Tenders for Chandler Sports Precinct and Sunshine Coast Stadium to be released 20th May

The Queensland Government has today announced EOIs for tenders for Chandler Sports Precinct and Sunshine Coast Stadium are being released Monday 20th May.

A phased approach to venue procurement for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been adopted by the Queensland Government, as supported by industry. An industry briefing between Government and more than 70 businesses is being held today, ahead of the first EOIs for tenders being released on 20th May.

Thorough assessments have been completed on the Chandler Sports Precinct (also known as the Sleeman Sports Complex) and three Sunshine Coast venues, paving the way for the procurement process to begin.

The Kawana Sports Precinct will see a new $142 million indoor sports centre built, with the adjacent Sunshine Coast Stadium receiving a $148 million upgrade.

The Chandler Sports Precinct and Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre and are also in line for multimillion dollar upgrades of $257 million and $14 million respectively.

Chandler Sports Precinct - Indoor Sports Centre and Precinct works contract will go to market on Monday 20th May along with Sunshine Coast Stadium

The Australian and Queensland Governments have jointly allocated funding from the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program for investment in these projects.

The Q2032 Procurement Strategy will prioritise local businesses so they have the best chance to supply for projects which will support more than 1,000 jobs, with the first contracts due to be awarded later this year. Early works on the Sunshine Coast Stadium will begin in late 2024, with other construction due to begin in 2025.

This means that - still more than eight years out from the Games - a quarter of the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program will be out in the market in the coming months, and with further projects close to investment decision almost half are due out by the end of 2024.

The Queensland and Australian Governments have committed to sourcing at least 30% of procurement from Queensland SMEs for the Minor Venues Program, as well as targets for 10-15% of all the hours on the projects to be undertaken by apprentices or trainees - helping to deliver the pipeline of construction workers our growing state needs.

The final project scopes and locations were selected following a vigorous Project Validation Report process, have been endorsed by national, state, and local governments, and were recommended to proceed in the recent independent Sport Venue Review.

Communities across Queensland are set to benefit from the Games, with events to be held in a range of locations including in Cairns, Townsville, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and the Gold Coast.

Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm noted “these new and upgraded facilities won’t just benefit sporting communities on the Sunshine Coast, they’ll benefit all Queenslanders and those who travel here each year to take part in sporting events.

“With plans for Sunshine Coast rail underway, we’re focused on ensuring the infrastructure that the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games needs to be a success is delivered, and ensures a long-term transformational legacy is there for all to see following the games.”

Sunshine Coast Basketball Association General Manager ,Sean Page added "the Sunshine Coast Basketball Association is excited about the new 11-court indoor sports centre at Kawana and would like to thank Council and the State and Federal governments for recognising the unprecedented growth of basketball on the Sunshine Coast and the urgent need for this facility.

“This world-class facility will allow the SCBA to better service our thousands of members from all over the Sunshine Coast, as well as provide space for several other indoor sports.

“This facility will also enable the SCBA attract state, national and international events to the region which benefits not only the SCBA, but the entire Sunshine Coast.”

Further venue information

Sunshine Coast Stadium - contract to market on Monday 20th May
The Sunshine Coast Stadium will receive a $148 million upgrade to ensure it attracts world-class sport, recreational and entertainment events. The stadium is proposed to host the football preliminaries and quarter-final matches during the Games with 20,000 seats (10,000 permanent - up from 1,000 now) but the upgrade will benefit the community, including tenants such as the Sunshine Coast Falcons, much sooner and long after. The dual projects will see the Kawana precinct become a hub of community and elite sport.

New Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre – contract to market in August 2024
Also located in the Kawana Sports Precinct, the new $142 million Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre will be a sustainable, modern facility with 11 courts and multifunctional areas suitable for a range of sports and community uses before and after the Games. Earmarked to host Games competition with around 6,000 spectator seats, the new centre will meet the growth in population and the need for indoor court facilities in the region to ensure rising Sunshine Coast stars can continue to develop future sporting careers in their backyard.

Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre – contract to market in 2025
Located near Nambour, the mountain bike centre will benefit from a $14 million upgrade to help meet the growing demand for mountain biking facilities in the region. The new mountain bike cycling hub will offer circuit, beginner level trails and a skills park suitable for multisport events, as well as bike hire facilities and space for a café. It will host 8,000 standing spectators and temporary seating for 2,000.

Chandler Sports Precinct - Indoor Sports Centre and Precinct works contract to market on Monday 20th May; Aquatic Centre contract to market in 2025
Chandler Sports Precinct will benefit from a $257 million investment for new and upgraded venues. A new Indoor Sports Centre is earmarked to hold gymnastics and Paralympic wheelchair basketball during the Games with 10,000 spectator seats. The Brisbane Aquatic Centre is proposed to host diving and water polo and benefit from an upgrade, and there will be further investment for works that will benefit the whole precinct, where track cycling and BMX racing is also set to take place at the Anna Meares Velodrome and BMX SuperCross track.

Main image: Render for the Indoor Sports Centre at the Chandler Sports Precinct. All renders and artist impressions courtesy of the Queensland Government.