Playford Council chooses builder for new $8 million Grenville Centre at Elizabeth
Construction of a new $8 million community hub for retirees in the heart of Elizabeth is due to begin within months.
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Playford Council has chosen the builder of its $8 million community hub for retirees at Elizabeth.
Romaldi Constructions — which is building a cafe at the Playford Civic Centre — is due to start work on the new Grenville Centre before the end of the year.
The two-storeyed building will replace an original structure which was largely built by the northern suburbs community in the early 1980s.
It was demolished earlier this year to make space for a new private hotel which has been approved by the council.
Users of the centre have been gathering at the Playford Civic Centre for activities until the new Grenville Centre is built.
Originally estimated to cost $5.2 million, the budget for the project is now $8 million after its location was changed to a parcel of land next to the Playford Civic Centre.
The smaller-sized block meant the original plans for a single-level building had to be redesigned to a two-storeyed structure, increasing the cost.
Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said the council had consulted with Grenville Centre members throughout the planning process.
“The two-storey design features additional floorspace, providing flexibility for both current and future users,” he said.
“The new building will retain key features of the old building, such as a dance hall and stage, kitchen, dining and activity areas, together with the office space and amenities necessary to deliver the full range of services and programs that members require.”
Mr Docherty said construction of the new building, to be called the Grenville Hub, was expected to take 12 months to complete.
“Council has been impressed by Romaldi’s ability to complete projects on time, on budget and to a high quality and we look forward to working with them again,” he said.
Mr Docherty said the project was part of council’s strategy to transform the Elizabeth CBD through public and private investment,
Other projects included the hotel and a medical hub, “along with retail space and further development opportunities for investors in Elizabeth”, he said.
One of the strategy’s key projects, a $40 million ice arena, was put on hold by councillors after an expert report said it exposed ratepayers to unacceptable financial risk.
The arena was going to be built opposite a multistorey carpark on the corner of Main North Rd and Philip Highway which council built, predominantly to service the new hotel.
Original concept plans developed for the council included a footbridge between the ice arena and the carpark.