The condition of the old timber grandstand has set back the final piece of Werribee’s Chirnside Park redevelopment.
Wyndham council has applied for an extension to complete the timber grandstand relocation and to remove the relocation works from the current building contract.
City life acting director David Semmens said a recent assessment of the old grandstand, which was carefully dismantled and put into storage when works began last year, found its timber was in a questionable condition.
Mr Semmens said further assessment and design work was required before the grandstand could be relocated to its new Chirnside Park home.
“Through the existing planning permit, the relocation of the timber grandstand is tied to the occupancy of the new pavilion,” he said.
“We’ve requested an extension to June, 2018, for the relocation, so we can continue working on the timber grandstand without affecting the timeline of the new pavilion opening up.”
The amendment is estimated to cost $250,000. Despite the application stating the council was seeking “quotations from suitably experienced builders to relocate the grandstand”, Mr Semmens said it was not changing builders for the project.
The $11.75 million makeover of Werribee’s Chirnside Park is on track to open in early 2018 and will provide high level sports facilities to support Werribee Football Club and Werribee Cricket Club pathway programs and a venue for finals, one-off major sports events, community education programs and community festivals.
Once complete, the new home of the Werribee Football Club will include upgraded change rooms, disability access to the social room, a gym, canteen, a multi-purpose meeting and community space, and more carparking.
It will also be home to the North Melbourne Football Club’s youth sport and education initiative, Werribee Huddle.
The project has been jointly funded by the council, federal and state governments, Werribee Football Club, the AFL and AFL Victoria.
