A concept design for the project, which is hoped to improve Ford Park in Merimbula. Image: Bega Valley Shire Council.
Architects have been locked in to deliver new South Coast sporting infrastructure after their “cool, quirky” design won enthusiastic support.
Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) has endorsed Adriano Pupilli Architects as its preferred architect for the design of a new multi-use pavilion at Merimbula.
Councillors received the designs for the facility, to be built at Ford Park, after two firms were formally engaged to submit concept designs to stakeholder groups, according to meeting documents.
During a recent meeting, a council staff member said community groups had received their proposals positively.
“The feedback that was received by all of the existing stakeholders was overwhelmingly in support of the staff recommendation [to support Adriano Pupilli Architects].”
The project’s page on the council’s website states the upgrade will come with changerooms, umpires’ rooms, a kiosk, social rooms, public toilets (including accessible facilities), storage space and a covered outdoor area.
It will replace the existing pavilion building servicing the Ford Park covered outdoor courts, as well as incorporating toilets into the pavilion (replacing the existing public toilets) at the site.
“It will solve provision, usability, and compliance issues with the current facilities, particularly in terms of female friendly changing facilities and accessibility,” according to the website.
The decision follows a design process in which two architectural firms were engaged to develop concept designs for the proposed pavilion renewal and upgrade.
Councillor Mitchell Nadin praised the “competitive tender” system, which he labelled a “fantastic” process.
“There’s no two architects who’ll give you the same responses, and you can see that here – vastly, vastly different responses. … That’s why it matters, choosing a good [design].
“This is going to hang around for the next 60 [to] 70-plus years.
“This is a cool, quirky little design that you’ve got in front of you that’s clearly gotten a lot of stakeholder support behind it.”
Following the meeting, the council’s project manager Mark Baker said both concepts were presented to local sporting and community groups in January for their feedback.
“The concept design process allowed stakeholders to share valuable feedback to ensure the new pavilion meets the needs of the clubs and community groups who use the precinct.”
If successful with the grant application, BVSC will formalise a contract with the preferred architect for the design works.
But the meeting heard that while the contract covered about $217,990 worth of work, there was no funding dedicated to the project.
Meeting documents state that in April 2025, the Federal Government committed to partnering with the council as part of an election commitment.
The council was later invited to apply for grant funding through the Federal Government’s Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program (MLCIP), with an application being made in November 2025.
A staff member said BVSC had received “crickets” as it sought to move ahead with a monetary commitment.
“We’ve been reaching out to the department asking for when we will get a funding deed [of agreement] … We are going to continue to follow it up.”
He also said the next stage was approaching the government, warning that the project was at risk of being delayed.
The MLCIP requires the project to start in the 2025/26 financial year (including design commencement) and be completed by 2029.
“The scope of this project is programmed to meet all MLCIP milestones, including detailed design, construction procurement, construction and project completion,” the papers state.
The council’s website also includes a timeline, indicating that detailed designs and a construction tender should be confirmed during this year.
Construction should be finished by December 2027.
