Upgraded Port Lincoln Leisure Centre to be officially opened
It has been a difficult and costly project — from the council having to abandon a tendering process because of leaks to the financial collapse of its main contractor — but Port Lincoln’s upgraded leisure centre finally is having its official opening.
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PORT Lincoln’s upgraded leisure centre will be officially opened next week, ending the most challenging project in the coastal city’s history.
Port Lincoln City Council was forced to manage the completion of the $5.2 million project following the financial collapse of its principal contractor, Adelaide company Unique Urban Build (UUB).
The company was chosen after the first tender run by the council had to be abandoned when details of bids were leaked, forcing the council to call in Adelaide law firm Kelledy Jones to investigate.
The council already had spent $4 million in 2015 buying back the leisure centre – which had been losing money since the 1980s – from prominent Port Lincoln family company, Sarin Group, which had purchased it for $1.5 million.
It then spent another $5 million upgrading the centre’s pools, which had developed leaks, and installing new pumps. The second stage – which will be officially opened next Thursday – involved the construction of a new stadium containing an all-purpose sports court, three squash courts, change rooms and extra carparking.
The project, funded by a federal government grant of $4.4 million and borrowings by council, ended up going over budget by $620,000, with Mayor Brad Flaherty saying the council had done “quite well” to finish at that figure.
“Considering where we had been with the leisure centre and the company that was engaged to build it going into administration, we’ve done really quite well – time wise it was only a short delay,” he said.
“While it’s over budget, and I acknowledge it’s over budget, the fact that we dragged ourselves out of an administration nightmare, I think that we’ve done quite well considering.”
A final report presented to elected members said the council team which took over the management of the project – led by former chief executive Stephen Rufus – had ensured works were completed “to an acceptable standard, quality and time frame”.
“The successful completion of the project is undoubtedly a positive outcome for the City of Port Lincoln, notwithstanding the challenging circumstances faced by council and the difficulties encountered throughout the duration of the project.”
Mr Flaherty, who will open the centre with federal Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey, said the five-year project had been “a long tough road but we have now arrived at the end with a fantastic, refurbished leisure centre facility for the local community and region to enjoy”.