Maroochydore CBD convention and exhibition centre bid gains private investor support

Prominent Sunshine Coast identities are pledging millions of dollars in financial support to finally deliver a convention and exhibition centre at the Maroochydore CBD.

Prominent Sunshine Coast identities are pledging millions of dollars in financial support for a bold bid to finally deliver a convention and exhibition centre at the Maroochydore CBD.

Well known businessmen Roy Thompson and Rod Forrester are among Sunshine Coast investors who have pledged a combined $2.5m.

An anonymous donor is matching all local contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis, taking it to $5m.

New designs for a multipurpose, 2000-seat centre were released in November with Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien leading a campaign for private investment and government funding.

Under the new proposal the centre could be used to host preliminary basketball events at the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A block of land with no height limits has been set aside for the venue within the 53ha Maroochydore City Centre.

Mr Thompson, a generous philanthropist, has been a vocal supporter of establishing an entertainment centre at Maroochydore.

“We have to have the heavy rail into Maroochydore, the football oval (stadium upgrade) and a cultural centre, we have to have all three of them,” Mr Thompson said.

“If they do the right thing, it’ll be a beaut, it’s a lovely design.”

Mr Thompson said the Queensland Ballet – which he and his wife Nola were generous donors to – committed to bringing four shows a year once the Sunshine Coast has a convention centre.

Experienced property developer Mr Forrester said the region missed out on too many major events due to not having a convention centre.

“Infrastructure like this is vital for the growth of the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Forrester said.

“It’s well overdue … I see this latest bid as being a bit like Boondall – it’ll be great for the restaurants and accommodation sector too.

“I’d be grateful to see something like that built here.

“The Gold Coast is onto its third convention centre, and we’re half the population yet we are yet to have our first, so we’ve been behind for a long time.

“I’m excited to see all of this happen.”

If Maroochydore is confirmed as the location for the Olympic basketball preliminaries Mr O’Brien said public funds could help build a sporting facility.

“If there’s ever a time for us to think big and be bold, it’s now,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The fact that local residents are generously pledging their own hard-earned money in support of the entertainment centre vision speaks volumes about our capacity to unite around a compelling idea for the future.”

He said pledges of $150,000 and over were being accepted.

Property developer Rod Forrester believes a convention and exhibition centre is long overdue.

Mr O’Brien said a convention centre would also strengthen the case for a new heavy rail line between Beerwah and Maroochydore.

“This is just the beginning,” Mr O’Brien said.

“There is a long way to go before this vision becomes a reality, and we need to take one step at a time.

“This deal represents the next step in our campaign to see the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games deliver a lasting legacy for our community.”

The proposal has gained support from state and local government figures too with Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson and Sunshine Coast Council councillor Joe Natoli backing Mr O’Brien’s bid.