PROGRESS on new aquatic and performing arts centres loom large on council’s to-do list in 2018.
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Council said most of its runs on the board came off the bat of major infrastructure projects, including Manilla Rd upgrades, the sporting centre of excellence build starting and the Fitzroy St beautification.
But there’s two pieces of the puzzle needed to complete the picture, general manager Paul Bennett said.
“What would be my dream,” he asked.
“We get to the end of the next financial year and we have funding commitments from the state and federal governments for both our aquatic centre and our performing arts centres for the next election cycle.”
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Mr Bennett said both facilities were necessary to cater for the growing region.
“They are two major pieces of infrastructure that I think will complete the city and the region,” he said.
“We’ve got a theatre which is too small for our population, we’ve got two ageing swimming pools, neither of which deliver the quality of facility that a community of this size deserves.”
On top of bringing these dreams to life, council already has a hefty list of works set to be done and dusted in the next 12 months.
The Northern Inland Sporting Centre of Excellence, the intermodal freight terminal, a $14 million upgrade of Manilla’s water treatment plant and a refit of the airport terminal should all be completed before the city’s singing Auld Lang Syne once again.
Mayor Col Murray also said progressing a new performing arts centre and funding for a year-round swimming facility were two main goals for 2018.
“Council will seek to put in significant funds in itself, as well make application to the other two levels of government for assistance,” he said.
“I think that’s the only way the project can happen in this current funding landscape.”
He said homing-in on the region’s growth was also anticipated. “It’ll be really interesting to see our next round of growth statistics to how the city is actually performing against other cities around the regions.”