BLUE Lake Sports Park will undergo a facelift and Mount Gambier residents are invited to have their say on a draft masterplan released for consultation.
Released by the City of Mount Gambier recently, the purpose of the draft Blue Lake Sports Park Master Plan is to provide a direction for future development at the site.
It is already home to multiple sports, including hockey, cycling, football, netball and soccer.
While the plan does not include any additional sports spaces, it does include improvements to the existing spaces to ensure they are suitable for the needs of the community.
The draft masterplan highlights the need for improvements to many of the sports fields with football pitches and tennis courts deemed “substandard.”
Other issues identified were poor community access, poor condition of toilets, a lack of changing facilities for some sports and a lack of shelter for spectators.
The draft masterplan offers two options, both of which will bring facilities up to a compliant standard with the second option including the relocation of football and netball facilities and the creation of improved spectator facilities.
Both plans include new netball/tennis courts, new shared facilities including public toilets, change facilities, additional storage and canteens, multi-use space with provision for future athletics facilities and a new adventure play space as well as upgrades to existing facilities and playing fields, improved lighting and spectator seating.
It also includes the creation of space and access to facilities for events and public art.
General manager city and community growth Tim Coote said Mount Gambier has a diverse range of sport and recreation facilities and the development of master plans for key reserves is important in providing a holistic view and clear direction to guide sport and recreation provision for the city, now and into the future.
“The plan aims to improve connections within the reserve and beyond, futureproof the facilities on the site, further enhance the existing open reserve character with environmentally sustainable outcomes, and develop the area as a destination that the wider community can engage with,” he said.
However, he said the master plan is not a development commitment by Council and does not indicate priority over other current or future strategic initiatives or developments.
Community members are encouraged to view the draft master plan and share their feedback by completing the form at www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au/blsp-mp or by calling Council on 8721 2555.
Consultation closes on June 24.
