Birregurra netball and tennis courts delayed to start of spring
May 22, 2017
The completion of the Birregurra netball and tennis court redevelopment is likely to be delayed until the start of spring due to difficulties attracting tenders for the project.
Colac Otway Shire Council’s Infrastructure and Leisure General Manager Tony McGann said that while earthworks had started, it was unlikely that the courts could be sealed until warmer weather returned.
Mr McGann said Council did not receive any tenders when the project was first advertised as a ‘design and construct’ project in September 2016.
The tender was re-designed and re-advertised in three separate components in November but only one out of the three components received suitable tenders.
“Right now we’re in a very unique tender environment where many local and regional contractors busy doing work on the highway duplication and the wind farm project,” Mr McGann said.
“In the second round of tenders, we were very pleased to award the construction component of the job to Evans Earthmoving and they started work onsite in late March,” Mr McGann said.
“We had done our due diligence by having a geotechnical report completed for the site and having an engineering design prepared for the project, but when the contractor opened up the ground the underlying soil was wetter than expected.
“To deal with the wet soil we needed to stabilise that earthworks pad with lime and cement to give us a solid base to build the courts on, which caused further delay.”
Mr McGann said Council wanted to be up front with the community about expected completion dates.
“We think it’s unlikely that the courts will be completed before spring, due to the fact that construction of an asphalt surface requires mild to warm conditions to get the best results, and we think we’ve missed that window of opportunity with the weather.
“We’re committed to building quality infrastructure that stands the test of time and serves this community for the next three decades. If this means waiting until the warmer weather then that is the course of action we will take.”
Mr McGann thanked the Birregurra Football Netball Club, the Birregurra Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and the Birregurra Tennis Club for their partnership and cooperation throughout the project.
The Saints plan to play out the remainder of the 2017 home and away season at Forrest and Mr McGann said Council acknowledge that the change of venue placed additional demands on the club.
“Unfortunately the fencing component attracted two non-complying tenders, and we received no responses for the lighting component.
“We’re working proactively with the club and the reserve committee to work through some alternative ways we can tackle the fencing and lighting components,” Mr McGann said.
This project has been funded with a $100,000 grant from the State Government, a $50,000 cash contribution from Council plus $30,000 of in-kind project management, as well as $135,000 in cash and more than $16,000 in-kind from the Birregurra Recreation Reserve, Birregurra Tennis Club and Birregurra Football Netball Club.
Quotes from Birregurra Football Netball Club President Mick Paddick
“The Birregurra Football Netball Club are looking forward to the 2018 season with access to modern netball and football facilities, including court, oval, amenities and surrounds. The BFNC are committed to working with the COS, contractor, Birregurra Recreation Reserve Committee, local community and stakeholders to ensure the redevelopment program progresses to completion and is ready for access as soon as practical. The BFNC would like to acknowledge the support of its valued sponsors and members and thanks them for their patience and understanding in this challenging period for the Club.”
Council Enquiries
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