The doors will be flung open to Mount Gambier’s Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre tomorrow – marking the start of a new recreation era in the region.

The $62.5m Margaret Street facility has been described by Mount Gambier’s Mayor Lynette Martin as transformative for the community.

“Wulanda is incredible. Words do not do justice to the scale, quality, features and craftsmanship of Wulanda,” Mayor Martin said.

“Book a tour or a swim this weekend and see it for yourself, and you will be amazed at just how spectacular Wulanda is.

“It is incredible to see timber and limestone – hallmarks of our region – so prominently and beautifully used throughout the centre.”

Mayor Martin said she was proud of the facility that Mount Gambier City Council had created.

“It is so exciting for Mount Gambier,” she said.

“It was a bold decision of council to proceed with the construction of Wulanda, the largest infrastructure project our city has ever seen and I am sure our residents will have a sense of pride when they see and experience the facility.

“Wulanda, which means to cherish and enjoy, will change the liveability of Mount Gambier and provide us with an inter-generational facility for decades to come.

“I encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to preview the centre this weekend.”

Mayor Martin said Wulanda was an incredible multi-purpose community centre with facilities and activities for all ages and abilities, including children, families, youth, community groups, recreational and organised sports, and those with special needs.

“The community has affordable access to a state-of-the-art facility, with four swimming pools, a splashpad, and six multi-sport courts,” she said.

“In addition to the sports, there are community spaces, meeting rooms, convention capacity and indoor capacity for concerts and events that exceed anything in our state outside of Adelaide.

“Because Wulanda has so many amazing features it is difficult to highlight any one in particular, but I am very excited that this multi-functional facility allows for everyone in our community to enjoy it.

“Wulanda will be life-changing for our residents.

“In particular the program pool will enable people of all abilities and those with special needs to enjoy the facility, just as other members of our community can.

“Another favourite is the splash zone which will delight the young people in our community and I cannot wait to see them enjoying it.”

Mayor Martin said the financial spin-offs had already started throughout the local community.

“Even before the first event is booked, Wulanda has benefitted local trades and contractors by more than $22m throughout the build,” she said.

“This figure does not account for the corresponding investment in hospitality and accommodation venues by visiting businesses and services.

“Around 60% of the project has been spent either locally in our region or South Australia.

“Mount Gambier has never seen this level of community investment before, which will be transformative for the community.

“Building Wulanda has been a long journey for the community, and their patience will be rewarded the moment they walk into the centre – it is an utterly stunning building.

“Wulanda is the result of an enormous amount of campaigning, design, and construction over many years by many people. Mount Gambier deserves this.

“Wulanda is a game changer for our city and after 30 years of our community asking for a facility of this type, I’m proud that we invested in this project.”

Mayor Martin said she could see the venue hosting a range of events, some of which could not previously be held in the region.

“Early next year Wulanda is hosting the 2023 SA Country Swimming Championships, the Mount Gambier Pioneers will be calling the centre home, sharing our city with their NBL1 competitors from across the country, and we’re already fielding calls for national conventions to be held at Wulanda,” she said.

“As the centre finishes its final stages of construction early next year, we will be able to host concerts for crowds of up to 2000 – something we have never had indoors before.”