Mount Gambier’s new Wulanda Recreation and Convention centre has won the SA/NT award for ‘Community Facility of the Year’ at the 2023 Parks and Leisure Australia Regional Awards of Excellence.

The awards celebrate the outstanding initiatives and innovative efforts of ‘the people behind the places’ which promote good use of leisure time for a number of social, environmental and economic benefits to the community.

The ‘Community Facility of the Year’ award recognises facilities that demonstrate innovative features of design, development and operation.

Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM was thrilled with the announcement.

“We’re very proud of this fantastic community facility and those who work hard to make Wulanda a place for all,” she said.

“Wulanda is a game changer for our city.

“It is the result of an enormous amount of campaigning, design, and construction over many years by many people.”

The award nomination was submitted by project architects DesignInc.

DesignInc associate director Ben Luppino said the company was proud to see the contribution that Wulanda brought to the community recognised by the Parks and Leisure Association.

“We again thank the City of Mount Gambier council for enabling us to be part of the collaborative journey throughout the project, it is great to see such a positive response from the community,” he said.

Wulanda Recreation and Convention centre is now up for the National Awards of Excellence, which will be announced by Parks and Leisure Australia later this year.