|
|
|
|
 |
| |
Page Last Updated:
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
|
|
|
|
Home>GESAC construction approved. Cost to Council: $24m
Council has unanimously awarded the construction contract to build the first Stage of the Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC).
The contract sum is $36,028,465.72. After allowing for Commonwealth funding of $10m and State funding to date of $2.5m, the construction cost-to-Council is approximately $24m.
The successful contactor, Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd, has built many major facilities including the Cranbourne Recreation and Aquatic Centre ($37m) opened earlier this year.
|  | | |
| Construction is expected to start in October 2009 with GESAC opening for the summer of 2011-12.
The first Stage includes the 50 metre outdoor pool, indoor 25 metre pool, learn-to-swim pool, warm water program pool, two water slides, large gym, wellness facilities, crèche, traffic lights on East Boundary Road and parking.
Council made a submission to the State Government in April 2009 for a contribution towards the indoor courts. The Government has yet to make a decision on the request. If the decision is favourable, Council will immediately exercise an option under the current contract to include the construction of the indoor courts for the sum of $5,188,574.00. Council will make its decision after the State Government makes theirs.
Council has until October 2010 if it wants to have the indoor courts included as part of the current contract. (Because the facility will take nearly two years to build, the tendered price to include the indoor courts later was the same as to include them from the start.)
The Mayor, Cr Helen Whiteside, said that the facility would provide something for everyone for decades to come. “GESAC will cater for the needs of toddlers learning to swim, teenagers, lap swimmers, people needing rehabilitation and every member of the community who wants to keep fit and well.”
The Chair of the Pools Steering Committee, Cr Michael Lipshutz, said “By undertaking this project when the economy is down and by convincing the Federal and State governments to join in partnership with us, Council will provide the Glen Eira Community with an outstanding community facility for about two-thirds what it would normally cost ratepayers.”
The Mayor paid tribute to the partnership with the Commonwealth and State governments which has made the project possible.
“We are particularly grateful to our local Federal Member, Hon Simon Crean MP for the $10m Federal funding.
“The State Government has contributed $2.5m under the Better Pools program. Basketball and netball are major growth sports and are worthy of State support. We look forward to a favourable response to our request in April 2009 for State Government funding towards the indoor courts.”
Tucker Ward Councillors Jamie Hyams and Jim Magee said that GESAC would provide 1st class recreation facilities in East Bentleigh for all residents of Glen Eira, including the schools, seniors and clubs.
| |
| |
|