WEIPA’S newest sporting facility is just a few months away from being opened to the public.
The $12 million Weipa Sports Complex will be finished construction in June and will be opened by the Weipa Town Authority in late July or early August.
“We’ll need a good month to get the centre fitted out and ready for use,” said acting WTA superintendent Judey Browne.
“We’ve currently got a sport and rec manager on secondment to help get all the commissioning done ahead of the opening.
“There’s a lot of policies and procedures that need to be written up.”
The WTA will not manage the sports complex directly, Ms Browne said, with a contractor likely to be handed the reins.
“We’re working through the tender process for a facility manager,” she said.
“That will include the swimming pool and the sports aspect of the storm surge shelter.”
The Weipa Sports Complex will comprise three individually air-conditioned squash courts, three open-air tennis courts (with lighting), an indoor multipurpose sports area, as well as a gymnasium and creche.
The gym at the complex will replace the current Rocky Point gym in the old SPQ area and will have 24-hour swipe card access.
Rio Tinto Weipa funded the new facility after selling the old squash courts in Nanum.
The company used Goodline to oversee the construction of the project, with a focus on local employment.
“There were some specialised contractors that came in from out of town, especially with the design of the squash court, but we used locals as much as possible,” a Rio Tinto spokesperson said last week.
An official community opening day will be staged at the complex at a date to be confirmed.
“It’s going to be a real asset for the community,” WTA chair Michael Rowland said.
