Plans for new indoor arena and expanded Sunshine Coast Stadium revealed
Kawana has been chosen as the site of a new international indoor sports centre, adjacent to an expanded Sunshine Coast Stadium, to be utilised for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
Sunshine Coast Council, in conjunction with Brisbane 2032 Games Delivery Partners, will deliver the new indoor sports centre which will feature 11 courts and the ability to convert to a 6000-seat show court.
The development is part of a larger plan to expand the sporting facilities in the area, with an expanded Sunshine Coast Stadium, aquatic centre, and Sunshine Coast Sports Hub also in the works.
The new centre is expected to completed by 2027, with funding from the Australian and Queensland Governments. The exact cost will be determined once the design process is completed.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson jointly announced the new facility and the expansion of the other sports facilities.
Mayor Jamieson said the expanded sports hub would benefit the entire community and visitors to the region for many decades.
“Confirmation of the new Indoor Stadium at Kawana now provides the opportunity to develop our very own world-class sporting precinct here on the Sunshine Coast.
“Without a doubt, the Sunshine Coast will once again be the envy of other regional areas across the country.
“In other exciting news, the long-awaited Sunshine Coast Stadium expansion should now start in 2024.’’
The expansion of Sunshine Coast Stadium will add 10,768 permanent seats, bringing the total seating capacity to 11,814.
Including the hills at the northern and southern ends of the stadium, the total capacity will be approximately 16,000, while additional temporary grandstands can be installed to increase the total seating capacity to 20,000.
The venue is proposed to host football matches during the 2032 Olympic Games.
Mayor Jamieson also emphasized the range of groups and sports that will benefit from the new indoor sports centre, including basketball, netball, volleyball, futsal and badminton.
He highlighted the importance of designing and constructing a facility that is accessible and accommodating for para-sports and athletes in the region.
The Kawana Sports Precinct was presented as the preferred location for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games basketball competition as part of the Future Host Questionnaire submitted to the International Olympic Committee Future Host Commission in May 2021.
Construction of the new indoor sports centre is set to start in 2025, with the venue available to the community by 2027. This is part of the 10+10+ legacy commitment to ensure the venue is ready well before the proposed Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games basketball competition.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles praised the location of the sports precinct at Kawana, noting its potential to provide lasting benefits for the region.
“We knew bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Queensland would deliver many benefits right across the state,” the Deputy Premier said.
“The Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre will be one of six new sporting venues this government is investing in, and all of these venues will be ready for use well before the Games comes to Queensland.
“Located at Kawana as part of the Sunshine Coast Sport Precinct, the new indoor sports centre will inspire the next generation of Sunshine Coast athletes, support growth, and play host to one of the most significant sporting events in the world.
“All Brisbane 2032 venues are planned with lasting benefits in mind to meet the demands of our growing Queensland population.
“It cements the Sunshine Coast’s importance during the Games and delivers legacy benefits for decades to come.”
