| 20 July 2012 |
Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam has announced that Council had selected the Central Business District as the site for a new Circular Head Aquatic Leisure Centre.
“Council came to this decision in consideration of feedback from an extensive consultation process and previous reports that have recommended the CBD as the best site for such a development,” Mayor Quilliam said.
Following the endorsement of a communications plan at the Council meeting on April 17, Council undertook an extensive consultation process on a new Aquatic Leisure Centre which included the dissemination of information relating to four (4) site options considered for the new aquatic centre and the concept plans for the preferred site. These sites were the central CBD site, the Circular Head Community & Recreation Centre, the Smithton Sports Centre and the existing pool site
Mayor Quilliam said the consultation period from May 16 to June 29 included invitations to property owners and business operators in the CBD, one-on-one information sessions, presentations to community groups, advertisements, media releases, a Mayors Message, information sessions, information on Council’s web site and an integrated social media campaign.
“During the six weeks of public exhibition, Council received a number of submissions via email, in writing and via Council’s Facebook site,” Mayor Quilliam said.
Mayor Quilliam said following last night’s decision, Council had now directed the Strategic Projects Office to work with Liminal Architecture to progress the design and documentation of the Circular Head Aquatic Leisure Centre, on the Central CBD site.
“Council has also authorised the Strategic Projects Office to liaise with third parties that may wish to co-locate to a new Circular Head Aquatic Leisure Centre and progress draft designs and agreements relative to co-location and floor layout.”
Mayor Quilliam said the work by the Strategic Projects Office would include the engagement of a geotechnical survey on site, work on a traffic management plan and further talks with interested groups and affected businesses.
“Part of this work will also see the development of a business plan for the Aquatic Leisure Centre that looks at the economic and social opportunities of incorporating services such as Rural Health services, a gym and other facilities,” Mayor Quilliam said.
“The Strategic Projects Office will also be establishing a newsletter database and a dedicated webpage on Council’s website. This process will ensure Council continues to keep community informed about this exciting and innovative project.”
As part of this process Council will be liaising with the State and Federal Government in regards to funding of the project.
Background
In 2011, building on previous reports, Council commissioned H.M. Leisure Planning and Inspiring Place to produce the Smithton Leisure and Recreation Development Plan (the Plan).
The Plan was commissioned to study the provision of recreation facilities across three key sites in Smithton, to undertake consultation with stakeholders and provide recommendations and site concepts for a new indoor aquatic facility.
The initial considered sites were the Circular Head Community & Recreation Centre, The Smithton Sports Centre and the existing pool site. During the development of the Plan and upon reviewing related urban development plans and reports concerned with the future planning of Smithton’s central business district (CBD), the consultants recommended a fourth possible site in relation to a new aquatic centre.
This central CBD site, on Council owned land, subsequently became the Plan's “recommended” site for the development of a new aquatic leisure centre that would be a combined ‘health and wellbeing’ facility.
In 2012, Council invited four leading architectural practices to produce concepts illustrating how they would envisage such a centre on the “recommended” site, with a view to the selection of a concept which suggested the most creative solution. This solution also needed to maximize connections and “urban design” outcomes to benefit and help consolidate the centre of Smithton. Liminal Architecture was chosen as the winning architectural concept for the preferred site.
For more information on the progress of the Circular Head Aquatic Leisure Centre go to www.circularhead.tas.gov.au/aquatic visit Council’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CircularHeadCouncil or sign up to the email database by sending your details to council@circularhead.tas.gov.au