The Canvas launched on 3 May as Rhodes Recreation Centre’s newest venue for hire, offering a 20% discount for bookings made by 31 May for events held through 30 June.
The ground-floor multipurpose space sits within the $80 million recreation centre at 6 Gauthorpe Street, five minutes’ walk from Rhodes Train Station. Peak-hour rates start at $78 per hour for private hire, dropping to $63 off-peak, with not-for-profit groups accessing 50% lower rates.
Bookings require the code ‘RRC20’ entered in the special requirements section online. The discount applies only to venue hire fees, not bonds or insurance charges.
Canada Bay mayor Michael Megna said The Canvas gives the community another flexible, modern place to host events. “Whether it be for a celebration, a workshop, a meeting, or something else,” he said. “Rhodes Recreation Centre was designed as a hub for connection, and The Canvas builds on that vision.”
The venue features integrated audio-visual systems with live streaming capability and air-conditioning. Underground parking is available for hirers, addressing one of the key challenges for events in the rapidly developing Rhodes precinct.
The Canvas becomes one of 14 venues for hire across Canada Bay, serving Sydney’s fastest-growing suburb with over 18,000 residents expected by 2036. The recreation centre opened in October 2025 as part of a $97 million agreement with developer Billbergia.
Local resident Glenn, who took a pre-opening tour, said the community response had been immediate. “As soon as memberships opened, we didn’t hesitate to sign up,” he said. “We had a pre-opening tour and were really impressed. The gym’s fantastic, and the spaces are just beautiful.”
The facility sits beneath 48-storey residential towers in Billbergia’s $3 billion Rhodes Central masterplan. Architecture firm SJB designed the recreation centre to serve the area’s rapid urban densification, with The Canvas positioned as a modern alternative to traditional community halls that may lack accessibility features and streaming capabilities.
Quick Facts
City of Canada Bay Council
Local government area in Sydney’s inner west serving communities including Rhodes, Concord, Five Dock and Drummoyne. The council operates 14 venues for hire across the municipality and has invested in major infrastructure projects to serve the area’s growing population.
Rhodes Recreation Centre
A $80 million, 9,200-square-metre community facility that opened in October 2025, featuring gym, indoor sports courts, gymnastics centre, community lounge, café and multipurpose venues for hire. Located at 6 Gauthorpe Street, Rhodes, it was designed by SJB Architects and delivered through a Voluntary Planning Agreement.