A major new pickleball facility is taking shape, with eight purpose-built courts set to expand opportunities on the Sunshine Coast for one of Australia’s fastest-growing sports.
The courts are being built as an addition to Mooloolaba Tennis Club’s existing facilities, with no tennis courts being removed.
The club will continue to operate its 10 existing tennis courts alongside the new pickleball precinct.
Mooloolaba Tennis Club committee member Emma Morrish said the project had been more than three years in the making and had overcome environmental and financial challenges.
“To now see the courts nearing completion is incredibly exciting for everyone involved,” she said.
Ms Morrish said the new facility would help meet growing demand for the sport, with the Sunshine Coast already home to highly ranked players.
“These new courts will provide much-needed infrastructure to support the growth of pickleball, creating more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get active, connect socially, and participate in a welcoming sport,” she said.
The courts have been purpose-built with dedicated lighting, with the club hoping the facility will attract larger competitions to the Coast.
“In turn, this will deliver valuable economic benefits to the region while further enhancing the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as a leading sporting destination,” Ms Morrish said.
Pickleball has been played at the club since 2019, when the first group had just four players.
KT Mooloolaba Academy director Adon Kronk said the development would provide dedicated facilities for pickleball players while allowing tennis participation to continue growing.
“We’re actually the first tennis facility in the state to add pickleball courts without losing tennis courts,” he said.
He said the sport’s accessibility had helped drive its rapid growth and attracted people who may not have previously participated in tennis.
“A lot of people who play pickleball don’t play tennis or have never played tennis. That’s why it’s growing so quickly because it’s a lot easier to pick up for new players,” he said.
“It brings people into the club who would never walk through the door of a tennis club.”
The club has recorded significant use across its facilities, with Mr Kronk saying it attracts about 57,000 site visits each year.
“We’re actually the second most utilised tennis facility in the country,” he said.
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The new courts are expected to be completed in mid to late September, with an official opening celebration planned for October 22.
The opening will be followed by a three-day Sunshine Coast Open Pickleball tournament, hosted by KT Mooloolaba, which is expected to attract players and visitors from across Queensland and interstate.
The project is being delivered through a State Government Capital Grant from the Department of Tourism and Sport, Sunshine Coast Council funding including the Major Grant and Minor Capital Works Program, and contributions from Mooloolaba Tennis Club.
The Mooloolaba Tennis Club is located at 112 Lady Musgrave Drive, Mooloolaba.
