Sunshine Coast Stadium to have capacity expanded to 10,000
The Sunshine Coast Stadium is to have its capacity raised to around 10,000 following the announcement of a $2.5 million redevelopment.
The upgrade includes new, family-friendly turf hills along the eastern, northern and southern sides of the playing surface, which is being transformed from an oval shape to a rectangular field to allow spectators to be closer to the action.
The revamped venue will also have a 36 metre² LED scoreboard/replay screen.
Due to be completed prior to the start of the next football season, the project is being jointly funded by Sunshine Coast Council’s Capital Works Program and the Queensland Government’s Get Playing Plus Program.
A new irrigation system, electrical works, pathways and driveways, fencing, landscaping and tree planting will complete the upgrade, which represents the biggest change to the stadium since it opened in 2011.
Sunshine Coast Councillor Peter Cox, outlined how the improvements would consolidate the venue’s reputation as an outstanding venue to host major and community events, stating “the Sunshine Coast Stadium is a runaway success story and that story is about to get even better.
“We have a fantastic grandstand that our patrons love and soon the option will be available for spectators to follow the tradition of watching and cheering on from the hill.
“We’ll have great viewing available from all four sides of the ground and the extra elevation, especially on the eastern side, is going to make a real difference to what was there previously.”
Sunshine Coast Tourism, Sports and Events Portfolio Councillor, Jason O’Pray, said Sunshine Coast Stadium’s events schedule made it one of the most used facilities in the state, adding “not only is the stadium the home of the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Fire, there’s a huge variety of other events - sporting and entertainment - held here each year.
“With the capacity rising from around 7,500 to 10,000, there are going to be extra opportunities available for event organisers looking to use our stadium.”
The Queensland Government’s Get Playing Plus initiative provides grants of between $300,000 and $1.5 million to support new projects and major upgrades to existing facilities that support participation in sport and recreation activities.
It is one of four funding programs that make up the Queensland Government’s three-year $100 million Get in the Game investment to support grassroots sport and recreation.
Sunshine Coast Council is also looking at a long-term plan to build a new outdoor rectangular stadium at Caloundra, Nambour or Maroochydore.
Work on the Sunshine Coact Stadium upgrade is expected to be completed at the stadium by late February/early March next year.
Images: Sunshine Coast Councillors Peter Cox and Jason O’Pray with plans for the expanded Sunshine Coast Stadium (top) and the Sunshine Coast Stadium from the air (below).
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