REDLAND City Council will move forward with feasibility and master planning for three possible sites identified for a new indoor sports complex in Redlands Coast.
A report into possible sites for a legacy venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games was presented as a late item to Redland City Council, receiving majority support from councillors to progress the planning work.
Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop voted against the motion, cautioning Council on the significant price tag of a new indoor sports complex.
“There is no doubt that our community wants and deserves such a facility, and I share that aspiration, but before we talk about where it should go, we need to be crystal clear about how it can be delivered and funded,” Cr Bishop said.
“We have to ensure that the project is financially viable before moving too far down that path.”
Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said that without the planning progressing, Council would be flying blind and putting the brakes on moving the project forward.
Division 5 Councillor Shane Rendalls said the 2032 Olympics was fast approaching and detailed plans could lead to opportunities for government funding for a legacy venue.
Division 9 Councillor Jason Colley said the report had been 12 months in the making and demand for such a facility was clear.
“There are many things our community demands of us and what I have certainly heard loud and clear is that they do want us to pursue this facility, so I do think it is a responsible thing for us to be investing our ratepayers’ money into,” Cr Colley said.
The Action Plan handed down to Council identifies a current shortfall of 15-18 indoor courts across the Redlands, which was projected to increase to 19 by 2041, a shortage of about 2600 additional weekly participation opportunities.
With the Redlands population projected to grow and age, residents aged 65 and over are expected to increase by 6 per cent by 2031, making up 26 per cent of the total population.
Children are expected to account for 15.3 per cent.
The report found this would drive demand for indoor sports facilities that support youth participation and also cater to older residents through activities such as yoga, pilates, pickleball and group fitness.
The report also identifies basketball and futsal as high-participation sports experiencing facility shortages in the region.
The Action Plan recommends that Council proceed with planning for a new Council-owned multi-purpose indoor sports facility with a minimum of six courts, preferably eight.
The preferred sites have been kept confidential until further planning is complete.
Until the new complex is built, strategies to address the shortage of indoor courts and to create more participation opportunities include advocating to state schools with available facilities to secure additional time, space, and longer tenure arrangements.
Council will also investigate the feasibility of covering one of three identified outdoor court facilities to enable all-weather use.
In addition, it will engage with the State Government to explore targeted investment opportunities aimed at enhancing school-based sports infrastructure for shared community use.
