MOUNT Gambier City Council representatives visited four sport and recreation centres across the state in May to inform plans for a proposed multi-million dollar indoor/outdoor sport and recreation centre in Mount Gambier.
Cr Sonya Mezinec, Cr Josh Lynagh, chief executive Mark McShane and city growth general manager Judy Nagy visited the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre in Victor Harbor, Barossa Aquatic and Fitness, Noarlunga Leisure Centre and Campbelltown Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
The site visits follow council’s expression of interest application seeking $20m through the Federal Government’s regional growth fund.
An initial concept plan for the $40m complex features a 25m swimming pool, warm water exercise pool, splash pad for toddlers and six multi-purpose indoor courts with retractable seating for a show court.
Council’s regional sport and recreation centre committee received a report at its June meeting outlining key findings during the site visits.
Among the observations were the 50m pool at Noarlunga Leisure Centre was under-utilised despite its high profile location adjacent a shopping complex, cinema and major rail and bus terminal.
The centre, built in 1991, features a water park popular with families and operators recommended active engagement opportunities and a dedicated change room for school groups.
The Campbelltown Aquatic and Recreation Centre, which features a 25m indoor pool, health club and five multi-purpose courts, was operating at capacity after only 18 months, with 1800 members paying $770 per year to use the pool and gym facilities and 70,000 visits per month.
The $21m Fleurieu Aquatic Centre – a joint initiative of the City of Victor Harbor and Alexandrina Council – had insufficient seating for events and while community consultation had highlighted the need for water slides, they were not included.
The operators considered the exclusion of slides a shortcoming, given the pool area did not cater to young people between five and 15 years old.
Barossa Aquatic and Fitness (aka The Rex) operates at a cost of around $1.5m per year and the Barossa Council subsidises around five dollars per visit.
The site visits will inform the continued development of a full business case for the Mount Gambier project as council awaits the outcome of its initial expression of interest for federal funding.
An invitation to progress to stage two of the regional growth fund application process may be made in July.
