Charlotte Varcoe
COMMUNITY reference group members and Mount Gambier City councillors have expressed concerns surrounding communication regarding the Wulanda Recreation Centre.
The concerns comes due to the costs and information about community access to the centre remaining under wraps.
During this month’s chamber meeting, Cr Paul Jenner asked for an update on the expected costs for the community once the centre opened.
Acting chief executive officer Barbara Cernovskis responded to the question stating the information was still being worked out and that the council was close to signing an agreement with a “partner”.
During the May council meeting, Cr Jenner also requested that a monthly report on the centre to be presented at each council meeting moving forward through a question without notice which was noted.
It did not occur at the June meeting however discussions were had regarding a recent update which was released to the public on the council’s website earlier this week.
Wulanda Centre community reference group representative Maree Thompson agreed that there had not been much information released and said she decided to join the reference group as a community member due to an interest in the project.
She stated she had only been made aware of two meetings for the reference group as well as two visits to the site.
“I joined because I wanted to see how the centre ends up and I was interested as a community member seeing as though the centre is going to be paid and used by the community,” Ms Thompson said.
“Since the reference group was made about a year ago, I have only been made aware of two meetings and two visits to the site which is disappointing.”
Ms Thompson said when she first joined she believed there would have been more meetings for the reference group, however understood there had been potential difficulties due to Covid-19.
“I understand that Covid could have made it difficult for us to meet but there would have been the possibility of virtual meetings if that were the case,” she said.
“The number of meetings was a bit less than what I was expecting and I did think there would be more communication between the group and council because at the meetings we have had it was great.”
She said during the meetings that have been held, group members have looked at plans for the centre and discussed the hopes for its future.
“The meetings we had were informative but there were never any decisions made, however I was only a representative of the community so it may not have been part of my role to do so,” Ms Thompson said.
“As a community member and representative I have been seeing the progress online when council has posted and I am surprised there hasn’t been a bit more communication or information about the progress.
“The recent progress report was interesting to see and it is about the progress I thought it would be at but I would like to see more firm information about when it is going to be able to be used and want to make sure people can use at least one of the pools this summer.”
Moving forward, Ms Thompson said she would like to have the reference group visit the site once again to see the progress in person as well as be more involved with the process.
