Blowout leaves pavillion on hold

The long-awaited Hay Park multisport pavilion has been delayed indefinitely after tenders received by the City of Bunbury last week far exceeded council’s budget for the project.

Mayor Gary Brennan yesterday announced the council would reexamine plans for the multi-million dollar facility after meeting with councillors behind closed doors on Tuesday evening.

Brennan said costs had exceeded the original $4.5 million price tag and were now beyond what the council could afford.

“When this project was first floated it was estimated the council would contribute $1.3 million, but the cost has grown to be substantially more than that,” he said.

“I can’t reveal the actual tender amounts because the decision not to receive any tender means that information remains in confidence.”

Brennan said plans for the proposed building, earmarked for the Bunbury Forum Force and South West Warriors as well as hosting sporting matches and competitions, would need to be revised.

“It’s time to go back and engage with the community, potential users and the government to look at the design again and make it affordable to fit our budget,” he said.

“I understand this may be frustrating to some, particularly the sporting groups directly involved, but we need to take this extra time to get it right and benefit our community in the long term.

“The plans need to be modified to provide what the sporting clubs need rather than what they want.”

South West Warriors acting president Melvin Bignold said the delay came as a shock and the club had expected the pavilion to be completed in time for the 2015 rugby league season.

“About two months ago we had a meeting with the council and they hoped the building would go up around December 2014,” he said.

“We are planning on entering a first grade team in 2015 and would have had a much better case to present to the WARL with this facility in place.”

Bignold said he would get a better idea of the project’s future after meeting with the council today.

Force officials could not be contacted for comment.