Following the announcement of a $4 million commitment by Federal Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, Alice Springs Town Council’s vision for a multipurpose Indoor Aquatic and Leisure Centre will now be fulfilled.
Council applied for Federal funding in April this year to complement the Northern Territory Government’s contribution of $8.1 million. The facility will now be able to include many additional features that were likely to be excluded in an attempt to reduce the costs.
“The commitment from the Northern Territory Government was enough to provide the community of Alice Springs with a basic facility, but fell short of the amount required to build a multipurpose recreational facility,” said Alice Springs Mayor, Fran Kilgariff. “We were obviously better placed with $8.1 million in funding than we ever would have been without it, but now we are in a position to provide a facility with additional features that will make the Indoor Aquatic and Leisure Centre an even more versatile place for community recreation.”
Minister Brough made the commitment, highlighting the need for Alice Springs to be improved as a service centre for the residential community, as well as for Indigenous people from outlying communities.
“We are so pleased that Minister Brough was able to firmly commit to improving Alice Springs for the benefit of Central Australia as a region, given the current reforms taking place in remote Indigenous communities,” said Mayor Kilgariff.
“Alice Springs already suffers from urban drift, which stretches our resources, and Council is concerned that this might be exacerbated by the reforms.
“It will be absolutely fabulous to have an Indoor Aquatic and Leisure Centre with a variety of features, that can be a place for year round community recreation and health programs.
“Alice Springs Town Council would like to sincerely thank the Federal Government for stepping up to the plate, recognising the need and contributing to the improvement of our town through this major financial commitment.”
For further information contact Mayor Kilgariff on (08) 8950 0525.
