North Shore complex masterplan endorsed

Sunshine Coast Council’s Service Delivery Committee today endorsed a masterplan for the Mudjimba North Shore Multi-Sports Complex that will breathe new life into the site through revitalising sports fields and allocating space to establish a planned community centre.

The masterplan, which will go before the next Ordinary Meeting of council for final approval, will upgrade existing sports fields by incorporating four soccer fields and two cricket ovals into the plan. The long unused baseball infrastructure will be removed, and council will investigate the possibility of reusing it in other sporting fields.

Council also gave the green light to proceed with a Material Change of Use application to build a community centre on the site. Design of the centre is nearing completion following community engagement undertaken by council in July.

Major Projects Portfolio holder Cr Debbie Blumel said the masterplan had taken into account both sporting and community-use needs in its development.

“Council’s endorsement of the masterplan for the North Shore site is a significant step forward in its strategy to provide great facilities to meet the needs of our community,” Cr Blumel said.

“There has been a considerable amount of work conducted to date to find a suitable site for the centre to ensure it meets the needs of the community, and that its design fits well with the surrounding open space.

“The masterplan has taken these factors into account and struck what I believe is a good balance in meeting the sporting and community-use needs of residents.”

In 2006, a site off Menzies Road, Pacific Paradise was proposed for the community centre, however the proposal was rejected following advice from the Department of Natural Resources and Water.

The North Shore site was endorsed by council in January 2009, and the original concept design for the centre was reworked to fit the new location and to take into account the community engagement held in July.

The community centre is planned to include three multi-functional meeting rooms, performance and presentation area, meeting area with enclosed outdoor playground, office and kitchen facilities, reception and a general foyer and gathering space.

Council is investigating options to involve the community in its development through such avenues as public art, gardens and landscaping, and potentially other internal elements of the building fit-out.