Thames Indoor Sports Facility progresses to detailed design and tender.

Active Thames 2018's indoor sports facilities project received approval to move into the detailed design and tender phase of the project at a special meeting of Thames Community Board today.

"This has been made possible by the overwhelming show of support by the community in surpassing fundraising expectations by this stage of the project," says Thames Community Board Chair Strat Peters.

In addition to public grants of $760,000 and Thames High School's commitment of $440,000, community fundraising has exceeded its initial target of $455,000 with Thames Sport and Education Trust achieving $536,800 to date.

With fundraising commitments in place, the project was cleared to begin producing detailed designs and tender for construction.

Expressions of interest will be sought for the head contractor through July and August with a shortlist to be identified by the end of August.

A contractor is expected to be appointed early 2016 and if everything continues to progress within budget and with continued fundraising support, construction may begin as soon as March next year.

Fundraising will continue throughout the remainder of the project with a focus also on the Rhodes Park and the skate park projects.

ENDS

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