Jobs boon in Moreton Bay as new Indoor Sports Centre nears completion
Published 29 September 2020
Moreton Bay Region Mayor Peter Flannery is daring to dream of the economic and lifestyle benefits the new $15.8M South Pine Sports Complex (SPSC) Indoor Sports Centre extension will have on the community.
He recently toured the facilities at Brendale with Councillor Cath Tonks (Div 9) as the first story floor concrete was poured, meaning the project is now 60% complete.
Mayor Flannery said it was just one of six major precincts within the massive 86-hectare sports complex that Council is investing in.
“One thing we learned in lockdown is the importance of sporting infrastructure to our daily lives, so it’s great to see the Indoor Sporting Complex nearing completion,” he said.
“It’s a key part of the greater SPSC site that Council has already invested $44 million into, including the AFL precinct which was used by the Brisbane Lions Women as a base in their inaugural season.
“We have plans to invest a further $135 million over the coming decades to ensure future generations have a healthy lifestyle, as we cater for surging population growth across the region.
“The Brisbane Roar Women and Youth teams have both committed to relocating to a new football centre of excellence at the sports complex in time for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“So there is a lot of work going on at the site that will generate jobs and stimulate the economy for many years to come as we come out the other side of the coronavirus pandemic.”
The indoor complex extension includes three new multi-purpose courts, canteen and spectator areas, function and event space, universal changerooms, amenities and retractable grandstand seating.
This project also includes the construction of a new $2.3M rugby union and touch football clubhouse and amenities adjacent to the indoor centre.
BBN Constructions director Brett Hardner said work was coming along as scheduled and would be on track to be complete by early 2021.
“With the first-floor slab down we’ve now commenced works on both the north and south administration sections of the indoor centre, and preliminary works on its new courts,” he said.
“This project has been a great boost for BBN Constructions during COVID-19 and it’s helped keep 100-plus jobs going through these difficult times.
“Moreton Bay Region is an exciting place for development right now, so we’re very thankful for this opportunity with the Council and look forward to continuing this well into the future.”
Once complete the new facilities will be suitable for at least 13 indoor sports including: wheelchair rugby, basketball, taekwondo, and it will feature a multipurpose function room for community events.
Cr Tonks said she can’t wait to see the Indoor Sports Centre and rugby clubhouse being put to use by thousands of local children.
“As a mother of three I’ve always valued the impact community sport has, not only for their fitness, but for their development into young adults,” she said.
“Thanks to Council’s focus on lifestyle, Moreton Bay is well and truly ahead of other southeast Queensland councils when it comes the delivery of sports infrastructure.
“But our region is growing at a rapid rate, so it’s vitally important we continue to develop state-of-the-art facilities like the Indoor Sports Centre and rugby clubhouse for the next generations to come.”