A DUBBO-based company has won the prize task of building the bulk of a $6.1 million athletics centre of excellence in its home town.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
David Payne Constructions blitzed a field of four with its $3 million tender for the construction of a grandstand at Barden Park.
The North Dubbo oval is the subject of plans by Dubbo City Council to turn it into a "first-class" sporting facility complete with the region's first international-standard synthetic athletics track by mid-2014.
David Payne Constructions was also charged with bringing the track and field to fruition when the council accepted its $1.7 million tender ahead of four others this week.
The grandstand is one of the biggest jobs awarded by the council since it let a tender to build Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre in 2008 - also to David Payne Constructions.
The $13.5 million theatre project was completed on time and within budget in 2009-10 and features on the building contractor's website.
A third aspect of work at the new-look athletics complex, the installation of sports field lighting was also assigned this week, going to Musco Lighting Australia, which submitted a $238,500 tender.
Councillors had considered a report about the Barden Park Regional Centre of Excellence for Athletics at the works and services committee meeting last week.
The committee excluded members of the public and press from the chamber, as is the norm for tender considerations.
The council accepted the committee's recommendations at its meeting this week and Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson said the development was exciting.
"The community wants first-class sporting facilities at Dubbo so we can further develop local and regional talent and attract high-profile events," Cr Dickerson said.
"With its 500-seat grandstand, modern change facilities and internal facilities for 200 athletes, function and admin areas, and the region's first international-standard synthetic athletics track, Barden Park will definitely be a sporting event attraction."
Dubbo Athletics president David Williams also welcomed the progress.
"I think it will really put athletics on the map," he said.
Construction of the grandstand, track and field and installation of the lighting is expected to start in November and be completed by August 2014.
The council received $3.5 million to develop a regional centre of excellence for athletics at Barden Park under round two of the federal government's Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) and a $575,000 contribution from the NSW government.
