Mansfield Shire Council has proposed to name a new sports stadium being built at the Mansfield Secondary College after two-time world champion snowboarder Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, who died earlier this year.
Key points:
- Mansfield Shire Council has proposed naming a new sports stadium being built after Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin.
- Pullin was born and raised in Mansfield and went to the Secondary College where the stadium is being constructed.
- The council has received the permission from the Pullin family and is now polling local residents to gauge their support
Pullin was born and raised in Mansfield and Mansfield Shire Council CEO Kaylene Conrick said he was also a student at the Secondary College where the new stadium is being built.
“Chumpy was well-known and well loved in Mansfield,” Councillor Kaylene Conrick said.
“He was a local but also he was an extraordinary athlete, two time snowboard world champion, he competed in three Olympic games, he was recognised was a very young age,” she said.
The three-time Olympian and world champion snowboarder died at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast in an incident at an artificial reef where he was spearfishing in July this year.
Construction of the $7 million sporting complex consisting of a new dual court stadium and dual outdoor multi-purpose courts at the Mansfield Secondary College began earlier this year.
Cr Conrick said the council had almost decided on a name for the complex when the news came through of Pullin’s death.
“At the time council considered how appropriate it would be to perhaps name the facility after Chumpy,” she said.
“We approached the family and obviously a very sensitive matter, and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Pullin family, and they agreed for council to propose the name to the community and honour Alex.”
‘Much loved, well liked and is missed’
The decision is now up to the community, with two online polls open to gauge the support of naming the facility the ‘Alex Pullin Stadium’.
Cr Conrick said council hoped to get the support of the community for the naming of the stadium in his honour.
It’s not the first time the community has recognised the former local, he was given a key to the town at a ceremony 2011.
Local cafe and hotel owner Dean Belle knew Pullin when he was growing up in Mansfield.
“He was just so focused,” Mr Belle said.
Mr Belle said the townspeople had a special spot in their hearts for him.
The consultation on naming the facility will close in early December with a decision to be made by council next month.
