The City of Mount Gambier will meet to consider the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) for funding under the Federal Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) for the proposed Mount Gambier Regional Sport and Recreation Centre at a Special Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday 24 April 2018.
Council is very aware of the strong community support for the facility shown through the Community Engagement Steering Committee petition and engagement with stakeholders during the EOI development process.
“The groundswell of community support will no doubt be taken into account when Council considers submitting the EOI at the Special Meeting on Tuesday night and where to next,” City of Mount Gambier Mayor Andrew Lee said.
To form part of the application, Simply Great Leisure Consulting Group (SGL) has prepared a high level concept plan and preliminary costings that include site preparation, construction and fit-out, estimated to cost approximately $40million.
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to future proof Mount Gambier with a facility that could be the centre piece of recreation and sport in Mount Gambier for the next 50 years, so seeing the concept plan is very exciting,” Mayor Andrew Lee said.
The proposed facility will be built at Olympic Park on Margaret Street Mount Gambier and would retain the existing outdoor pool.
“The aquatic areas of the project would involve the construction of a 10 lane, 25 metre swimming pool, teaching pool, exercise pool, splash pad, spectator area, change rooms, showers and toilets,” Mayor Lee said.
The sports hall proposes six courts with retractable seating for a central show court and change rooms, showers and toilets.
“This space could also be used for community events as it will seat up to 2000 people. The facility also incorporates multi-purpose spaces including a health and wellbeing suite, administrative, events and community areas, kiosk/café, kitchen and a crèche.”
The proposed project will not proceed in its current form without external grant funding. If the EOI is submitted by, Council will seek $20million in funding from the Federal Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
“We’d be lucky to receive that figure in its entirety and Council must match any funds received 1:1, which means Council would contribute $10million. In addition, the State Government would also need to provide at least $10million to support the project. This means that Council would achieve a $40million facility for a capital outlay of $10million.”
If Federal and State Government funding is received, it is expected the project would take three years to complete.
“To fund a facility of this type an additional $20 each year (approximately) for four or five years will be added to rates. Thereafter only the normal annual rate increase will apply,” Mayor Lee said.
“If Council endorses and submits the EOI, the first stage of a two part process is complete. An invitation to progress to stage two by the funding body may be made in July. In anticipation of a favourable outcome, Council must engage in ongoing development work.”
This would mean endorsing additional funding of $80,000 to enable more detailed architectural design, project management, costings and associated work to be prepared to satisfy the Federal Government criteria of a full business case submission.
“Council will need to continue to engage with a broad range of stakeholders in developing the design and functionality of the proposed centre, lobby for a firm funding commitment from the State Government and review the full business case for stage two of the application process,” Mayor Lee said.
For further information please contact City of Mount Gambier Media and Communications Coordinator Sharny McLean on 8721 2401 or smclean@mountgambier.sa.gov.au
