Whitsunday Council reveals huge new sports precinct with Olympic pools and equestrian arenas

A massive new sports precinct boasting everything from BMX tracks to Olympic pools is a step closer after Whitsunday councillors backed the plan this week.

A new master plan for a huge sports precinct in the Whitsundays is promising footy fields, cricket pitches, olympic pools, and equestrian arenas with construction starting sooner than you might think. Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images/AFP

A new master plan for a huge sports precinct in the Whitsundays is promising footy fields, cricket pitches, olympic pools, and equestrian arenas with construction starting sooner than you might think.

Whitsunday Regional Council endorsed the Sports Precinct Master Plan at its recent council meeting with Mayor Ry Collins saying it was perfect timing with the upcoming Olympics.

Whitsunday Regional Council endorsed the Sports Precinct Master Plan at their December council meeting with Mayor Ry Collins saying it was perfect timing with the upcoming Olympics.

He said the Queensland Firebirds were coming to the region to support the project and it was a great opportunity for future grassroots carnivals.

The 95ha site adjoining Shute Harbour and Brandy Creek Road in Cannon Valley will play home to six sub precincts focused on different sports as well as a walking and cycling network with a scenic trail and a cross-country course with space put aside for a future P–12 school and a Council Depot investigation area.

Stage 1 is set to be delivered by the end of 2027 and will focus on sports with the greatest demand for facilities in the region as well as intersection upgrades.

Stage 1 is set to be delivered by the end of 2027 and will focus on sports with the greatest demand for facilities in the region as well as intersection upgrades.

Netball, tennis and pickleball courts, cricket pitches, multiple rectangular football fields, and multiple club houses are all planned to be a part of stage one.

Future stages are set to include six touch fields with two more overlaid cricket fields, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a three-court indoor sports facility catering for basketball, volleyball, and other indoor sports, an all-weather BMX track, a covered equestrian arena, outdoor arenas, stables, yards, a cross-country course and float parking, an 8-lane grass athletics track, and throwing and jumping facilities.

The first stage will be supported by a $15 million Federal Government grant.

Council says to create the master plan it undertook targeted engagement with 38 sporting clubs and peak bodies.

Originally published as Whitsunday Council reveals huge new sports precinct with Olympic pools and equestrian arenas