A community campaign to build an iconic Entertainment Centre in the Maroochydore CBD as a legacy of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is picking up pace with $10 million in philanthropic pledges now raised in support of the vision.
The campaign to build the multi-purpose venue, capable of hosting world class theatre, live music and major sporting events, was launched late last year by Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien as part of his vision to leverage the 2032 Games to create a lasting legacy for the Sunshine Coast.
The proposed venue has been earmarked as a potential to host basketball preliminaries at the 2032 Games and Ted O’Brien has recommended that it be built as part of an iconic multi-purpose Entertainment Centre located in the Maroochydore CBD.
The visionary project could breathe life into the stalled process of infrastructure development for the 2032 Games.
Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said the project had the makings of an “exemplar” deal for the 2032 Games.
“It would bring the ‘new norms’ of the Olympic movement to life by empowering the local community to define its future and leverage the Games to accelerate its delivery,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It also paves the way for a three-way deal between government, community and the private sector.”
Ted O’Brien was instrumental in securing the 50:50 partnership between the state and federal governments last year, which paved the way for a final proposal for South-East Queensland to host the Games, now branded as ‘Brisbane-2032’.
“This is precisely the sort of deal we envisioned for 2032 because it delivers on a community desire and uses government funding to unlock further private sector financing.”
At least $85 million is expected to flow from state and federal governments for a new venue to host basketball preliminaries on the Sunshine Coast, which would act as a down payment for a larger deal with the private sector to build the Entertainment Centre.”
“What’s more, this project strengthens our argument for a new heavy passenger rail line to run all the way to the Maroochydore CBD by 2032.”
Mr O’Brien has been a long-standing advocate for better rail to both Nambour and Maroochydore, and this year’s Federal Budget committed $1.6 billion towards a $3.2 billion plan to bring rail to Maroochydore.
“The $10 million of pledges shows the level of support from the community, and I’ve been blown away by people’s generosity.”
In November 2021, it was announced that business leaders Roy Thompson and Rod Forrester had pledged $1 million each in support of the vision.
“The Entertainment Centre is just one piece of the puzzle,” says Mr O’Brien.
Early designs for the venue reveal the possibility of a 6,000 seat auditorium capable of accommodating international standard performing arts such as opera, ballet, musicals, and theatre as well as major sporting events.
Now that we have $10 million pledged by anonymous philanthropists, a grassroots campaign is being launched so the local community can have their say.
You can follow the campaign at www.sunshinecoastentertainmentcentre.com.au
