‘Major’ clubhouse makeover on the cards for Noosa Dolphins ahead of 2032 Olympics

A popular rugby union club on the Sunshine Coast has confirmed “ambitious” plans for a “major” clubhouse makeover are in the works.

Artist impression of what the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club's new facilities could look like.

A Sunshine Coast rugby union club has confirmed “ambitious” plans for “major” club upgrades are in the works, with hopes they will host international teams before the 2032 Olympics.

In a public announcement issued back in February, The Noosa Dolphins unveiled their proposed refurbishment of the club alongside artist impressions of what the new facilities could look like.

Despite some legal formalities having forced the club to withdraw and resubmit their development application (DA), club president Chris Burton said the design process was well underway.

“We’ve got to get the DA across the line first,” Mr Burton said.

“But if everything goes super smooth from there, we’d like to have it done by the first half of 2027.”

When asked why the upgrades were so important, Mr Burton said the Dolphins had outgrown their current facilities.

“When the clubhouse was built, we had less than 20 per cent of the teams and club members than we’ve got now,” he said.

“We’ve just outgrown it.”

Artist impression of what the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club's new facilities could look like.

In 1992, the Dolphins had two teams. By the start of the 2025 season, they had 19, ranging from Under Sixes to Senior Men and Women.

“We’ve got to cater a lot more to the women’s teams as well,” Mr Burton added.

“That’s a big part of it.

“We need more changerooms, a proper medical room and referees facilities as well.”

Mr Burton said the redevelopment was “about lifting the standard overall” for Noosa’s rugby lovers as well as the wider community.

The club’s February announcement said the proposed upgrades would deliver a facility capable of catering to community needs, “ensuring increased usage over the full 12 months of the year”.

“Council’s right on side with that part of it,” Mr Burton said.

Funding the redevelopment of the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club may require significant public support. Image: Artist impression of the proposed new facilities.

“The biggest hurdle’s going to be getting funding.”

Knowing their plans were “ambitious and funding the build would not be easy”, the Dolphins’ team had “preliminary discussions” with state and federal politicians in pursuit of financial assistance earlier this year.

Club-wide fundraisers may also be necessary to supplement any grant funding and help see the club’s dream become a reality, Mr Burton said.

“We want to get not just the rugby community, but the Sunshine Beach and Noosa community in general behind it because it’ll be a great facility for that whole area to utilise,” he said.

The upgraded facilities would not only cater to the club’s growing needs, but also have the capacity to host state and international teams.

Mr Burton said having the new clubhouse up and running before the 2027 and 2027 Rugby World Cups and the 2032 Olympics was “the hope”.

“It would be significant for our regional area, especially with the Olympics being for all of Queensland,” he said.

“If we get this facility to where we want it to be, we’d be looking at hosting pre-tournament training camps for international teams.

“It’ll lift the profile of rugby on the whole Sunshine Coast, but particularly Noosa.”