New $15.8 million centre to be officially opened

The new $15.8 million Indoor Centre and rugby union and touch football clubhouse facilities at Brendale’s South Pine Sports Complex will be officially opened on Saturday.

It will cater for at least 11 different sports and activities ranging from basketball and netball to wheelchair sports, martial arts and rugby.

The Moreton Bay Region's newest centre can host 2000 fans on a show court, community events and conferences, with five new multi-purpose rooms and suites.

It has already hosted a number of events including the Under 16 Queensland Basketball Championships. The state taekwondo titles will be under its roof on Sunday.

Sport spending

Mayor Peter Flannery thanked the crews for putting in 110 per cent to deliver this regional facility on budget.

“I’m no basketballer, but I can say this is a massive slam dunk for the lifestyle and amenity of residents right across the region,” he says.

“Council is committed to building a healthy community for everyone and we’re doing that by investing into recreational facilities like this right across the Moreton Bay Region.

“In fact, we’ve increased our investment into sports infrastructure this financial year by 40 per cent on the previous year, up to $49 million in 2020-21.”

Biggest in state

South Pine Sports Association President Gerry See says the new indoor centre will complement the existing facilities at South Pine Sports Complex (SPSC).

“While SPSC might be close to the biggest sports complex in Queensland by size, I believe it could be the biggest by sheer participation numbers too,” he says.

“Nearly 10,000 people participate in sport at SPSC on a weekly basis, and we cater for at least 5000 students through school sports activity every year.

“We have everything from AFL, cricket, hockey, football, rugby league, outdoor netball, gymnastics and the upgraded indoor centre and rugby union and touch football clubhouse.

“I expect those numbers to grow again with the completion of this work.”

Olympic hope

Councillor Cath Tonks (Div 9) hopes the centre may be used by teams for the 2032 Olympic Games, if Brisbane secures the hosting rights.

“We’ve had interest in the Indoor Centre during the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, which is being hosted in Australia,” she says.

“We’re also adding the new Queensland Centre of Excellence for Women’s Football in time for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“I hope it continues to encourage more and more people take up one of the many sports on offer right here.”

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