Costs and details have been revealed for Sunshine Coast’s Olympic venues, with a $300 million funding commitment.
Three facilities were given the green light to progress to tender after state and federal funding was recently announced – the largest ever investment in community sporting infrastructure in the region.
The Sunshine Coast Stadium expansion and the new Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre at Kawana, as well as the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre at Parklands are included in the funding commitment.
Sunshine Coast Stadium will receive $148 million, with two new grandstands boosting its permanent seating capacity to more than 10,500, with the existing grass mounds at either end giving the venue a total capacity of approximately 14,500.
During the 2032 Olympics, additional temporary grandstands will be installed boosting its capacity to 20,000 where it’ll host football matches.
Early site works including the demolition of the existing western grandstand are expected to commence later this year, with construction earmarked to start in 2025 and be completed in 2027.
$142 has been committed to the new Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre, located adjacent to the existing rectangular stadium within the Kawana Sports Precinct.
The centre will feature 11 courts and have the ability to convert to a 6000-seat show court where it’ll host basketball during the Olympics.
Construction is planned to start in 2025 and is due for completion in 2027.
$14 million has also been committed for the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre, which will include a new 5km mountain bike trail and multi-use trails and trail hub, including 200 bay carpark.
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli said the funding was a game-changer for the region, as it prepares to host multiple events at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Today’s funding announcement follows years of research and planning and will deliver lasting economic and social benefits before, during and after hosting the Games,” she said.
“The validation process the projects went through, including independent panel reviews, was extensive and demonstrated the importance of these venues for our region.
“These venues will provide high-quality competition and training facilities for our local athletes, increase participation in sports and recreation across the region, and will have capacity to host major sporting events.
“That, in turn, attracts more tourism dollars which benefits our local businesses and their staff.
“I want to be very clear: these venues are being built for our community.
“They will provide a place to train, to play, to watch our favourite teams and to cheer on our kids from the sidelines.
“Importantly, these venues will be leading-edge in accessibility to accommodate the many para-sports, athletes and spectators in our region.”
Details of the three Sunshine Coast venue upgrades are as follows.
Sunshine Coast Stadium Expansion
- The expansion will deliver additional seating, taking total fixed seating capacity to more than 10,500. By utilising the mounds at the northern and southern ends, the stadium will have a total capacity of approximately 14,500.
- Additional temporary seating will be installed to boost the total seating capacity to 20,000 to accommodate the Olympic Games Brisbane 2032 football (soccer) matches.
- Early works will include the demolition of the western grandstand in 2024. Construction is planned to start in 2025 and is due for completion in 2027.
- $148 million has been primarily funded by Queensland and Australian governments and includes a $17 million contribution from council. This funding was committed by council in 2020 and reaffirmed in the Future Host Questionnaire (bid document) submitted to the International Olympics Committee in 2021.
Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre
- A new international indoor sports centre that will have capacity for 11 courts and the ability to convert to a minimum 6000 seat show court.
- The indoor stadium will support a range of groups and sports, including basketball, netball, volleyball, pickleball, futsal and badminton.
- The design of the indoor sports centre meets top-level accessibility standards to accommodate para-athletes and patrons with a disability.
- The venue is proposed to host Olympic Games Brisbane 2032 Basketball preliminary games.
- Construction is planned to start in 2025 and is due for completion in 2027.
- $142 million will be funded by state and federal governments.
- Council is currently considering if it will contribute to enhance the Indoor Sports Centre to maximise its benefit as a community venue. The current plan is for items such as air conditioning, spectator seating and broadcast standard lighting to be brought in for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the upcoming budget process, council will consider if funding for these items should be provided to allow them to be permanent and add value to the Centre for both community and elite sport.
Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre
- A key legacy opportunity with the development of our region’s first nature-based recreation precinct. It will host mountain biking, trail running, bushwalking, horse riding and multi-sport events at the site at Parklands, creating a network of adventure experiences across the Sunshine Coast region.
- It will include a new 5km mountain bike trail and multi-use trails and trail hub, including 200 bay carpark.
- Co-located with existing Parkland Conservation Park which already boasts more than 40km of trails.
- Construction to start in 2026. Due for completion in 2027.
- $14 million funded by Queensland and Australian government.
- Council is responsible for the cost to acquire the land for the new Mountain Bike Centre. Council will provide more information once negotiations with landholders are finalised.
