City of Mount Gambier to continue search for name for new community and recreation hub

The City of Mount Gambier’s search for a name for its new aquatic, recreation and sport hub - the largest infrastructure project that the Council has ever undertaken - is to continue.

In May, the Council resolved to undertake a month-long engagement program to invite the community to submit ideas for a name for the new facility.

However, while the Regional Sport and Recreation Centre Committee received 74 name submissions it has decided to extend the process to allow additional name ideas to be lodged as the project unfolds.

City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin stated “Council is appreciative of all name submissions received during the consultation process and we thank all who participated at this stage. We want to assure the community that these ideas will be considered.

“From the ideas we received, it is clear that people want the name of the (project) to reflect a sense of pride of place. We saw multiple references to Mount Gambier, the Blue Lake and Olympic Park.”

Mayor Martin indicated that all submitted names will be retained and the community consultation process will be extended over the coming months to allow for additional name ideas to be lodged as the project unfolds, adding “Council is now at the stage where we can begin to share updates on the detailed design of the project. This is important with regard to a potential name as we want to ensure that the community can really envisage what the hub will be and its importance within the community.

“Therefore, we continue to invite people to put their thinking caps on and keep their ideas flowing for a name as we move forward with the project over the coming months.”

The Committee indicated that it is seeking a name that reflects the facility as a whole.

As Mayor Martin explained “we’d like a name that represents the entire multi-purpose community space including facilities and activities for all ages and abilities, cultural and recreational activities, not just based on aquatics, or sport.”

In the meantime, Council has been working with architects CO-OP Studio and DesignInc on the detailed design features within the facility.

The Council is also to refurbish the 50 metre outdoor pool at the Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre spending $1.735million to bring the pool up to modern standards and provide an additional 15 years of use.

Based on reports on the condition of the existing Olympic-size swimming pool it has committed to line the pool with a steel surface and an additional liner which will sit within the existing concrete shell and utilise the new heating, filtration and pump system proposed for the indoor facility.

Name ideas for the new facility can be submitted to the Community and Recreation Hub naming boxes located at the Civic Centre, Library and Main Corner Complex as well as online at www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au

Images: Outside impression of the planned Regional Sport and Recreation Centre (top) and the Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre (below).