A Sunshine Coast community group that champions grassroots sport says local clubs deserve to benefit from the 2032 Games.
The Sunshine Coast Region 2032 Sports Legacy Taskforce welcomed the state government’s announcement to build a multi-use arena in the Maroochydore city centre, while Sunshine Coast Stadium and the Parklands mountain bike facility will be upgraded.
Several of the region’s clubs have also been identified by the government to share in millions of dollars of Games On! funding.
But taskforce chair Shane Truscott said there were other associations and clubs that deserved financial backing.
“The taskforce, along with many community groups, have advocated for and fully support the Maroochydore arena and cultural hub as a venue to accommodate high-level indoor sporting events such as the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Super Netball and potential future National Basketball League games,” he said.
“It also advocates for grassroots sport to be played in local communities.”
He said new and improved facilities were required to be spread out across the region, with some existing venues at capacity amid a population boom.
“To expect players to travel up to an hour each way to play a 40-minute game of basketball or futsal at a centralised venue is unrealistic and is not in the best interest of grassroots sport,” he said.
“Local sport needs to be played locally (in various towns and suburbs) for numerous reasons: from cost of living relief and environmental impact reduction to accessibility with active transport options and youth crime prevention through intervention programs.
“From Noosa to Bells Creek, there are opportunities to build or upgrade community sports centres by tapping into funding such as the Games On! initiative.”
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He outlined several ways that funds from that scheme could be used.
“The Maroochydore Clippers Indoor Sports Centre three-court expansion is costed at $7.5 million and requires only partial additional funding and council approvals to progress,” he said.
“Noosa has identified available land and has completed an affirmative feasibility study for a six-court venue. In Bells Creek, land has been set aside and the council has endorsed four indoor courts as part of the Caloundra South Priority Development plan encompassing the Aura Sports Network Plan.
“The taskforce also proposes a business case be undertaken for two more courts at the Caloundra Indoor Sports Stadium.
“The Sunshine Coast Hockey Association is shovel ready to commence construction of a second pitch at Ballinger Park at a cost of $8 million.”
Mr Truscott said the estimated cost for 15 more courts across the region was less than half the cost of the abandoned 11-court indoor sports centre at Bokarina that would have included the displacement costs of several long-standing community sporting clubs.
“If we are fair dinkum about grassroots sports, played in their local communities, it is local sports clubs that do the heavy lifting and deserve to be 2032 Games legacy beneficiaries,” he said.
A state government spokesperson said many Sunshine Coast sports groups stood to benefit from the 2032 Olympics.
“The Crisafulli Government will deliver a legacy for grassroots clubs across Queensland through its Games On! program,” they said.
“Already, the first round of Games On! delivers $250 million for new or upgraded fields and courts, clubhouses, change rooms or lighting across Queensland in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with more to come.
“On the Sunshine Coast, out of the first round of Games On!, more than $18 million has been allocated to various clubs to provide infrastructure improvements, including $620,000 for lighting at Maroochydore Rugby Union Club and $10 million to rebuild the Kawana Waters Surf Lifesaving Club.”
The Games On! funding was announced by the state government last month, as part of the 2032 Delivery Plan.
Future rounds of funding are expected.
The SCR 2032 Sports Legacy Taskforce was expected to seek advice on funding opportunities by liaising with the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Sunshine Coast clubs set to receive Games On! funding
- Baringa Football Club
- Beerwah Golf Club
- Bribie Districts Little Athletics Club
- Bribie Island Netball Club
- Bribie Island Strength and Movement Club
- Bribie Island Surf Club
- Caloundra Rugby Union Club
- Caloundra Senior Rugby League Club
- Coolum State High School AFL precinct
- Currimundi United Football Club
- Dicky Beach Surf Club
- Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club
- Maroochydore Rugby Union Club
- Noosa Little Athletics
- Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club
- Noosa Touch Club
- Palmwoods Warriors Football Club
- Pelican Waters Bowls Club
- Tewantin Noosa Tennis Club
