Wiigulga Sports Complex

Council is seeking Expressions Of interest (EOI) for the operational management by way of lease or licence for the Wiigulga Multipurpose Centre when it opens in late 2022,

The successful organisation will be responsible for:

• Managing the Wiigulga Multipurpose Centre, maximising its potential as a sporting venue;
• Activation of spaces for coordinating programs and responding to identified and emergent needs within the local community;
• Promoting community engagement and connectivity.

To find out more about the EOI and to apply, click on the tenderlink form.

EOI Close: July 29, 2022 5pm

Progress of the Wiigulga Sports Complex continues at pace despite the recent and ongoing rainfall.

The new playing fields are now a carpet of newly sprouted couch turf and the eastern and northern perimeter fence is now in place. Inside is where the big changes continue with the stage now constructed, the commercial kitchen fit out underway, ceilings and joinery all installed and internal painting underway.

What’s next? Pouring the concrete forecourt, glazing to continue throughout, foyer floor tiling and sports hall flooring install to commence. Design for the custom pump track is underway and construction of this exciting, community led element will commence in the next month or so.

Keep your eyes peeled for a community survey coming soon to the project Have Your Say page (https://haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/wiigulga_sports_complex). Wiigulga Sports Complex is a community facility so we want to hear from you with your ideas on what kinds of sport competitions and community programs you might like to run or see held there; these can be programs that you are looking to run yourself, or something you just think would benefit the community. You will also be able to register your interest if you would like to use the Wiigulga Multipurpose Centre for regular meetings, classes or sessions.

The project remains on track to open in late 2022!

It’s all systems go onsite at Wiigulga Sports Complex with construction progressing right on schedule. If you’ve driven past the site on Solitary Islands Way recently would have noticed some of the larger items such as the sports field lighting is now in place, the structural steel of the multipurpose centre taking shape, blockwork on the amenities pavilion and the eastern fence line of the complex is appearing post by post.

What you wouldn’t have noticed from the road is the kilometres of civil pipelines, 7km of drainage and irrigation lines under the surface of the playing fields or the kerb and guttering, perimeter footpaths and carpark works that are also taking shape.

What’s next? More structural steel and blockwork to come for the sports hall of the multipurpose centre and turf establishment on the playing fields.

As major work begins on the Wiigulga Sports Complex, many of the local sub-contractors and consultants who have been engaged to date to work with Lahey Constructions on the build were welcomed to the site today by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan MP, State Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh MP and Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight. More local sub-contractors will join the ranks as the project progresses.

Read the full story here

Uncle Ian Brown performing the Smoking Ceremony

Representation of a few of the sports that will benefit from construction of Wiigulga Sports Complex

Local Trades and Project Stakeholders

The Hon. Kevin Hogan MP | Cr Denise Knight Mayor of Coffs Harbour | Mr Gurmesh Singh MP

Following a competitive tender process Lahey Constructions Pty. Ltd. has been chosen as the principal contractor for the construction of the Wiigulga Sports Complex.

“This is probably the most exciting moment so far of this prestigious project, which is funded by all three levels of government,” said Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight.

“It’s the biggest Council project ever to come to Woolgoolga and I know there is huge anticipation locally to see the building work finally begin.”

Tenders were called following the completion of the detailed design by Populous. Work will begin next month with completion due in late 2022.

READ THE FULL RELEASE HERE

The new sports complex site in Woolgoolga is to be called Wiigulga Sports Complex in tribute to local Gumbaynggirr heritage and culture.

Wiigulga is the original name for Woolgoolga and refers to the black apple tree which is found locally and on the site. It is pronounced Wee-gill-gah.

“Honouring the Gumbaynggirr heritage and culture of the region has been a key consideration in all the decorative design work on the complex. This land was extensively used by the Gumbaynggirr people and in particular the Garby clan group. It is now being developed into a world-class community facility that is going to be totally inclusive for the local community and all who use it, so finding the right name was very important,” said Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight.

“Confirming the name of the site at the start of the construction phase of the project will ensure the new name is proudly displayed throughout construction and on all permanent signage into the future.”

Extensive consultation on the name was undertaken with a number of key Indigenous stakeholders including Council’s Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee, the Garby Clan Group Coffs Harbour District Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Garlambirla Guuyu Girrwaa Elders Corporation and Aboriginal community members who have a connection to the site, which was historically an important teaching trail for the community. All the stakeholders consulted recommended and endorsed the name Wiigulga Sports Complex.

Uncle Tony Dootson, Chair of the Garby Elders, said: “Jaajunggii (pronounced jaa-jung-gii and means ‘stand up’) jungaalay (pronounced as jun-galay and means ‘be proud be happy’).”

Designs by Gumbaynggirr artist Tulli Stevens from Mullaway have been chosen as the main design theme for the complex. Tulli won the commission with her work ‘Gawbarri’ which means ‘meet, get together, gather’ after Coffs Harbour City Council and the National Aboriginal Design Agency (NADA) collaborated on an Aboriginal design.

An application will be submitted as soon as possible to the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales to have the site named as Wiigulga Sports Complex. The proposal is consistent with the intent of Council’s Reserve Naming and Memorial Policy and the Geographical Names Act 1966.

Local tradies are being invited to be part of the biggest Council construction project ever to come to Woolgoolga and the Northern Beaches – the massive $23m development of the West Woolgoolga Sports Complex.

Council is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably qualified and experienced local tradespeople and suppliers who wish to be included in a List of Local Contractors that will be made available as part of the tender documentation for construction.

Council’s Group Leader City Prosperity Nikki Greenwood said the initiative was all about helping local businesses get front and centre when the overall tender was finally awarded.

“This is certainly the biggest Council infrastructure project that’s ever come to Woolgoolga, with $23m worth of works to be done over two years that will require input from a wide range of skills,” she said. “There will be more than 40 categories of trades and services needed to build the new complex and we hope that by giving locals the opportunity to nominate themselves, the future tenderers will see the breadth of experience and services available locally.

“Ultimately the goal is to see as many subcontracts as possible awarded to locals.”

A similar local tradie EOI carried out for the recent upgrade of C.ex Coffs International Stadium was highly successful with over 40 local businesses employed on the build.

“We hope to see as many locals engaged this time around,” added Ms Greenwood. “While it’s not a guarantee of work, it’s an opportunity for locals to show the wider construction industry what they have to offer.”

The West Woolgoolga Sports Complex project was made possible through joint funding by the Australian Government, State Government and Coffs Harbour City Council. Stimulating the local economy through the construction phase and into the future is a key priority of all funding partners.

Click the Construction Trades, Contractors and Services banner above to complete the EOI form before 11.59pm on Sunday, 1 November 2020.

Detailed design of the West Woolgoolga Sports Complex is proceeding as planned and Council is now able to share the schematic designs by Populous.

The design team have had two rounds of consultation with the community working group to validate the more than a decade of community consultation previously.

Coffs Harbour City Council Group Leader City Prosperity Nikki Greenwood said it’s wonderful to see the schematic designs reflecting all of the various inputs we’ve received from the community over many years.

“The design team have been working tirelessly to deliver the project vision. The West Woolgoolga Sports Complex will be an inclusive, vibrant and healthy community space for locals and visitors to gather, play, compete, practice, learn, perform and celebrate. We’ve already received some great feedback on the documents on have your say and encourage everyone to go and have a look this weekend.”

The design will be completed later this year – now is the time for final feedback.

The construction project is jointly funded by the Australian government, NSW government and Coffs Harbour City Council. Establishment works are anticipated to commence in November, and major construction in 2021.