After more than two decades as a hub for active Coast residents, Kawana Indoor Sports has changed hands.
The venue – where cricket, netball, beach volleyball and soccer are played – has been sold by long-time owner Vivian Wollstein to new proprietors Jesse O’Neil and Daniel Tyler.
Located at 34 Production Avenue, Warana, it is now the only indoor sports centre of its kind on the Sunshine Coast using full rebound net courts.
Ms Wollstein said her connection to the centre stretched back decades before she ever owned it, beginning as a player after moving north from Sydney.
“I moved up about 35 years ago and got involved with indoor by playing and umpiring netball,” she said.
“That led to an opportunity to work there as a cricket coordinator, organising all the cricket draws.”
That involvement eventually turned into ownership when the previous operators approached her about joining the business, before deciding to sell altogether.
“In 2004 they asked if I wanted to come in as a partner, and then within a couple of days they said they were probably going to sell and would I be interested in buying,” she said.
“I spoke to my brother and sister-in-law and the three of us bought it.”
During her tenure, the business relocated from its original Main Drive site to Production Avenue, requiring a full fit-out and the rebuilding of competitions in a new space.
“Most of the teams came across, some didn’t, but the ones who did absolutely loved the rebound volleyball,” she said.
Over the years the venue expanded to include weekend inflatables – operated by Ms Wollstein’s husband Jeffrey – alongside its core sports competitions, but the physical demands of operating that side of the business contributed to the decision to sell.
“We had been thinking about selling for a while,” Ms Wollstein said.
“I’m 65 and my husband’s 68, so it was time to retire and not be lugging around half a tonne of inflatables every Friday night.”
Despite stepping away from ownership, she has remained closely connected to the centre and its community.
“I’m still down there playing and umpiring three nights a week,” she said.
“I always reckon if you stop playing sport you get old – you don’t get old and then stop playing sport.”
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For the new owners, the journey to taking over the facility began with a much simpler goal: finding somewhere to play.
Mr O’Neil, a proprietor pharmacist, said the closure of another indoor sports venue on the Coast – Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports at Maroochydore, which shut its doors in September – prompted him to look elsewhere, eventually leading to conversations with Ms Wollstein.
“We were looking for somewhere to play indoor cricket and knew Kawana was still around,” he said.
“We thought maybe the owners were looking to pass it on to someone else. We’re really passionate about sport and wanted to bring the place to its full potential.”
He said entering the sports facility industry had required adapting to a completely new environment.
“It’s definitely a steep learning curve with new systems and software, but it’s been a good challenge – I’ve really enjoyed it,” Mr O’Neil said.
Since taking over, he and Mr Tyler have focused on practical improvements to the venue, including upgraded LED lighting and repairs to the rebound nets that are central to indoor competition – a feature that makes the facility unique in the region.
“True indoor sport is played on a rebound-type net where the ball is in play continuously,” Mr O’Neil said.
“It makes it quicker and more exciting, so getting those nets right was really important.”
The centre already attracts just over 500 players each week, with indoor cricket the most popular competition, and participants travelling from across the region.
Mr O’Neil said the pair planned to build on what was already there rather than dramatically change the business model.
“At the moment there’s sport Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, but we’ll be adding Tuesday as well,” he said.
“We just want more teams and more opportunities for people to play.”
He also outlined plans to expand junior programs and social offerings.
“We’re adding in junior sports in the afternoons, starting with indoor cricket in February,” he said.
“In term three, we’re starting indoor soccer and netball for juniors, and on weekends we’re looking to launch dodgeball. It’s a year-round space, so there’s a lot we can do.”
The centre also holds a liquor licence, and the new owners plan to introduce a sports bar and pool table to create more of a community hub in the future.
“We’d like people to stay after games and enjoy the atmosphere,” Mr O’Neil said.
The official sale to Mr O’Neil and Mr Tyler was completed in December.
Ms Wollstein said she was pleased to see the venue continue as a dedicated sporting facility under new leadership and hoped it would keep growing.
“I certainly want them to be a success and to continue to grow even more,” she said.
“I’ll still be there playing.”
