Contract awarded for arts centreBy Alison Noonan

CASEY Council has awarded a $1 million contract for the construction of a new Performing Arts Centre in Cranbourne.
ME Bell Projects will build the stateoftheart centre, to be located at the Casey Indoor Leisure Complex on BerwickCranbourne Road, at a cost of $1,553,336.
Council has allocated more than $2 million in its budget for the project, with $1,850,000 set aside for construction.
A report presented to council at last week’s council meeting stated that due to the low tender price, council was now able to consider a request from user groups to include a ‘sprung floor’ in the main rehearsal rooms.
The report said that the addition had been raised with the tenderer and was expected to come within budget.
The balance of the funds will cover the cost of design and supervision fees, landscaping, furnishing and fitout of the facility.
In a separate contract, council has accepted a tender for the construction of a criterium cycle track at Casey Fields.
Streetworks Pty Ltd, who are currently constructing ovals, roads, car parks and tennis courts at the sporting facility, will build the track at a cost of $576,540.
Council has allocated $250,000 in the 200506 Capital Works Budget, with Sports and Recreation of Victoria contributing a further $500,000.
It is anticipated the works will be completed within four months.