Noosa and Sunshine Coast residents are being urged to join a region-wide push for a new 12-court indoor sports centre, as demand for court space continues to outstrip supply from the hinterland to the coast.
Sunshine Coast Council is calling on the community to rally behind a petition asking the Australian and Queensland governments to invest in a regional indoor facility to serve the fast-growing population.
Indoor courts across the Sunshine Coast are operating at or near capacity, with many players missing out on their chosen sports. Council figures show the region already needs an additional 15 courts, with that shortfall expected to climb to more than 40 within two decades if no action is taken.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said a new indoor sports centre would not only meet sporting demand but also strengthen the social fabric of the region.
“Our community deserves modern, accessible indoor courts that allow locals to play the sport they love,” Mayor Natoli said.
“Indoor sport creates a shared space – a place where people of all ages come together, form friendships and feel a sense of belonging.
“Participation is growing rapidly, driven by population growth, increased female involvement and the rise of sports like basketball, futsal and pickleball. Right now, our region simply doesn’t have the space to keep up.”
She said contemporary facilities were also needed to cater for para-sport participation.
Two potential locations have been identified for the proposed Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre – the Honey Farm Road Sports Precinct and David Low Way at Mudjimba.
Councillor Taylor Bunnag said both sites offered the size, access and proximity to services required for a regional-scale facility.
“Our focus is on attracting a regional indoor 12-court facility and these two sites provide Council with the opportunity to advance discussions with other levels of government,” Cr Bunnag said.
Sunshine Coast Basketball Association general manager Sean Page said the shortage of courts was “turning people away”.
“Our indoor facilities are fragmented, stretched and in many cases outdated – they were never designed to support the level of demand we’re seeing today,” Mr Page said.
Council is urging residents to show their support by signing the petition via its website and searching “indoor sports”, saying strong community backing will be crucial to securing state and federal funding.
