A new multi sport playing field, 113 extra car parks and lighting have been unveiled as part of the $2.7 million upgrade of Sunshine Coast Council's Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the new eastern field was the first of its kind for the complex, with the facility being home to an estimated 11,500 players and supporters.
"Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex caters for AFL, soccer and netball, at all levels, from junior competitors to elite competition," Mayor Jamieson said.
"This is the first multi use field for the complex, providing a flexible option for use by any code, complementing our existing AFL and soccer fields."
Mayor Jamieson said the sporting clubs based at the complex and the high calibre of the facility attracted players and spectators from across the country throughout the year for a variety of events.
"Our council has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to support the growth of the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex as our population and demand increases and so that the facility continues to meet the needs of users and supports our aspirations for our healthy, smart and creative community.
"Council has invested $2.3 million in this particular upgrade and received $425,000 from the Queensland Government's COVID Works for Queensland program for the installation of the field lighting, which will maximise the opportunities for activation and community use of this facility."
Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd said the Queensland Government was pleased to contribute to such a fantastic local upgrade.
"Good local sporting facilities are so beneficial to local communities. They really bring people together," Ms Boyd said.
"Regions like the Sunshine Coast have been doing it tough during the COVID pandemic.
"The Works for Queensland program is a key part of our economic recovery plan for Queensland.
"Not only are we supporting new infrastructure in the community, but projects like this one are also creating local jobs."
Sunshine Coast Council Division 7 Councillor Ted Hungerford said the latest works were another win for the complex, which was recognised in October by the AFL for best practice in community football facility development in 2019.
"Council has been applauded for our long-term vision in developing the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, winning the AFL Queensland's Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Awards," Cr Hungerford said.
"This development is guided by the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex Master Plan 2013-2028.
"It was only last year that we delivered the $3.1 million upgrade in partnership with the AFL and the Sunshine Coast Netball Association.
"This upgrade includes a brand-new two-level AFL building and extensive refurbishment of the existing netball building."
The latest Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex improvements include:
• 113 car parks, bus parking and parking lighting
• construction of the new multi sport field
• the new multi sport field features sport field lighting, hybrid turf used in high wear areas around the goal square, interchange boxes for players to sit, coaches boxes for coaches to sit, behind goal netting, drainage and automated irrigation, earth mounds for spectator viewing and landscaping.
The Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex includes the following facilities:
• three lit AFL fields, the fourth being the new multi-use field for AFL and soccer
• one lit senior soccer and two lit junior soccer fields, plus training area
• netball courts – 20 lit hard courts and six grass courts
• spectator seating
• undercover spectator viewing
• ample car parking across complex
• bus set down/pick up and bus parking.
The Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex is located at Fishermans Road in Maroochydore.
