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PAPER INC No 88
Gosford Council has voted unanimously to adopt a tender for the construction of Woy Woy’s regional leisure centre.
Peninsula residents packed the chamber of Gosford Council on Tuesday, March 9, to watch the council make the decision. Construction is set to begin in April and expected to take 70 weeks, with the pool scheduled to open in July next year. Ma nag er of Rec reat ion Services Mr Peter Hickman said that construction would start in the next few weeks. "It should be completed in Spring 2005," he said. "The Centre will provide an indoor home for the Pelicans, Water Polo, Swimming Club, Basketball and Netball. "Facilities will include three swimming pools, spa, sauna, steam room, basketball and netball courts, gymnasium, aerobics room, children’s play facilities, creche and retail facilities," he said. At the meeting, members of Woy Woy waterpolo teams, the Ettalong Pelicans, Woy Woy ASC and numerous users of the old Woy Woy pool filled the chambers and the foyer outside to hear Councils decision. Ms Terri Latella from the Greens was scheduled to speak against the motion but instead said she was turned by the numbers of people at the meeting. "These people want their pool and we have to make sure they get their pool and get it now," she said. "But we should have a commitment that there won’t be a funding blowout of the pool goes ahead." Mr Fred Ellison from the Master and Social Swimmers said that he hoped Council would get on with it. "The silent majority, shop owners and services are always asking, when are we going to get a pool?" "The location is a perfect location which we all agree on and the design of this is equal to all others. "A vote in favour would be a satisfying tribute to service on Council," he said. Cr Lynne Bockholt the pool
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was crowning glory in the Peninsula life story. "We have the silent majority of people here. This is a vote for the community. "I’m tired of people saying we don’t deserve a regional facility. Well, we’ve got one." Cr Debra Wales said that all along she had been fighting for correct funding for the pool. "I’ve fought to know exactly what it’s going to cost, and it’s coming in close to $26 million. "We now know where it’s coming from. All I’m asking for is it to be fiscally responsible. "We are now not leaving a problem with the pool and I’m pleased to say that." Cr Judith Penton said she had sat in on the committee meetings and she knew where the money was coming from all along. Cr Geoff Preece said that he thought Cr Holstein has done a terrific job. "The process I thought was very good. "We try to do the right thing," he said. Mayor Cr Robert Bell said that the plans were too far down the track to consider delaying. "The Coast deserves the best, and this is a world class facility. We should proceed," he said. Leisure Centre Committee chairman Cr Chris Holstein congratulated members of the committee such as those who represented basketball teams who came to every meeting and "copped as much flak" at times. Cr Holstein spoke of the need to close the pool early and the circumstances surrounding increased costs and acoustics. "Were always going to have knockers but at the end of the day we’re going to have a great facility," he said. Multiplex was awarded the tender to construct the centre.
Swimplex was appointed to provide the partial design, supply, installation and commissioning of the filtration and water treatment systems. Four tenders for the partial design were received from AVP Constructions, Swimplex, Trisley’s Hydraulic Services, and The Index Group Four tenders for the
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construction of the Peninsula Regional Leisure Centre were received which included the filtration and water treatment systems as reflected in the recommended Swimplex tender. These were from Belmadar, Hooker Cockram, Multiplex and Pluim Group Council’s c onsulta nts, Michael Davies and Associates, discussed the project with all tenderers to clarify costing and materials details. M u l t i p l e x w a s recommended as a result for construction of the Leisure Centre. The pool and associated roadworks are now expected to cost $26 million dollars. Funding for the project is to come from interest on funds generated through the extraordinary rate increase in 2002 and in CP31C Amendment 1 which is expected to be $19.45 million. Council currently has CP31C Amendment 2 on public exhibition in which an extra $5.50 million has been allocated to this project in the amended plan. In the event that Council does not adopt the amended plan, or varies the allocation to this project, funds will need to be sourced by other means Options available to Council include variation to the Capital Works Program or through external loan.
At the meeting, recent media reports claiming that water had been excessively leaking onto the old pool site were also discussed. Council officers informed the Council that $5.60 of water had been lost due to the leak. Cr Holstein took a $10 note out of his pocket and offered to pay for it himself. Council has produced a brochure on the Leisure Centre that can be collected from the usual places or one can be sent by calling Council on 4325 8458. Alison Branley, press release, Council Agenda CS 031, March 9
March 23 2004
Print Post Approved PP255003/04388
Ferry Street Wharf
Construction began to widen the Ettalong Ferry St Wharf on Monday, March 15.
The wharf is being widened from 1.8m to 2.6m to allow people to walk both up and down the wharf. In the mean time, the Palm Beach Ferry is picking up from
Community forums were held at Umina Beach Library on Wednesday, March 10, to discuss the Umina Beach Library upgrade and refurbishment. The
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Guyra St wharf in Booker Bay. Work is expected to be completed by Friday, March 26. Plans to widen the wharf were first raised during the 2002 bushfires when the ferry service was swamped by people trying to get to Sydney after the freeway was closed. Alison Branley, March 18
attendance to discuss concept plans for the library, to answer questions and take comments. There were two sessions on from 10.30am to 12noon and another from 7pm to 8.30pm. Council notices, March 17
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