There are exciting times ahead as the Shire of Manjimup moves forward with the planning and design stage of the Manjimup Rea Park & Collier Street Redevelopment (MRCR). The implementation of the MRCR is a key component of the Shire's efforts in striving towards meeting the future direction of the town's future sport and recreational facilities mix. Although it is a well-utilised precinct, many of its facilities are out of date and do not meet current standards for accessible compliant access or club needs. There is a documented need for redevelopment and optimisation of existing facilities to bring this infrastructure up to a modern and regional standard. Additional and upgraded sports facilities are also needed to support the current community needs and the future needs that come with the aspired population growth of Manjimup.
The vision for the precinct is to transform the existing multi-use Rea Park and Collier Street Reserve into a premier level facility catering for high level sporting events, in addition to regular club usage and non-sporting events such as the annual Warren District Agricultural Show. The redeveloped precinct is to accommodate regional sporting carnivals and competitions that require multiple sporting fields and draw large crowds. The MRCR project consists of a large number of project components, including a new pavilion, upgraded sporting fields, new flood lighting, car parking, landscaping, power upgrade, etc.
The MRCR will be undertaken in four stages with the planning and design stage commencing recently as Council allocated $200,000 towards this stage. The aim of this stage is to make the project 'shovel and funding' ready. This will be achieved by undertaking stakeholder and community consultation, undertaking planning and investigations for each project component, finalising concept plans and developing final designs, drawings and costings for each of the deliverables. This stage will also include the development of a comprehensive business case, including an investigation of potential funding sources and grants, as additional funds to complement the $5 million commitment of Council will be required for the project implementation.
The Shire will be holding workshops on 27 and 28 April 2021 with the existing users of the precinct and their respective governing bodies to work on the finalisation of the concept master plan, which was originally prepared in 2015. The wider community will be invited to learn more about the project and provide their input at a consultation forum at the Manjimup Wellness and Respite Centre on Monday 17 May from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Following the forum, a community survey will also be open as another avenue for the community to have input into the design.
"The redevelopment of the Rea Park and Collier Street precinct is a high priority for Council. It will not only benefit the existing users, but will also benefit the wider community by allowing our sporting and community groups to attract regional level carnivals and events to the town" says Shire President Paul Omodei. "Our sporting culture is strong in Manjimup and the planned upgrades will allow our clubs to grow in the years to come".
More information about the project can be found online here.
