A firm that provided hockey resurfacing for the 2016 Olympic Games has been selected to refurbish a second field for the Goulburn complex.
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Councillors at their meeting on Tuesday progressed the Workers Arena facility's upgrade with the selection of Melbourne-based Polytan to undertake the much-awaited work. The company beat off one other company, Tuff Turf & Co Pty Ltd, to win the tender for $1,710,137.
The council had allocated $1.3 million for the resurfacing, with a 10 per cent contingency. However it achieved savings with an LED lighting upgrade for the concept to bring the total project on budget.
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Mayor Bob Kirk said the focus was on upgrading the western surface to a water-based field. This would allow the Goulburn Hockey Association to schedule games across two fields. The Association has experienced scheduling problems over the past few years, given the restriction.
"I look forward to seeing the first games on that (refurbished) field in 2021," Cr Kirk said.
Deputy Mayor Peter Walker said Polytan was one of the top hockey field re-surfacers in Australia. The company was the sole supplier for the service at the 2016 Olympics.
On Tuesday he said he was disappointed that only two companies tendered when there were "10 or 11 in a position (to bid)."
"As an overall concept, with the lighting and the field, it is in budget," he said.
"I'm happy as long as it doesn't affect what we we're doing with the car park and amenities."
General manager Warwick Bennett replied that it would not. The council is also building a 132-space sealed car park and an amenities block as part of the $4.1m project.
The car park was initially included in council negotiations with the Goulburn Workers Club to purchase the hockey complex. However this was later withdrawn.
The council has exchanged contracts on the $3m purchase. A spokesman said settlement was expected to occur this financial year. Staff also hope to finalise a development application for the land's subdivision, while a DA for the amenities block is undererway.
Last November, the council secured $3.87m in state money to assist the project. The Hockey Association is also kicking in $200,000. It aims to give a permanent home to Goulburn Hockey but also attract state and national competitions.
Adequate lighting is seen as a must. On Tuesday, councillors chose Moss Vale-based Power by Watts to install a new LED lighting system using the existing poles. It will have a minimum 500-lux strength and cost $344,971. This was below the $600,000 allocation.
The company was selected from a a field of nine, which also included a local firm - Webster and McPherson Electrical Pty Ltd.
Cr Peter Walker said he initially had many questions about the selection process but was satisfied that due diligence was undertaken.
"I like to support locals but everything I questioned was answered satisfactorily," he said.
But Cr Andrew Banfield spoke against the move.
"I think it should have gone to a different contractor but I can't talk about it in open council," he said.
A closed session report on the selection process was provided to councillors.
The Post was unable to contact Hockey Association president Nadine Ward for comment.
However Cr Peter Walker, a member of the Goulburn Hockey working party, said members were generally "ecstatic" the purchase and upgrade were going ahead.
"It will allow things to grow and get hockey back to where it was because players Goulburn has lost players to Canberra or to retirement," he said.
"Hopefully they'll come back because we want the sport to grow stronger."
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
