Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre

The longest single glulam timber beams ever shipped to Australia - spanning up to 42 metres, have been loaded on to two trucks to make the journey from the wharf in Port Melbourne to the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre construction site on Margaret Street in Mount Gambier South Australia today Tuesday 22 June 2021 and Thursday 24 June 2021.

The timber beams at Zeebrugee Port, Belgium. Image courtesy HESS TIMBER

13 full length glued laminated timber beams measuring 42 metres and two segmented beams were produced by German timber engineering project specialist HESS TIMBER for the pool hall within the $57.3 million Wulanda development.

The timber rafters were crafted at HESS TIMBER’s production facility in Kleinheubach, Germany. The beams departed from Zeebrugee Terminal in Belgium at the end of April and travelled approximately 25,000 kilometres via ocean to Australia as break-bulk-cargo, arriving at the wharf in Port Melbourne on Saturday 12 June 2021.

A specialist South Australian freight contractor used two mobile hydraulic cranes to unload the beams from the ocean freight platforms, called multi-purpose boogies (MPB), and on to each truck which will carry three to four timber beams to their destination in Mount Gambier over four loads.

The long and oversized loads will measure 2.5 metres wide and 49 metres in length. Three certified pilots will be required to escort the loads through Victoria to South Australia.

The trucks will travel under police escort and will follow a pre-approved traffic management plan.

The timber beams arrived at the wharf in Port Melbourne on Saturday 12 June 2021. Image courtesy of Sandstruct.

The travel route from Port Melbourne to Olympic Park in Mount Gambier:

• Kooringa Way, Port Melbourne,
• Webb Dock Road,
• West Gate Freeway,
• Princes Freeway,
• Hamilton Highway,
• Lismore – Skipton Road,
• Glenelg Highway,
• Dunkeld – Cavendish Road,
• Henty Highway,
• Glenelg Highway,
• Worrolong Road,
• Riddoch Hwy
• Bay Road,
• Margaret Street, Mount Gambier.

Learn more about the timber used for the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre with DesignInc Architect Ben Luppino and HESS TIMBER’s Tyson Infanti on the Timber Talks podcast.

Council has endorsed a new brand for the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre, as development continues on the major community facility on site at Olympic Park on Margaret Street.

The Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre was officially named in December 2020 following extensive community consultation for name suggestions and a public vote.

“Council really wanted to honour the cultural significance of the name Wulanda meaning ‘to cherish or enjoy’ and respectfully acknowledge the spiritual connection of our Boandik Peoples to the land and water that Mount Gambier sits upon today,” Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre Committee Presiding Member Councillor Ben Hood said.

Council commissioned local First Nations artist Belinda Bonney to create artwork to be incorporated within the centre’s brand identity. Adelaide Design Agency KWP worked with Ms Bonney to ensure design elements were incorporated respectfully within the logo and brand through culturally appropriate digital design elements.

“I’m really proud to be part of this process and to have my artwork, the symbol for waterways, included in the branding for the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre,” First Nations artist Belinda Bonney said.

“If we keep our waterways strong and flourishing for the next generation, we’ll be able to continue to meet, connect and enjoy being on Country, which is everything the centre will offer us when it is finished.”

The logo takes inspiration from the rounded corners featured within the design of the building and the overlapping shapes reinforce the idea of connection.

The intent behind the branding was to reflect the landmark nature of the facility, a space that will elevate and enhance community connection, wellbeing, culture and identity.

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City of Mount Gambier is seeking applications from the community for the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre Stage 3 Community Reference Group (CRG).

The CRG provides an opportunity for members of the community to have input into the future operational model for the major centre currently being built at Olympic Park on Margaret Street, Mount Gambier.

"The committee is established by Council to provide considered advice to assist decision making on matters associated with the development of the centre," City of Mount Gambier Acting CEO Barbara Cernovskis said.

“The new CRG committee follows the work of the former CRG which was established in May 2018 to provide advice to assist Council with the initial planning stages of the development. As we move forward with the build, the Terms of Reference for the CRG have been updated to better reflect the construction and operational/activation phases of the project.”

The CRG seeks up to 21 individuals and representatives from the education sector, allied health sector, early childhood sector, retirement and aged care sector, first nations community, young persons (aged 12-25 years), disability sector, community services sector, sporting/recreation clubs, swimming, basketball, netball, music/performing arts/events industry and other community groups.

The committee will meet once every two months.

Apply today:

• read the Terms of Reference
• submit the online application; or
• download the hardcopy application. Hardcopies also available from the Council office at the Civic Centre, 10 Watson Terrace, Mount Gambier.

Applications must be received by 5:00pm on Wednesday 10 March 2021.

Construction on site at the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre is moving quickly as head contractor BADGE Constructions makes progress on the development of the major two-story structure at Olympic Park on Margaret Street.

City of Mount Gambier City Infrastructure General Manager Nick Serle said loadbearing block walls had been erected within the building internally, in readiness for slab brace walls and concrete columns to support the structure.

