News
Grant Success - New Dowerin Community Club to go ahead!
Thu, 24 Mar 2011Good things come to those who wait… after the initial set back of an unsuccessful CSRFF application last year, the Dowerin Recreation Steering Committee and Shire of Dowerin are now thrilled with the success of the 2011 application. Shire staff were notified of the successful application on Wednesday 16th March. The Shire was successful in securing $615,000 towards this important community project. Dowerin shared its success with many more shires within the Wheatbelt such as Cunderdin and Trayning who all received extensive funding also.
Are we expecting any more funding? The Shire of Dowerin lodged a funding application with Lotterywest in late 2010 with the hope of securing an extra $500,000 towards this project. It is anticipated that this application will be assessed within the next month or so. If unsuccessful this grant can be reapplied for immediately however it is anticipated that the success of the grant from DSR will greatly assist with a successful result from Lotterywest. The Shire was also successful with a grant for $150,000 from the Stronger Rural Communities Program in 2010 which will assist towards the development of a new playground and the internal fit out of the building.
When will building commence?
- The first step upon signing the funding deed, will be for the Shire of Dowerin to go out to tender for architectural services. It is planned that tenders will close in time for Council to select an architect at the May Council Meeting.
- The architect in consultation with Dowerin Recreation Steering Committee will then take approximately 12 weeks to finalise detailed plans.
- Once the architectural plans are finalised Council will then go out for tender for a builder to construct the function area and change rooms.
- It is planned that Council will appoint a builder at its October Council meeting. The successful builder will be expected to start construction in late November/December.
- It is anticipated that construction will take up to twelve months.
So, what happens now?
- Due to the time constraints of the Stronger Rural Communities Program the new playground that will accompany the Dowerin Community Club will begin construction within the next 8 weeks (see plans across the page). This will have no affect on the overall construction of the new building and demolition of the Alex Read Pavilion. This grant must be acquitted by June 2011.
- In May 11 trees will be removed on the west side of the Alex Read Pavilion to make way for the bowling green and tennis courts. This is to allow for the ground to settle 12 months before the sporting surfaces are constructed in the middle of 2012.
The development of the Dowerin Community Club is a result of feedback from the local community which stems back to 2003. All the sporting clubs and community groups affected by this project are represented on the steering committee by a club delegate. All community members with questions, queries or concerns are encouraged to talk directly to their representatives or alternatively contact Graham Ralph (Chairperson) or Dacre Alcock (CEO) to voice such concerns. This will ensure that the correct information is being received by all our community members.
