- Location: Mt Albert, Auckland
- Status: Completed 2025
Since 1927, the Mount Albert Rugby League club has been home to the Mount Albert Lions. For over a hundred years, it’s been an important part of the community, supporting local teams as well as Marist and Mount Albert Grammar Schools. Over time, the needs of the community have changed, and the club is undergoing renovations to ensure it can serve its members for another hundred years.
The club now supports a diverse range of men’s and women’s teams, as well as Physical Disability Rugby League. Inside, the changing rooms are reconfigured, to create spaces for all genders and accessibility. The alterations help to remove the barrier to participation faced by these teams, allowing equity, visibility, and value for female and disabled athletes across all ages.
Women’s participation in rugby league has grown 300% since 2019, so this project is an exciting opportunity to support those numbers. Accessible changing rooms, bathrooms and the installation of a lift from the ground floor to the clubroom above ensure total inclusivity.
On the exterior, new cladding and roof are upgraded from the 1970s, ensuring a long-lasting, watertight envelope. New joinery and upgraded fire rating further future proofs the building. As the number of residents in the area continues to climb at a rapid rate – an estimated 8000 more residents will live in Mount Albert within 10 years – a sustainable operating model ensures the club’s financial independence and increase in revenue opportunities.
This project is a labour of love for Director of Creative Arch, Mark McLeay, a MAGS old boy, who has been a member of the League club for many years. This project has allowed him a chance to not only give back to the community he so loves, but provide something truly special to the future generations.