“The installation of the foyer and emergency stair formwork is underway and footings excavation and concrete works have also begun in the sports courts area,” Mr Serle said.

The refurbishment of the existing outdoor 50 metre pool has commenced, in addition to initial works for the internal 25 metre pool, learn to swim pool, program pool and splash pad area.

“The stairs and handrails have been removed from the 50 metre pool and excavation, reinforcement and concrete works for the footings for the internal pools is underway.”

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The Community and Recreation Hub will now officially be known as Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre after Council endorsed the name for the facility being built at Olympic Park at its monthly meeting last night.

Wulanda means ‘enjoy or cherish’ in Bunganditj language, representing the Boandik community as the traditional owners of the land.

“The Bunganditj Language Reclamation committee feel that the choice, ‘Wulanda’ Recreation and Convention Centre is an excellent combination of Bunganditj and English,” Bunganditj Language Reclamation Committee member Aunty Michelle Jacquelin-Furr said.

“In terms of reconciliation it is important to recognise the long association with country of First Nations People and to acknowledge their place in modern society. The inclusion of Bunganditj in the name contributes to the healing process for the First Nations People and acknowledges our place on country, here in Berrin.”

Wulanda accounted for majority (44%) of the community vote during the consultation period from Friday 23 October 2020 to Friday 13 November 2020.

“Council received 143 submissions regarding the name for the building, with Wulanda the clear favourite, followed by Mount Gambier CoRe at 35% and Berrin at 21%,” City of Mount Gambier Acting CEO Barbara Cernovskis said.

Community preferences for the facility’s extended title were also presented to Council for consideration and endorsement.

“The preferred extended title was for Community, Sport and Recreation Hub at 57%, Sport Recreation and Entertainment Centre at 22% and Convention and Recreation Centre receiving 21% of the preferences.”

“After much deliberation Council decided that Recreation and Convention Centre was the best reflection of the social and economic benefits the facility will return to our community,” Ms Cernovskis said.

Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre was chosen following a total of 162 name suggestions provided during two rounds of community consultation to find a name in 2019.

"Community input into the naming process has been invaluable and Council thanks residents for their interest and contributions to find a name for what will be the largest facility of its type in our region."

“The Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre will feature state of the art aquatic fitness, sports, cultural, youth, café and creche facilities and Council is excited to take another important step towards bringing this project to life for our community.”

“Now that we have a name, Council will develop a brand that reflects the aspirations of the community for the facility to be a place that people want to visit, experience and return to,” Ms Cernovskis said.

City of Mount Gambier has shortlisted three potential names for the Community and Recreation Hub: Wulanda, Berrin and Mount Gambier CoRe. Council is calling on community members to make their preferences known and recommend an extended title for the new facility.

Council received 162 name suggestions following two rounds of community consultation to find a name in 2019.

“Council appreciates all of the contributions provided by the community and Elected Members had a difficult decision to whittle down the list of potential names,” City of Mount Gambier CEO Andrew Meddle said.

“Several names that incorporated First Nations language from the Bunganditj dictionary were suggested, representing the Boandik language of the traditional owners of the land.”

The Regional Sport and Recreation Centre Committee shortlisted three names that met the criteria for Council’s endorsement at its monthly meeting this week, including:

• Wulanda - Bunganditj language which means ‘enjoy, cherish’.
• Berrin - Bunganditj language which means ‘Mount Gambier’.
• Mount Gambier CoRe - an acronym for community and recreation that references centre, hub, heart.

The Bunganditj Language Reclamation Committee reviewed all community submissions and provided its support for the use of the two suggested Bunganditj names.

The following terms are also presented to the community to guide and inform Elected Members on community sentiment regarding an extended title for the new facility:

• Convention and Recreation Centre.
• Community, Sport and Recreation Hub.
• Sport, Recreation and Entertainment Centre.

"You may like the sound of Wulanda Convention and Recreation Centre, or perhaps Berrin Community, Sport and Recreation Hub. The community is now invited to tell us which combination of names they like best" Mr Meddle said.

To indicate your preferred name for the Community and Recreation Hub, complete the Name the Facility form.

“People without internet access are encouraged to visit the Library to lodge their online submission. One submission per registration is permitted,” Mr Meddle said.

Community consultation opens on Friday 23 October 2020 and will close on Friday 13 November 2020 with submissions presented to Council for consideration and a final decision.

“The name of the Community and Recreation Hub is important. It is the largest project that Council has ever undertaken and it needs a name and brand that reflects the aspirations of the community for the facility to be a place that people want to visit, experience and return to,” Mr Meddle said.

Turner & Townsend Associate Nick Argyros is Council’s Project Manager for the Community and Recreation Hub project. Mr Argyros has 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 $35 million Community Hub project, as well as the City of Marion Council’s City Services $15 million Depot Redevelopment and performed the role of Superintendent for the Adelaide City Council’s $20 million Rundle Mall redevelopment.

