MARCH 20: MOUNT Gambier City Council allocates $30,000 to have concept plans drawn ahead of a potential bid for federal funding.
The resolution follows Cr Frank Morello’s motion to refresh decade-old plans and feasibility studies for an indoor pool.
MARCH 21: THE momentum of the grassroots campaign leads to a community meeting at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.
More than 300 people attend the public forum and a further 400 apologies are received.
Those in attendance unanimously endorse the formation of a steering committee to drive the project.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin announces funding is up for grabs through the Federal Government’s Regional Growth Fund, if an expression of interest application is lodged by April 30.
APRIL 3: MEMBERS of the steering committee formed at the public meeting distribute hundreds of petitions to local businesses, hoping to secure 20,000 signatures in 20 days.
The committee hopes the petition will show overwhelming community support for the proposed sports and recreation hub, effectively granting council a social license to pursue the multi-million dollar project.
APRIL 20: THE steering committee announces almost 10,000 people from across the region have signed the petition.
APRIL 26: THE public viewing gallery at the city council chamber overflows as elected members discuss the potential bid for federal funding.
Council is presented with the petition – signed by more than 10,000 people – and elected members unanimously endorse the submission of an expression of interest application for the Regional Growth Fund.
The expression of interest application is submitted.
JUNE 26: COUNCIL seeks applications from community members interested in joining a reference group to inform the design of the proposed sports and recreation centre.
JULY 20: ARCHITECTURAL firm DesignInc Adelaide is appointed to complete the intermediate design for the building following a tender process.
A community reference group is endorsed by council.
The 17 reference group members represent sporting clubs, schools and community groups.
AUGUST 15: A DRAFT concept plan is unveiled and council calls for community input before the design is finalised.
AUGUST 22: COUNCIL resolves to conduct an elector survey to formally gauge support for the project following local government elections.
An outcome from the Federal Government is still pending following council’s expression of interest application.
OCTOBER 18: COUNCIL releases the refined intermediate design and announces the community and recreation hub will cost $39.1m to construct, while operational costs will not lead to rate increases.
Market research company Marketing Solutions is engaged to conduct a postal survey of over 19,000 electors in the city in November.
OCTOBER 19: TONY Pasin reveals the Federal Government has earmarked $15m for the project, pending the outcome of the elector survey.
The $15m windfall is the largest grant the city has ever received, eclipsing the $5m federal grant received for the construction of the main corner and library.
Council continues to lobby the State Government to match the federal funding commitment.
NOVEMBER 12: COUNCIL ramps up its community engagement ahead of the elector survey, hosting pop-up information sessions at venues across the city.
Chief executive Mark McShane and independent MP Troy Bell meet with state infrastructure minister Stephan Knoll to identify potential funding streams.
