Proud born-and-bred Whyalla resident Andrew Oliver is thrilled to help prepare the new foreshore pods for Whyalla
Foreshore Full of Activity
From the Adelaide 500 to Whyalla – these former corporate boxes are being crafted by Whyalla hands to help breathe new life into community spaces across the city!
The modular pods will be used to create welcoming community spaces in areas that may otherwise go unnoticed / under-utilised, as well as offering much-needed facilities.
Installation of the first two pods will commence this week, housing the temporary location for the new foreshore café operator (currently out for tender); and a pop-up visitor information centre (separate to the existing visitor centre). Both will be located in the foreshore precinct, helping modernise the area while pre-empting future foreshore master plan work.
Whyalla City Council CEO Justin Commons said residents would notice work starting on the foreshore facilities from this Thursday (May 12), with every effort being made to minimise impacts to the ongoing café service.
“We are taking the opportunity now to get underground services installed to support future developments such as a new Surf Lifesaving Club and water play area, as outlined in the Foreshore Master Plan. This additional future-focused work means there will be a few weeks of disruption,” Mr Commons said.
To ensure the safety of patrons during works, the Smokey Uppercuts café will only be open from Friday-to-Sunday as of next Monday 16 May, before resuming normal service from Monday 30 May. Council apologises in advance for any inconvenience during this time, but must prioritise public safety and installation of essential services required for future foreshore development.
The new facilities are being prepared offsite by Specialised Solutions, whose CNC Operator Andrew Oliver is actually a proud born-and-bred Whyalla resident! ‘Olly’ was thrilled to help prepare the facilities for Whyalla, with the pods being hands-down his favourite job to-date, so he can’t wait to see a piece of his craft in his hometown when he next visits his family.
Mr Commons said these pods presented an ideal opportunity to create vibrant new community facilities at a significantly lower cost to ratepayers.
“Many council-owned buildings are towards the end of their useful life and no longer fit-for-purpose – many require significant and costly maintenance and / or renewal and upgrade, with some also being in less-than-ideal locations,” he said.
“Modular pods are flexible and adaptable structures that can be altered to suit the community’s needs, and are relatively easy to relocate to activate various parts of the city over time.
“It will be great to see the new foreshore café operator move into this new pod facility as a temporary home pending future development – we think the community and visitors will enjoy the modern design and contemporary feel of this facility.”
Artist’s impression of the new foreshore café pod. Installation will start later this week.