After Federation Council’s decision yesterday, Mayor Pat Bourke said it is a very exciting milestone to drive forward this project.
“The new facility will include an indoor heated learn to swim program pool with 3 x 25m practice lanes, a dedicated learn to swim area, reception and café area, amenities blocks, plant rooms, outdoor splash pad and competition standard eight-lane 50 metre pool.
“The previously consulted final design was used for the tender process, as this was very well received by the Community and endorsed by the Swimming Pool Advisory Committee.”
While the project is pending final approval from the Joint Regional Planning Panel, the appointed contractor will commence detailed design and engineering for the pools and associated structures on the site.
“Council will soon be starting the demolition works of the 50m pool shell and administration building and will also undertake works to reconfigure the power and water supplies in the local area to ensure a safe and reliable supply is available to both the pool and the new Ball Park Multisport Pavilion site,” the mayor said.
Council is aware of issues in the past with the old pool moving due to underground water pressure and as such have appointed Cardno Consulting, a National specialist consulting firm with recognized expertise in geotechnical and structural engineering to provide advice, design and supervision of filling and compaction works to ensure a stable platform is constructed for the new 50m pool.
Construction will commence on site in early 2020 following the completion of detailed design and receipt of the development approval.
Mayor Bourke thanks councillors and staff, the Swimming Pool Advisory Committee, the community for their patience, and council’s various funding partners. “All of their hard work has allowed council to get to this point,” he said.
“We know we have got a way to go, but it’s great to get to this point finally and have a contractor engaged.”
Howlong’s big Lowe Square project
Federation Council has resolved to award the contract to construct the new Howlong Multipurpose Hall and Gymnasium at Lowe Square Howlong, to G & P Connelly trading as Connelly Construction Services, for the lump sum of $1,521,830 including GST.
Mayor Bourke said the Howlong Football Club and Federation Council were successful in gaining grant funding towards the construction of a Community Hall and Community Fitness Centre as extensions to the Lowe Square Sports Pavilion building.
“This much needed project involves modification and a major extension to the existing football ground sports pavilion,” he said.
“The construction includes a new community hall for community functions, and a community fitness centre including a gymnasium.
“This project is in the existing Master Plan for Lowe Square (2011) and includes upgrading the Sports Pavilion change rooms and amenities to meet modern standards and provide a comfortable, friendly and inclusive facility.”
The project will enable the Howlong community to host a greater number of local activities and events, be more self-sufficient, and be more inclusive and connected.
”The community will remember the recent extensive community consultation on this, which also endorsed use of the remaining Howlong Town Improvement Fund, towards this exciting new facility for the Howlong Community,” Mayor Bourke said.
The Howlong Football Club has carried out the planning and preparations of the plans for the extensions. Council approved the Development Application earlier this year.
The contract work is expected to be completed by June 2020.
In other news, just as The Free Press was going to print, the successful tender for construction of Ball Park Multisport Pavilion is Corowa builder David Lane.
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