TREATED timber beams considered to be used in the Mount Gambier Community Recreation Centre are likely to come from interstate, a City Council sub-committee has heard.
Members of council’s Regional Sport and Recreation committee discussed preliminary works for the $40m centre and the potential use of timber in construction.
Presiding member Ben Hood and committee member Dr Judy Nagy told members they had met with architects on Wednesday and confirmed the secondary structure and features within the centre will use timber.
Cr Hood said it was hoped “feature walls and other items” would include timber features.
The committee discussed using timber for primary structures or using cross timber, which cannot be produced within the South East and would more likely come from Queensland or Victoria.
Councillor Max Bruins questioned whether local timber elements could be refined in Queensland which Dr Nagy mentioned would add freight costs.
“If we are supporting the timber industry in Australia to create an innovative application of some cross laminated timber we are still supporting the timber industry,” she said.
“If it is made in another state there is still that positive statement that comes out of that even though it may not be made locally.”
Cr Hood said cross laminated timber, as well as any steel beams would not be produced within the region.
The cost implications will be examined in a feasibility study which is estimated to be complete within the next six week.
The study will look at site surveys, geotechnology, existing site infrastructure and aquatic infrastructure as well as timber structure.
It will assist the committee in determining whether to use steel or laminated timber beams for the structure from both a cost and a structural purpose.
Span and weight bearing capacity will also be investigated.
