Work is underway on the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre.
The car park has been expanded at Traralgon Sports Stadium and works now are underway on the facility.
Work is underway on the much-anticipated $57 million Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre (GRAC) and $19 million Traralgon Sports Stadium (TSS) projects amid a cascade of construction across the Latrobe Valley.
Lead GRAC contractor ADCO Constructions took control of the Breed Street site on 18 March, following the Traralgon outdoor pool’s last hurrah over the Labour Day long weekend, while lead TSS contractor Becon Constructions has been mobilizing on site since 13 March.
The decades-long community crusade for a world class aquatic centre is the headline act in a building blitz across the Valley, with works on a cast of major recreation projects either underway or on the cusp of commencing.
Morwell Recreation Reserve, Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium, Ted Summerton Reserve, Traralgon Sports Stadium, Sale Tennis Centre, and a host of community managed reserves are among the facilities now receiving a major facelift as part of the State Government’s $85 million Latrobe Valley Sports and Community Initiative.
“We are in a major phase of development of our City’s leisure facilities and we know our community will be pleased to see momentum growing behind a series of key projects that will shape liveability and lifestyle in Latrobe for generations to come,” Latrobe City Mayor Graeme Middlemiss said.
“In closing the old pool, so many community members shared with us their special connections and memories of time spent at the facility—including one request for a section of fence that their father built in the 1960s. So we are aware that we’re building much more than a pool, we are building a place that will become special in people’s hearts, that the community will embrace and create fond memories in.”
A significant number of local jobs are expected to be created throughout the construction blitz, as well as some 275 ongoing operational and support roles at the completed facilities.
Discussions between lead contractors and local sub-contractors are well underway and the Industry Capability Network and GROW Gippsland have been engaged to ensure maximum opportunity for local work on these projects.
“The Latrobe Valley Authority is working closely with Latrobe City Council to ensure maximum opportunity for local workers to be involved in these major construction projects and we are committed to ensuring the best outcomes for the community as a result of these fantastic new facilities,” Latrobe Valley Authority CEO Karen Cain said.
Up to 120 workers are anticipated to be on site at the peak of the GRAC building cycle, with completion expected in December 2020.
Both GRAC and TSS will use 90 per cent local content as designated Victorian Industry Participation Policy initiatives.
The State Government allocated $46 million for GRAC and $17 million for TSS, with the balance being funded by Latrobe City Council through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Community Sports Infrastructure Loan Scheme.
Project updates
Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium
- Full size synthetic pitch has been installed and line marking is underway
- Lighting to synthetic pitch due for installation late March
- Barrier netting to the south of the pitch to be installed in the coming weeks
Morwell Recreation Reserve
- Earthworks continuing on synthetic oval project (pictured)
- Netball courts and shared pavilion completed
- Lighting upgrade to main oval completed
- Keegan Street oval redevelopment out to tender late March
- Local builders Langden Constructions appointed to design and construct new cricket nets at Keegan Street Oval
Ted Summerton Reserve (Cricket Centre of Excellence)
- Works on $3.5 million cricket centre of excellence due to begin early April (indoor centre/pavilion + outdoor nets)
- Local company Langden Constructions awarded design and construct tender
- Detailed design underway
Traralgon Croquet Club
- New Traralgon Croquet facility at Glenview Park completed
- Multipurpose clubrooms and venue due to be fully operational in coming weeks
Traralgon Tennis Centre
- $400,000 centre upgrade complete in May 2018
- The redevelopment of 14 tennis courts and replacement of court perimeter fencing ensures Traralgon Tennis Centre can continue to accommodate internationally significant events and provide high quality facilities for local tennis players
Sale Tennis Centre
- Construction on the redevelopment is continuing, with local contractors RAL Constructions appointed for the pavilion works – using local subcontractors – and Drouin based Meluca Group carrying out the court works.
- The project involves reconstruction of 12 tennis courts, including four new red porous surfaces, meeting official requirements for ITF-level tournaments, and eight courts upgraded to improve club-level competitions.
- Ground works include upgrades to seating and shared pathways to connect facilities and court lighting to improve amenity for evening games
- Due for completion August 2019
Community Managed Places
- Lighting upgrades completed at Monash Reserve
- Netball court reconstruction and lighting upgrade project completed at Traralgon Recreation Reserve
- Installation of unisex home and away change rooms, trainers’ rooms, umpires’ change rooms, as well as male, female and family friendly amenities complete at Cowwarr Recreation Reserve
- Six other reserves undergoing upgrades as part of $5 million fund