The skate park facility will be a key outcome of the Braidwood Rec Ground project, and as such, all stakeholders are extremely keen to ensure a high-quality facility is delivered with challenging and attractive features appropriate to the target users. The facility will cater for BMXs, skateboards and scooters, and will be constructed with smooth finishes, durable features, suitable signage and appropriate risk mitigation measures. 

It is extremely important to all stakeholders that the project is delivered to the quality expected, including consideration of long-term issues such as differential settlement, cracking and wear-and-tear. To ensure this, the successful contractor will be required to:

* hold an initial public consultation session to gather ideas for the skate park from the community and develop a project website

* develop two concept designs to present to the community at a second community meeting

* facilitate an online poll of the community which, along with Council and Contractor input, will be used to select the preferred option

* undertake detailed design of the selected option and construct the selected option

The successful contractor will be chosen by Council using the following criteria:

* Demonstrated experience in similar projects

* Qualifications and experience of key personnel and nominated sub-contractors

* Understanding of project scope of work and methodology proposed for fulfilling the RFT

* Value for money

* Proposed project timeline and demonstrated ability to meet this timeline

* Quality Assurance

Council and its funding partners are committed to providing a high-quality facility at the Braidwood Rec Ground that will complement the existing site uses, the multi-purpose building currently under construction and surrounding properties. 

The RFT closes at 4:00pm on 8 September 2015. The RFT documentation is available to registered suppliers at https://www.tenderlink.com/palerang/. Interested community members can access the RFT document by contacting Council via records@palerang.nsw.gov.au or 1300 735 025.

The project has been funded by NSW Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services, The Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing through the ClubGRANTS Category 3 Fund. Funding assistance has also been provided by Braidwood Community Bank (Bendigo Bank) and Veolia Mulwaree Trust.

The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of funding partners, including the NSW Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services, the Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing.

Braidwood Recreation Grounds Redevelopment Project

[The following statement is the full statement by Council released on 3rd August but previously only printed in part. ]

Palerang Mayor, Cr Pete Harrison, has welcomed the sight of construction fencing at the Braidwood Recreation Ground. “The Rec Ground project has been on the drawing board for several years now and it’s great to see things getting under way” he commented as the contractor took possession of the site to commence work on the new amenities building.

This is the beginning of Stage 1 of a two stage project to complete a major redevelopment of the ground amenities and playing facilities at Braidwood’s main sporting and recreation venue. The new building will replace several older buildings currently on site. “The amenities building will not only provide improved change room and toilet facilities” said Cr Harrison, “It will also include a canteen and an indoor recreation room designed to support a range of community activities.”

The new building will also provide a base for the operations of the Braidwood Life Centre (BLC) as an integral part of the goal to incorporate a range of youth services and activities within the grounds. The BLC is particularly focused on support for underprivileged youth, providing meals, before and after school structured learning and support sessions, and general recreational activities.

Also part of Stage 1 of the project, under a separate contract that is yet to be let, will be the construction of new skate park/BMX track facility within the grounds.

“A major goal of the redevelopment project is to create an integrated recreation precinct for the Braidwood community”, continued Cr Harrison. “Ultimately, this will incorporate the extended playing field area, including a new cricket pitch, practice nets and lighting, the tennis courts and netball and basketball facilities.”

Mayor Harrison also commented on community speculation relating to the location of the new skate park facility. “There has been discussion within the community relating to the location of the new skate park” he said. “However, it is important to appreciate that all current funding has been provided under the Recreation Grounds Redevelopment Project, to be used on facilities within the Recreation Grounds precinct” Cr Harrison continued, also noting that “Regardless of what has been said elsewhere, there is currently no proposal or funding available to build a facility at any other location.”

The suitability of the Recreation Grounds as a location for a skate park will be assessed through proposals from professional skate park designers. If this element of the project is to proceed, a contractor will be engaged on a ‘design and construct’ basis, and the community invited to provide input into the design process. 

In line with grant acquittal requirements, the current target is for all Stage 1 works to be complete and operational is 30 June 2016.

Stage 2 of the upgrade project will be undertaken as further funding becomes available and will involve improved drainage, a new irrigation system, re-surfacing of the playing field to provide more space and installation of modern floodlighting.

Funding for Stage 1 of the Braidwood Recreation Ground Redevelopment Project has been provided through the NSW Government ClubGRANTS program ($500,000), the Braidwood Community Bank ($350,000), the Veolia Mulwaree Trust ($100,000) and Palerang Council ($250,000). “ The seed funding provided by the Community Bank and the Veolia Mulwaree Trust were critical in attracting the $500,000 ClubGRANTS funding to kick off the upgrade project” commented Cr Harrison. “These sorts of projects invariably depend on the cooperation of, and support from several sources and we very much appreciate the commitment shown to our community by each of these benefactors.”