A multisport facility servicing several sports could be developed at the Carr Confoy fields in Goulburn.
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But the project, valued at $8 million, is partly dependent on grant funding the council hopes to secure.
General manager Warwick Bennett said the facility would allow sports to attract higher level competitions to the area.
"Netball is one of the highest participation sports in the region and this would enable them to draw more state and regional competitions. It is a very exciting project," he said.
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However the facility, comprising amenities, change rooms, east and west facing grandstands and a function area, would also service touch football, junior rugby union, cricket, school sports and other activities.
Plans have been drafted for the complex, which followed an earlier proposal to build a hockey pavilion on the site. That project was abandoned when the council secured land at the Goulburn Workers Arena for hockey's new home.
Mr Bennett told The Post the council was trying to ensure all sporting facilities were up to standard.
"When I arrived (in 2014) there were very few female change rooms and we've tried to improve that at Cookbundoon (fields), North Park and the hockey centre," he said.
"We are now trying to give Carr Confoy a boost because facilities there have stopped a number of sporting events coming to Goulburn."
He recommended to Tuesday night's meeting that the council apply for $4 million under the federal government's Building Better Regions Fund - Round 6.
It is aimed at encouraging local growth opportunities emerging from what's described as 'a growing appetite' for domestic tourism and population movement to the regions.
Construction must start within 12 weeks of any agreement and the council has to equally co-fund the project.
Mr Bennett acknowledged the expense.
"This will be a large impost on our future capital works schedule as Council does need to contribute 50 per cent of the cost unless an alternative source of funding can be found," he wrote in his report.
He recommended that councillors consider options as part of the upcoming budget deliberations. These could include using existing unrestricted or internally restricted funds, or a loan over 15 years.
Tenders for other large construction projects have come in above expectation and staff have at times modified the scope of works or negotiated with companies to reduce the cost.
A separate report to Tuesday's meeting revealed that six tenders for the new Hockey Complex amenities exceeded the $600,000 budget. Operations director Matt O'Rourke attributed this to current high demand in the construction market, materials shortage and cost.
He recommended that none of the tenders be accepted, the scope be reviewed in an effort to reduce the cost, and fresh tenders be invited.
Mr Bennett said the Carr Confoy estimate was based on recent new pricing but he expected this and the cost of North Park upgrades to grow when it came to the tender process.
The North Park works include improvements to the field, irrigation, grandstands, an amenities block, and a pavilion or multi-purpose building.
Mr Bennett said the council would apply for state grants in coming months for the Carr Confoy amenities.
"It's an exciting design and it will ensure Carr Confoy have adequate facilities for the next 50 to 60 years."
The building would be constructed on the existing amenities block site, which the GM said sat on a mound out of the flood zone.
However the block was flooded during heavy rain in December. An examination of the earlier hockey proposal also mentioned the flood risks.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