“Nick has a wealth of experience in managing projects of this scale and is Council’s advocate during the build and the contact point between the contractors, community and Council,” City of Mount Gambier CEO Andrew Meddle said.

"I look forward to working closely with the City of Mount Gambier, the greater community and DesignInc to deliver this iconic project" Project Manager Nick Argros said.

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 experience and worked on the Osbourne Naval Shipbuilding Project, building the facilities for the Australian Governments $35billion Future Frigate Shipbuilding Program. He was also part of the HMAS Cerberus redevelopment in Victoria and the New Royal Adelaide Hospital."

"Working on the Mount Gambier Hub in a leading role is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to such a significant project in my home town" Site Architect Ben McPherson said.

City Infrastructure General Manager Nick Serle has been appointed as Council’s senior representative to report back to Council on progress associated with the project. City of Mount Gambier Procurement Officer Lisa Hinton was closely involved with the tender process and will be involved throughout the build to ensure that all contractual regulations are met.

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

The Community and Recreation Hub project is supported by a $15 million grant from the Australian Government Regional Growth Fund and a $10 million grant from the South Australian Government Regional Growth Fund.

Civil works and demolition has begun on site at Olympic Park on Margaret Street to prepare for the development and construction of the City of Mount Gambier’s largest ever infrastructure project, the Community and Recreation Hub.

Head contractor for the project BADGE Constructions took possession of the site on Monday 28 September 2020. Since then, the existing wood chip heater and solar panels have been recovered from the old Aquatic Centre for reuse.

“BADGE is also crushing stonework and recycling any bitumen and other materials for reuse on site,” City of Mount Gambier City Infrastructure General Manager Nick Serle said.

Fencing has been erected around the perimeter of the site as heavy machinery undertakes demolition work. 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.

“To manage traffic during the build, the remaining portion of the Olympic Park car park will be one way only,” Mr Serle said.

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

The installation of the sewer connection line is expected to occur before Christmas and will require excavation through the Olympic Park car park to the Community and Recreation 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.”

The refurbishment of the existing outdoor 50 metre pool is expected to begin in November 2020.

“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 will record the evolution of the project as the build progresses.

The Community and Recreation Hub project is supported by a $15 million grant from the Australian Government Regional Growth Fund and a $10 million grant from the South Australian Government Regional Growth Fund.

The City of Mount Gambier will hand over the Olympic Park site on Margaret Street to head contractor for the Community and Recreation Hub project BADGE Constructions on Monday 28 September 2020. The Council held a celebratory event on site this afternoon in preparation for the milestone.

The event included a special Welcome to Country led by Aunty Penny Bonney and Uncle Mikey Hartman and a Smoking Ceremony to acknowledge the coming together of culture and people to promote the protection and wellbeing of all in its development, performed by Uncle Doug Nicholls.

“Today is an exciting day for our city. Following the completion of the tender process and the execution of the building contract for the Community and Recreation Hub project, work will soon begin on the largest infrastructure project the Council has ever undertaken,” said City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM.

The year-round multipurpose facility is designed for people of all ages and abilities including children, families, youth, community groups, recreational and organised sports and those with special needs.

“The Community and Recreation Hub is a truly transformational project for our city. The facility will increase the city’s ability to host major state and national sporting competitions, conferences, events and performances to provide significant social and economic benefits to Mount Gambier for decades to come.”

Mayor Martin said there is no better time to start the build as our community begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our State and Federal Governments are encouraging local Councils to do their bit to stimulate the economy with major infrastructure projects. BADGE constructions will invest $22.9 million locally through trades and suppliers during the construction period alone, providing a significant boost to the local economy in these challenging times."

“The Community and Recreation Hub will be a game changer for Mount Gambier, a community space for everyone. We deserve a facility of this calibre and the Council is excited to get started on the build,” said Mayor Martin.

The new facility is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022.

City of Mount Gambier will host a series of community Q&A sessions regarding the Community and Recreation Hub project following the completion of the tender process and the execution of the building contract.

City of Mount Gambier CEO Andrew Meddle said there are several mistruths about the project circulating throughout the community and encouraged people to get the facts.

“There is a difference between fact and opinion. We want to dispel the myths about the project and answer your questions,” Mr Meddle said.

“The tender process took a year to complete and during that time Council had a responsibility to ensure that the matter remained in confidence to protect the interests of the community by maintaining the integrity and competitive nature of the tender process. Now that the contract has been signed, we can provide significant detail on this game changing project.”

City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin, Elected Members and the CEO will be present at the sessions to discuss the project.

"This is your opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what the Community and Recreation Hub will offer" said Mayor Mayor Martin.

“Since the signing of the contract on Monday 24 August 2020 Council has been considering how it can best communicate with our community about the project. This has been challenging due to COVID-19 restrictions and it has been decided the sessions will run by demand and by registration only for contact tracing purposes in line with SA Health guidelines.”

Interested community members will need to phone 8721 2526 to book a seat at a session, the first of which will be held on Tuesday 22 September 2020.