New community club house opens at sports precinct

Back - Deputy Mayor Darren Everard, Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari, Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders, Mayor George Seymour.
Front – Cyclist Shelby Anderson and Oz Tag player Charlie Anderson.

Hervey Bay sisters Shelby and Charlie Anderson both participate in different sports, but both were excited about the opening of the latest club house at the Fraser Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct last night (Wednesday, August 4).

The new club house is shared by the cycling club and Oztag Hervey Bay. The new club house is the third to be built at the precinct, with both Hervey Bay Netball and Football Hervey Bay also having their own club houses.

The facility was 100% funded by a $1.1 million grant from the State Government’s COVID Works for Queensland funding program.

The Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders welcomed the opening.

“The Palaszczuk Government is working with the Fraser Coast Regional Council to deliver better facilities and create jobs,” Mr Saunders said.

“First-class facilities such as these at the sport and rec precinct will be in high demand in the led up to the 2032 Olympics as training places for our future sporting stars, and bases for the international teams in the lead up to the games.”

Funding building projects was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s plan for economic recovery, which helped attract events that bring more visitors to the region the Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said.

“It’s great to see our local teams using the precinct to train and play.

“It’s a real focal point for the Hervey Bay community and adds to the Bay’s status as a premium regional venue.”

The continual development of the precinct gave residents access to new high-quality sporting facilities which helped attract events to bring more visitors to the region, Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

“It’s now two and a half years since the sports precinct opened and it’s been heartening to see how local netball, football, cycling and OzTag players are using the new facilities,” he said.

“With the help of State and Federal grants, Council is continuing to build the precinct. Council has received $1.7m from the Australian Government for carpark, roadway and drainage upgrades at the precinct.

“Basketball Hervey Bay has also taken a lease of land at the precinct to build their new stadium.”

In the coming months Council will be talking with residents about the priorities and vision for stage two of the precinct.

“Sport and recreation help build stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities,” Cr Seymour said.

“While sport keeps us physically active, it also keeps us socially connected. It is where lasting memories are made, and fond friendships formed.”