A $9 million program will support sports groups in the vicinity of Sunshine Coast Stadium, which will be upgraded for the 2032 Games.
The state government will deliver a new clubhouse for the Kawana Dolphins Senior Rugby League Club, upgrades to the Meridan Fields community sports complex, and temporary bases for organisations impacted during construction.
The Sunshine Coast Falcons, currently headquartered at the stadium, will temporarily relocate after this year’s rugby league season to enable work to start.
The Falcons will next year play at Meridan Fields, which will receive improved field lighting, timekeeping and game filming facilities, new goal posts and temporary spectator seating.
For the 2028 and 2029 seasons, the Falcons will relocate to the Kawana Dolphins complex, which will receive a new clubhouse in 2027.
Several sports groups currently based at the stadium will also be temporarily accommodated within the Kawana Sports Precinct during construction.
The local infrastructure upgrades sit outside the jointly funded $7.1 billion Games Venue Infrastructure Program, which is delivering 17 Games venue projects across Queensland.
Design work for the stadium upgrade is progressing after the appointment of leading Queensland firm Architectus as principal architect, with early site works to start before the end of the year, ahead of major construction starting next year.
The venue, which will host football matches in 2032, will feature increased grandstand capacity, enhanced community and event spaces, improved player amenities and greater accessibility.
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Deputy Premier and Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie said the government was intent on helping local sports groups.
“As construction gets underway at Sunshine Coast Stadium, we’re making sure local sporting clubs continue to thrive by investing in new facilities, upgraded community infrastructure and permanent assets that will benefit generations of Sunshine Coast families,” he said.
“This is exactly what our Games plan is about: building world-class venues while creating lasting opportunities for local communities, sporting clubs and future generations of Queenslanders.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said Sunshine Coast Council had worked closely with each club over several years to plan for the future and support a smooth transition, as major sporting infrastructure projects progressed across the region.
“We know this will bring change for a number of clubs and their members, and we appreciate the way our sporting community has worked with us throughout the planning process,” she said.
“Council has already invested more than $2 million in upgrades to Meridan Fields, and this Queensland Government funding will help create an even stronger sporting precinct that local clubs, players and spectators can enjoy for years to come.
“These projects are about more than infrastructure. They are about supporting our children and adults: creating opportunities for people to stay active, connected and involved in their local community.
“I want to thank the Queensland Government for its investment and partnership and, most importantly, the clubs, committees, volunteers, players, families and members who have engaged positively and helped shape these outcomes for our region.”
The Kawana Dolphins seniors will utilise Meridan Fields while their clubhouse is being built next year, before they return to their home ground, and new clubhouse, in 2028. Meanwhile the Dolphins juniors will be permanently based at Meridan Fields.
Kawana Dolphins Senior Rugby League President Michelle Horn said the government’s support provided certainty for the club’s members, and remaining at Kawana allows them to continue building the club’s proud history while providing certainty for future generations.
“This is an opportunity to create a lasting legacy that will serve the Kawana community, strengthen rugby league on the Sunshine Coast and provide a permanent home for generations of Dolphins to come,” she said.
“This support allows us to preserve more than three decades of rugby league history while creating an exciting future for our club and the wider Kawana community. The new clubhouse will become the permanent home of the Kawana Dolphins Seniors and a place where our community can continue to gather, celebrate and grow together.”
Just over a year ago, there were concerns the Kawana Dolphins would make way for a new Olympic Games indoor sports centre, but that proposal was abandoned, with an arena at Maroochydore proposed instead.
Sunshine Coast Falcons CEO Chris Flannery said the club was excited to work with Crisafulli Government, Sunshine Coast Council and the Kawana Dolphins to deliver the Dolphins seniors a brand-new clubhouse, as well as male and female dressing room facilities.
“This facility will provide a first-class playing venue for the Falcons teams to use while the new stadium development takes place over the next few years and leave a lasting legacy for the Kawana Dolphins teams to train and play in going forward,” he said.
“The current Kawana clubhouse and dressing rooms have remained largely the same for over 40 years, since I was playing here as a junior, so to see the Kawana Dolphins players, staff, members and volunteers finally get a new clubhouse and facility, is a wonderful outcome for everyone involved.”
The Falcons will return to play at Sunshine Coast Stadium after the expansion is completed.
