A bid for a 20-year lease could pave the way for a major upgrade at a Sunshine Coast hockey facility, including a second synthetic pitch.
The Sunshine Coast Hockey Association, based at Ballinger Park in Buderim, is seeking a 10-year lease from Sunshine Coast Council, with a further 10-year conditional option over its existing facility to help unlock a $6m to $9m infrastructure upgrade.
The hockey lease is one of four community tenure requests before council, with proposed terms ranging from 10 years for Maroochydore Rugby Union Club and Restoring Hope Parkinson’s Therapy to 20 years for Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club.
Sunshine Coast Hockey has operated from Ballinger Park since 1982 and is seeking greater security over the site as it plans future upgrades.
In its submitted proposal, Sunshine Coast Hockey Association secretary Lindia Hicks said a long-term lease would “underpin future capital investment and development in our facilities to better serve the region’s sporting and community needs”.
The association currently supports more than 1000 registered members across junior, senior and representative competitions, with the facility used year-round for training, games, school programs and tournaments.
Hockey Queensland has identified the Sunshine Coast as Queensland’s most under-resourced hockey region, with more than 1000 players relying on a single artificial turf pitch.
The association’s proposal said a second pitch would “create capacity immediately, reducing late-night training, grass-field reliance and participation barriers”.
The planned upgrade would include a second synthetic turf with lighting, upgraded changerooms, dugouts, spectator seating, expanded parking and digital scoreboard systems.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
The project has also been identified as a potential opportunity to attract larger events and international teams ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Council officers have recommended approving the 20-year lease, with the additional 10-year option dependent on Sunshine Coast Hockey securing funding and beginning construction of the proposed upgrades during the first lease term.
The recommendation will go before councillors at the Ordinary Meeting on October 15, with the chief executive officer to finalise the agreements if approved.
