The City of Mount Gambier continues to refine the internal design features of the Community and Recreation Hub with architects CO-OP Studio and DesignInc. Detailed design options for the sports court flooring and aquatics facilities are currently being considered.
Community and Recreation Hub Community Reference Group (CRG) members met with Elected Members and Council Officers on Thursday 4 July 2019 for an update on the project. It follows pre-work conducted by a team of technical specialists on site at Olympic Park on Margaret Street.
"Feedback from the CRG, community members, Elected Members, field specialists and the technical team has contributed to the evolution of the internal design," City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin said.
"So this is an opportune time to reconvene with the CRG to provide an update and seek their feedback on some of the options that have been presented to us by the architects to date."
The pre-construction assessments on site enable Council, through the Regional Sport and Recreation Centre Committee, to consider a number of options regarding the design of the aquatics facilities and associated infrastructure.
"Constant changes in technology and innovation mean that new options are emerging all the time and new information provided by the technical team has resulted in discussions about the options available for the structure of the pools," Mayor Martin said.
"There is a new type of construction that is now being used in many pool projects known as Myrtha stainless steel and the architects have evaluated this against a concrete option."
Tender specifications will include options for both the Myrtha stainless steel and concrete pool structures in the interests of securing best value for money through both construction and whole of life costs.
Preferred flooring options for the court areas are being considered, with two options compliant with Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) standards.
"Both Neoshok and Haro brand flooring will be included in the tender process as we are confident that both options are suitable to meet required standards across multiple sports."
The internal design of the facility will be modified to allow for the inclusion of two kitchens, one on each floor.
"We have received feedback from the community about the desire for highly functional kitchen spaces within the facility so this has enabled us to consider multiple options as we move forward with finalising the internal design and costings."
Like any design process, when you have a concept that is well advanced but not all details are complete, you need to provide the architects with information about the preferred options to be tested via a tender process which will provide more precise costings and determine material availability.- City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin
"I look forward to the Regional Sport and Recreation Committee, the CRG, Elected Members and Council Officers working closely together to provide a facility that will benefit the whole community."
The Regional Sport and Recreation Centre Committee has extended the opportunity for the community to suggest a new name for the complex.
"As works commence and the community can see things happening on site, it may generate additional name ideas for the new facility."
Name ideas can be submitted to the Community and Recreation Hub naming boxes located at the Civic Centre, Library and Main Corner Complex as well as online.
