Delay in Mid North Coast High Performance Centre build as council seeks additional funding and new tenders

The Mid North coast High Performance Centre was discussed at Tuesday's council meeting, with the decision made to seek new tenders for the centre including a revised design and potential for staged construction.

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The item was discussed during the confidential part of council's first meeting for 2020, as the report involved commercial information of a confidential nature.

Lee Dixon spoke at the public forum on Monday afternoon on behalf of the South West Rocks Country Club and South West Rocks Sports and Recreation Association.

Mr Dixion highlighted the wide range of sporting and cultural events the centre could be used for.

"We are in serious discussions with the National Rugby League about opportunities with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs training camps, coaching clinics and exhibitions," he said.

"The centre wouldn't just be used for sporting events but for concerts and cultural events as well."

With council now seeking new tenders for the project, the timetable for delivery will also be extended, as significant delays will result from the need to reject the existing tenders. This is due to all tenders currently exceeding the budget.

$2.46 million in grant funding was successfully obtained for the project under the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund. Funding contributions were also secured from council and the South West Rocks Country Club.

Council commissioned detailed design documentation prior to development consent being granted in August 2019, after external review by Coffs Harbour City Council, and invited tenders for construction. The project received a number of competitive, conforming tenders. However, all of the tenders received valued the project significantly higher than expectations.

"The competitiveness and interest from the construction industry in this project was very high," council's Director Operations and Planning Robert Fish said.

"Although there were quantitative surveys completed during the detailed design phase for the centre, all parties have accepted that the current design is beyond the scope of the funds available."

Council, following discussions with the project partners, will seek new 'design and construct' tenders, seeking a solution that will provide the desired outcome at an achievable cost.

"We are going back to the construction industry, through the well-established 'design and construct' tender process, to seek their input on how we can achieve the overarching vision and goals of the centre, through a more cost-effective design and construction process, that could see the centre built over a number of distinct stages," Mr Fish said.

Council, South West Rocks Sport and Recreation Association, and the South West Rocks Country Club have reinforced their commitment to the project.

"Our key priority is to build a facility that will allow us to attract regional events, while providing for local sporting needs," Mr Fish said.

President of the South West Rocks Sport and Recreation Association Holly Gaddes said despite the delay, they are looking forward to the centre being built for the community.

"We recognise this is an ambitious project and while we are clearly disappointed at the delay, we are pleased to be working with council to deliver a successful High Performance Centre," she said.

"The Mid North Coast High Performance Centre will be a fantastic asset to the local community and region."

CEO of the South West Rocks Country Club David Cunningham said the club is still 100 per cent behind the project.

"In addition to the obvious sporting benefits, the facility has huge value in terms of South West Rocks' ability to attract higher end and bigger events, delivering results for the entire community," he said.

While additional funding may be required to deliver the project, the existing funding commitments remain in place.