Head contractor appointed for Mount Gambier Community and Recreation Hub

BADGE Constructions have been awarded the head contractor tender for the construction of the Mount Gambier Community and Recreation Hub.

As a South Australian owned national builder, BADGE have been building commercial construction projects in Mount Gambier for more than a decade including UniSA, Mount Gambier Prison and Resthaven.

City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin advised “with facilities that will cater for the entire community and provide a significant contribution to the economy, we are very pleased to have finalised the procurement process and look forward to construction commencing on site soon.

“Mount Gambier deserves this, it is going to be a game changer for our city and after 30 years of our community asking for a facility of this type, now is the right time to invest in this project and finally get it started.”

City of Mount Gambier Chief Executive Andrew Meddle advised “this is a unique build that requires a company with suitable experience with complex infrastructure. We congratulate BADGE on their successful bid and look forward to working with the team towards making our community’s aspirations a reality.”

BADGE Managing Director Jim Whiting notes “it goes without saying that we are thrilled to be awarded this project.

“Delivering important regional infrastructure projects gives us real opportunity to contribute to the local economy during the course, and provide long-lasting community impact with a quality facility.”

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

The Council is also planning 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.

Italian based Myrtha Pools will 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.

Following the competitive tender process for the hub, the contract value has been updated to $57.3 million of which $15 million will be funded by the Federal Government and $10 million from the State Government. A minimum of $22.9 million will be injected directly back into the local economy throughout the build.

Acknowledging the increase of the project price since the original estimate, Mayor Martin said $39.1 million was based on the intermediate design in 2018 and noted “the market response to the tender process has now determined the true build cost based on the detailed design.

“We’ve listened to input from the community and included refinements that have improved the hub’s functionality, flexibility and that will reduce whole of life costs while staying true to the community’s needs and aspirations.

“Industry-wide changes have occurred since the estimated cost was established, including changes to the building code and building fire safety regulations and of course COVID-19 has significantly increased the risk profile of the project. The updated figure also includes the necessary refurbishment of the 50 metre outdoor pool.

“We have made decisions to invest heavily in sustainability measures such as a fully electric heating and cooling system, supplied by solar power that, while increasing the capital cost, will reduce the whole of life costs - for example, the solar capacity will enable the electricity to be cost neutral within seven years of the expected 50 year lifespan of the facility.”

The additional cost will be funded by Council through borrowings at a low interest rate over a period of 20 years.

The contract allows for site handover to occur in coming weeks with the project anticipated to be completed in autumn 2022.

With the tender process now complete investigation is underway to identify an operating model for the facility with Meddle adding “now that we have finalised the construction contract Council’s immediate focus will shift to securing a partnership for operating the facility that will best serve the needs of the community.

“Council maintains its commitment to ensuring the facility will be accessible for all, and affordability for all users including clubs and/or associations will be a key consideration during this process.”

To contact Myrtha Pools' Australian and New Zealand representatives, click here to visit the Myrtha Pools listing in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory. 

Images: artist impressions of Mount Gambier Recreation hub courtesy of CO-OP Studio and DesignInc