Bold vision for sport, tourism hub

The Dolphins has always been a club with great vision, a fact which propelled it into the NRL and is now driving a masterplan for its Redcliffe home.

The club has created a bold plan for the site, at the corner of Klingner and Ashmole roads, which it hopes will be realised in the run-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

Dolphins Group CEO Tony Murphy shared the club’s vision with Moreton Daily.

It includes a beefed-up stadium to seat 22,000-24,000 people, one or two towers of hotel accommodation, re-positioning the club building and constructing a 1000-seat conference centre with meeting rooms and a link to the stadium.

Tony says the club’s plans to increase Kayo Stadium’s capacity include building a grandstand at the southern end of the field and increasing seating on the Des Webb Stand, adding another tier.

The hotel accommodation would provide 300-400 beds in about 200 rooms, easing a shortage across the City of Moreton Bay.

There is also potential for the adjacent Dolphins Central shopping centre to expand skywards, with a second storey added.

Tony says the plans aim to create a hub for tourism, entertainment and sport on the Peninsula.

“The whole point is not to build anything that wouldn’t be used often,” he explains.

“People can come and visit to go to a conference or go to a game.”

Packages could be created for footy fans wanting to watch the team train, tour the facilities and meet the players in a tailored, personal experience.

Tony says the masterplan aims to capitalise on the club’s expertise in food and beverage, rugby league and tourism attraction.

Visitors would have easy access to Moreton Bay, Moreton Island and attractions on the Redcliffe Peninsula and in the broader City of Moreton Bay.

“It makes a lot of sense,” he says.

The club is hoping to partner with government to turn its vision into reality, as it did to build the existing stadium.

Tony says new LNP State Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley understands the project and the club has already met with Premier David Crisafulli.

“We would love to help them solve issues with the Olympic Games for displaced sports,” he explains.

These could include the Reds, Broncos, Dolphins and Roar, when existing stadiums needed for the Games are unavailable for an extended period in the lead-up to the event, during and afterwards.

Tony says the club has a strong case for funding and is ‘in there fighting’. He would love to see the masterplan realised by 2023, if not before.

“We’ve just got to keep talking and convince people that it’s a good idea, which it is,” he says.

Stage one - the stadium upgrade and new club would cost about $60 million.

The club would likely fund the hotel itself but would be hoping for a partnership with government for the conference centre.

“We are not for profit. We put anything we make back into the sport and making the sporting facilities better,” Tony says.

The Dolphins support a broad range of other local sporting clubs and organisations on the Peninsula through its grants program.

It also subsidises its aquatic centre to the tune of $250,000-$300,000 per year, providing affordable learn-to-swim lessons for about 800 children.