This building has been a two year tiring and frustrating project since obtaining the original quotes and applying for a grant to finance the new building, going through all the processes and getting to this point.
Approval to proceed was given to the Contractor in mid January, 2021 after which there has been numerous delays as a result of COVID, getting plans drawn, gaining approval from Crown Lands (Crown Lands were fabulous and approved the emailed plans within the day and waived their usual consent fee of $95,00) and then Council to the construction plans and then actually having the building constructed between periods of very wet weather. We have also been frustrated with some component price increases of up to 100%.
To try and keep within the quoted budget, members demolished the old building and removed all refuse from the sight which saved in excess of $5,500 in Contractor costs and has kept the building within $1,200 of the original quoted construction price, however, additional drainage for both ground and storm water required by Council has caused additional unplanned costs of approx. $2,500 with the drainage to be completed and inspected prior to Council granting final "sign off" on the building.
The construction of the Building is now complete and the power and lighting all fitted and connected and the majority of the earthworks "roughed in".
Over recent weeks, members have been constructing and installing the new steel seating, installing a new dividing wall between the two ranges (within the new building) and reconstructing portion of the brick wall that collapsed in a storm after the original building was demolished.
We now have the significant drainage to install (as directed by Council) and then need to install the new bay dividers, re-wire the power from the timers to the Targets and re-install the eyebrow baffles to a position which will comply with FAR requirements before the building can again be used. Hopefully, these works will be either completed, or very close to being completed, by the end of April, 2022.
Fair to say that visitors to our Range for the September, 2022 Open should be suitably impressed with the new facility.