 for $315,000 to another husband and wife. The husband died in February 2008 at the age of 77, while his wife retained the property until it was sold in June 2025 for $2.1 million.

 

City of South Perth records named 3 Third Avenue Pty Ltd as the owner in October 2025 and Adaptable Use Pty Ltd as the owner by May 2026. Adaptable Use Pty Ltd had been registered on 22 September 2023 to an address in West Perth.

 

Operation of the centre

Kensington Squash Centre operated for almost 50 years and became a long-running local sporting facility. It provided court hire, private coaching, junior programs, club competitions and tournaments. It also offered racquet restringing and repairs, sports equipment and change-room facilities.

 

The downstairs clubroom included a kitchen, television and air conditioning and was used as a social area for club members and players.

 

The Kensington Squash Centre was later operated by Keith Farrell and was used by local residents, schools, businesses and competitive players.

 

Closure

It appears that the centre may have closed sometime in 2002. Commercial sale material describe it as still being leased when the property was marketed, but by October 2025 the City of South Perth referred to the land as having previously been used for squash courts.

 

Redevelopment proposal

The land was marketed as a redevelopment site, with the existing squash centre building described as having little value compared with the value of the land.

 

A request to rezone the property was lodged in August 2025. The proposal sought to change the land from Local Centre, R40, with an additional use of Recreation - Private, to Residential R17.5.

 

On 28 October 2025, the City of South Perth agreed to begin the scheme amendment and advertise it for public comment. The proposal was advertised between 18 February and 2 April 2026. Four submissions were received, with two supporting the amendment and two opposing it.

 

On 26 May 2026, the City of South Perth supported the amendment without modification. The decision was carried unanimously, eight votes to nil.

 

The applicant was Altus Planning and the landowner was listed as Adaptable Use Pty Ltd.

 

A concept plan submitted with the amendment showed the property divided into three residential lots of about 560 square metres each. Council’s decision supported the change in zoning but did not approve the subdivision or the construction of any houses. Separate subdivision and development applications would still be required.

 

Demolition

The Kensington Squash Centre was demolished in July 2026.