Recreation hub site works begin

Recreation hub site works begin

Civil works and demolition have begun at the site of Mount Gambier’s new $57.3m community and recreation hub.

Work at the Margaret Street Olympic Park site is under way to prepare for the development and construction of Mount Gambier’s largest ever infrastructure project.

Project head contractor BADGE Constructions took possession of the site a month ago, since then the existing wood chip heater and solar panels have been recovered from the old Aquatic Centre for reuse.

Mount Gambier City Council infrastructure general manager Nick Serle said BADGE was crushing stonework and recycling any bitumen and other materials for reuse on site.

“Fencing has been erected around the perimeter of the site as heavy machinery undertakes demolition work,” he said.

“To ensure public safety, the footpath behind the old Aquatic Centre from Margaret Street through to O’Halloran Terrace will be closed.

A portion of the Olympic Park car park closest to Margaret Street will also be unavailable to the public for the duration of the project build.

“Earthworks are under way and the old Baptist Church and Girl Guides buildings have been demolished. Trees and vegetation will be removed in the coming days and weeks.”

Mr Serle said the installation of the sewer connection line was expected to occur before Christmas and would require excavation through the Olympic Park car park to the hub site compound.

“As a result, there will be short term closures to the car park between now and Christmas, but plenty of notice will be provided before that happens,” he said.

“The refurbishment of the existing outdoor 50-metre pool is also expected to start next month.

“The pool will be emptied and the stairs and pipework will be removed and replaced. Exposed reinforcements will be coated with galvanised paint in preparation for the stainless steel pool insert to be installed later in the project.”

Mr Serle said time lapse photography would record the evolution of the project.

Turner & Townsend Associate Nick Argyros has been appointed project manager with more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry and has worked for architectural, construction, project management and development firms in Adelaide.

In recent years, Mr Argyros has project managed the City of Salisbury Council’s $35m community hub project, as well as the City of Marion Council’s City Services $15m depot redevelopment and performed the role of Superintendent for the Adelaide City Council’s $20m Rundle Mall redevelopment.

Mount Gambier City Council chief executive Andrew Meddle said Mr Argyros had a wealth of experience in managing projects of this scale and would serve as council’s advocate during the build and the contact point between the contractors, community and council.

Mr Argyros will also liaise with the BADGE Constructions team including senior construction manager Mark Wyatt and site manager Grenville Smith.

“Council is fortunate to have DesignInc Site architect Ben McPherson, who was born and raised in Mount Gambier, living locally during the week throughout the build,” Mr Meddle said.

“Ben has 11 years of experience and worked on the Osbourne Naval Shipbuilding Project, building the facilities for the Australian Governments $35b Future Frigate Shipbuilding Program.

He was also part of the HMAS Cerberus redevelopment in Victoria and the New Royal Adelaide Hospital.”

Council’s city infrastructure general manager Nick Serle has been appointed as senior representative to report back to council on progress, while procurement officer Lisa Hinton was closely involved with the tender process and will be involved during the build to ensure all contractual regulations are met.

Council and the project management team will meet monthly to monitor the build progress.

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