Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA has welcomed the start of deconstruction works at the Surge Centre.
"The Garran Surge Centre played a critical role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic – as a testing site, vaccination centre and as a COVID-19 clinic treating people for illness and minor injuries," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"It was an incredible effort to mobilise the Surge Centre so quickly, and I want to thank all the hard-working frontline workers who worked there.
"I also want to thank the local community for their patience over the last three years and particularly since the Surge Centre closed in February while we have worked through the details of decommissioning and deconstruction.
"I'm pleased that we have now reached this milestone and commenced the process of returning the oval to community use.
"Soon, the Garran community will have an even better oval, which will include a new cricket pitch, modern LED lighting and a drought-tolerant grassed playing surface.
"To have the oval available again next year for use by Garran Primary School students will really enhance their outdoor education experience and help promote physical activity."
The final Critical Services Building crane was also successfully disassembled over the weekend, marking another important milestone in the delivery of this project.
"The two cranes were named by Garran Primary School students and I'm looking forward to handing over the Cranosaurus and Lightening McCrane flags to the school today," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"It is exciting to see construction moving at pace to deliver the Critical Services Building. More of the façade has become visible as the scaffolding comes down, while the internal fit-out is progressing well and electricity is being connected to each floor for testing."
Local contractor Manteena has been appointed to deconstruct and recycle the Surge Centre, with works expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Another contractor will then start works to remediate the oval, as well as restore the south-west carpark.
Manteena is expected to employ about 25 people to deconstruct the Surge Centre, while a contractor for the oval remediation is expected to be appointed shortly.
Garran Oval will be available for community use by mid-2024.
