Details on entry prices into the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre will be made known over the coming months as Mount Gambier City Council finalises contract negotiations.
The question of entry fees was raised by Mount Gambier City councillor Paul Jenner at council’s December monthly meeting.
“Everyone wants to know how much it is going to cost to go into the centre,” Cr Jenner said.
Responses in relation to the centre would usually be made by council’s infrastructure general manager Barbara Cernovskis.
However, she was absent for the first 15 minutes of the council meeting, during which time the matter was raised.
Council’s chief executive Sarah Philpott said Ms Cernovskis was attending another meeting in regards to Wulanda and subsequently took the opportunity to answer on her behalf.
Ms Philpott said contract negotiations with an operator were under way.
“Once the contract is in place, specific negotiations with sports will proceed. Details of entry prices, numbers of attendees will be determined over coming months,” she said.
“At the moment, as councillors are aware, we are still in the process of arranging our agreement with the operator and that is getting much closer.
“Early in the calendar year we anticipate that will be finished, then negotiations in regard to any sporting groups going into the centre will progress from there.
“With regard to costs for entering the building, yearly fees and how many people entering is not yet available. Our first step is to get the operator on board, then continue the work from there.
“We have some indications as councillors are aware in terms of the operator’s previous presentation around overarching intent but costs have not been established.”
Ms Philpott said council recognised a number of questions continued to arise from the community.
“We recognise the community is so eager to get into the centre and start to use it,” she said.
Ms Philpott anticipated in the first three months of the new calendar year council would start “firming up” details.
“Once we have that agreement, we can speak about details more freely,” she said.
“The Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre is an exciting and important facility for our community.
“Wulanda will remain in council’s ownership and an operator will be formally engaged in the new year to work in partnership with council and run the centre on our behalf.
“In regards to the use of the facility, council will abide by the principles of competitive neutrality as outlined in the National Competition policy.”
Meanwhile, opening of the centre was also discussed during the meeting with councillors agreeing to take part in a workshop to contribute ideas towards the event.
Cr Jenner moved that a workshop be conducted in January or February for councillors to discuss and contribute ideas towards the opening.
“We are going to have to get started on an opening of the building. These kinds of things do not just happen overnight. We start the process,” he said.
Mayor Lynette Martin agreed an opening event does require a lot of planning.
“The matter certainly has not gone unnoticed that we need to start planning an event like this,” she said.
The motion was seconded by Cr Christian Greco and carried.
Meanwhile, further discussion on the management and operation as well as an update of the hub was held in confidence.
It was agreed the item would be held in confidence due to matters relating to the negotiation and execution of a contract.
