Works to begin on $39m Mount Gambier regional sports centre before winter
Work on a $39 million regional sports centre – on the cards for more than three decades – will begin in the coming months as the major project awaits development assessment.
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Work will begin before June on plans for a $39 million sports and leisure centre at Mount Gambier, if the state’s peak planning body approves the project.
The State Commission Assessment Panel is considering the plans, which would be funded by $15 million from the Federal Government, $10 million from the state, $35,000 from the Grant Council; the remainder coming from Mount Gambier Council’s coffers.
The project – on the community’s agenda for more than three decades – would feature a two-storey building with six indoor basketball courts, an eight-lane indoor pool, play area pool, fitness and meeting room facilities and carparking.
It would also allow the region to host activities – including concerts – for up to 2500 people.
The project will incorporate netball and tennis courts and an outdoor pool, already at the Margaret St site.
Mount Gambier Council chief executive Andrew Meddle said the build at Olympic Park would help draw events and encourage locals to stay active during the chilly winter months.
“The winters in Mount Gambier tend to be colder and wetter than in Adelaide and sport is not much fun sometimes,” Mr Meddle said.
“We have a whole range of things we’re looking to do in terms of lifting the city’s profile and making a high quality of life available for all, at a much lower cost than living in a capital city.”
Mount Gambier is also introducing high-speed internet through GigCity, which is already available to businesses in Adelaide innovation precincts.
Mr Meddle said the new complex would help Mount Gambier – South Australia’s second largest city – to host sports events, concerts and other activities.
The sports complex is expected to cost about $39.1 million, with the final amount to be determined through a tender for the project’s head contractor, which closes at the end of this month.
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A report to the commission says the project will also help the region retain economic growth, address obesity and young people leaving the region, and provide leisure opportunities for its large cohort of older residents.
Mr Meddle said the number of jobs to be created during the build – and for people to staff the centre afterwards – would be determined by the contractor and operating model, which was yet to be decided.
Construction would take about 18 months.