Major upgrades to Sunshine Coast hinterland sport facility improves accessibility

A multimillion-dollar upgrade for the Sunshine Coast hinterland facility - Palmwoods Warriors Football Club headquarters – has improved access for all abilities while the adjacent Graeme Rae Oval is to receive new LED lighting to support cricket and AFL sports.

The modern, inclusive clubhouse includes refurbished change areas, canteen, meeting room and office, storage area and public amenities.

The works were delivered by Sunshine Coast Regional Council through several local Sunshine Coast contractors including Boydbuilt Constructions who employed 70 local tradies throughout the construction works.

Project details:

• Improved access

• Improved canteen facilities

• Replacement of all doors and ceilings

• Select cladding and wall surfaces to areas

• Outdoor decking and storage area

• New fittings and fixtures

• Efficient internal lighting

• Mechanical ventilation and air conditioning

• Landscaping of external area bank

• Upgrade of sewer

• Replacement of benches and cupboards

• More efficient storage

• Solar panels and power to the garden shed

• LED lighting

• Improve structural integrity

• Extended the life of existing assets

Sunshine Coast Council Deputy Mayor Rick Baberowski said the improvements were made possible thanks to funding from all three tiers of government adding “more than a million dollars has been injected into improving the Warriors Football Club clubhouse and LED lighting to the Graeme Rae oval – vital infrastructure to ensure that clubs can keep pace with the growing popularity of their sports.

“Sporting clubs like the Warriors Football Club, Hinterland Blues AFL Club and Palmwoods Cricket Club engage with many thousands of participants and are vital to the social fabric of our communities.

“They collectively play an important role in enabling our youth to get active, develop a sense of belonging, while bringing our communities together.”

Sunshine Coast Council Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston said providing compliant and accessible infrastructure were key principles valued at council and in the community and shared “the extensive undercover viewing area is sure to be a crowd pleaser and will provide a massive boost to the sporting clubs for the season and supports sun smart outcomes.

“Overall, it’s a win for the Palmwoods sports precinct, with a total of $2.7 million injected since 2021 when the adjacent Hinterland AFL and Palmwoods cricket clubhouse received a $1.5 million upgrade.”

The $560,000 Palmwoods Warriors Football Club project was jointly funded through the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program in association with Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Churches Soccer Association.

New lights are being installed to support cricket and AFL games played on the Graeme Rae Oval.

The new 300 lux LED lights over the wicket box and 200 lux outer field lighting will greatly improve competition and training opportunities.

The $519,000 Palmwoods Cricket/AFL LED lighting project was jointly funded by the Australian Government and Sunshine Coast Council. The Australian Government committing $450,000 through its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.