Surf Coast Stadium on schedule for 2020 completion

Cr Martin Duke with site manager Xavier Nairn at the stadium. Photo: KLAUS NANNESTAD

THE Surf Coast Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium is on track for completion before the end of this year, despite the obstacles posed by the coronavirus.

Construction on the stadium in North Torquay began late last year. It will see three multi-use courts added to the existing single-court stadium at Surf Coast Secondary College as well as a café, meeting rooms, change facilities, all abilities design features, and additional car parking.

The contract was awarded to Ballarat-based developer Nicholson Construction, with many of the workers on the site from Torquay and its surrounding areas.

Site manager Xavier Nairn said they had been able to work around the obstacles posed by the coronavirus to stay on schedule.

“We’re on program, we’re rushing pretty hard for it. As far as materials go, we are finding a bit of hardship.

“What we have done as a company is we have been able to incorporate social distancing, as well as disinfecting twice a day and following those protocols. That has probably made everyone a bit more comfortable.”

The $13.5 million project is the biggest the Surf Coast Shire council has undertaken.

Torquay Ward councillor Martin Duke said he was pleased with the progress being made on the site.

“It’s great to see it going ahead and it looks like it’s going to be finished by the end of December.

“I’m looking forward to getting in there once it’s open and having a look at it. The contractors have worked really hard and COVID hasn’t affected them at all.”

The new stadium will be shared between Surf Coast Secondary College and the community.

The stadium will have a wide range of uses, from sports such as basketball, netball, badminton and volleyball to school and local events.

Cr Duke said working with the college and being well-prepared helped the council bring the project to fruition.

“This is a really good collaboration with the school. The land is shared with the school, the school is working with us.

“A lot of these infrastructure things are in planning for a long time beforehand. When the funding comes through from the government and the opportunity arises, then we jump on it.”