THE proposed construction of a multi-million dollar indoor pool and sports centre in Mount Gambier continues to gain momentum with community members urged to attend a public meeting at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre tonight.
The meeting follows a small working group – representing different sporting codes including netball, basketball, tennis and swimming – recently establishing a grassroots campaign to push the project forward.
The group hopes to broker an agreement between a number of the city’s sporting clubs and Mount Gambier City Council to construct the indoor multi-sport and recreational centre at Olympic Park.
Mount Gambier Netball Association president and working group member Yvette Holmes said anyone was welcome to attend tonight’s meeting and contribute to the discussion.
“This is a unique opportunity with a number of different sporting codes working cooperatively to bring to fruition a significant community asset that will benefit the city and the entire region,” Ms Holmes said.
“We need the community to get behind this to help us get the project off the ground and we urge community members to come along tonight to show their support.”
Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre manager Peter Collins said tonight’s meeting would focus on the social and economic benefits of a “coordinated and centralised multi-purpose sporting facility.”
“What we are proposing is a community recreational and sporting facility which will be used by a variety of sporting clubs,” he said.
“This type of state-of-the-art facility will hopefully attract state and national sporting tournaments and will deliver significant benefits for our regional economy.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the grassroots campaign had coincided with the Federal Government announcing the $272.2m Regional Growth Fund.
“There is a rare opportunity to submit an application for federal funding for this project,” Mr Pasin said.
“The fund will provide grants of $10m or more for major transformational projects which support long-term economic growth and create jobs in regions.
“Initial applications are now open and close in late April.”
The community meeting will be held at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, with doors open from 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
