A $2.1 million expansion of Maroochydore Basketball Stadium is already opening opportunities for sport on the Sunshine Coast and helping local clubs to grow.
Just ask Suncoast Clippers president Shane Truscott, whose excitement and passion for the project makes it easy to understand the significant community benefit already afforded by two new indoor courts, not only for basketball but other sports too.
The stadium expansion, jointly funded by council’s Capital Works Program, the Queensland Government Get Playing Plus Program and the Maroochydore Eagles Basketball Association, was officially opened today.
Division 6 Councillor Christian Dickson has worked with Mr Truscott and the club throughout the funding, planning and construction stages.
“I’m proud to see what a difference this project has made for the clubs,” Cr Dickson said.
“The benefits of the expansion were immediate and easy to see with the addition of extra basketball games during the week, state events locked in and other sporting clubs already using the space.
“It’s wonderful to have yet another high-quality sporting stadium right here on the Sunshine Coast.”
Mr Truscott said the expansion had allowed his club to expand and host major events.
“Having two new indoor courts, in addition to the existing one, has been fantastic and it’s already allowing us to grow the opportunities for basketball and other sports,” Mr Truscott said.
“Our junior teams have nearly doubled since the interior of the stadium was completed at the end of January and the Sunshine Coast Basketball Association now has a home venue to play junior representative games.
“We hosted an Australia Day carnival with more than 60 teams with nearly 500 competitors from across South East Queensland and up to Bundaberg, which we previously couldn’t do, and will welcome Special Olympics State Games events for the first time next month.”
Mr Truscott encouraged people to join the new season of social games starting soon after Easter. Updates will be provided on the Maroochydore Clippers Basketball Association Facebook page.
In addition to new courts, the stadium expansion included a referees room, renovated change rooms and shower rooms, sprung timber floors, energy efficient LED lights, automated ventilation louvres to maximise natural light and reduce power consumption, and disabled access amenities.
The stadium is also used for karate, blue light discos and University of the Third Age activities such as yoga.
Council also improved pathways and landscaping and added an entrance statement within Elizabeth Daniels Park to further add to this sporting precinct.