AusLeisure

Sunshine Coast Regional Council has changed the way that it manages one of its major venues - Stockland Park.

The 45 hectare precinct, which includes the Kawana Aquatic Centre, the Western Fields, Lake Kawana and Stockland Stadium, has been handed back to the Sunshine Coast Council from management company, Quad Park Corporation. (Quad Park Corporation was a Corporations Law company established by the previous Caloundra City Council in 1999 and of which Sunshine Coast Regional Council is the only shareholder.)

Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson, said the decision to wind-up the company would allow for a more strategic, planned and coordinated approach to the region's sports and recreation facilities.

Mayor Jamieson explained "there are a lot of big things happening in the region at the moment especially in the Kawana area which is on the cusp of an unprecedented level of public and private investment.

"The change in the governance model for Stockland Park will assist council in ensuring this major sports precinct is fully integrated into the planning and delivery of the Kawana Town Centre and associated investments in which council, other levels of government and other key partners are involved, including the $1.8 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital planned for completion in 2016.

"It will also provide opportunities to improve planning for and delivery of a more coordinated approach to recreation and sporting venue management across the region.

"This change follows a period in which the facility grew through the excellent work of the staff and volunteer board members who have overseen the precinct's operations since 1999."

Quad Park Corporation Board Chair, Leanne Layfield, said Stockland Park has become a high class, multi-purpose facility, of which the Sunshine Coast can be proud, stating "the facility has become a valuable part of the community, delivering high quality entertainers such as Cold Chisel which attracted 15,000 fans in 2012, and major sporting events like the Queensland Reds match held only this weekend.

"2012 was an extremely busy and exciting year for Stockland Park with only one weekend out of 52 without an event.

"The precinct now regularly hosts regional, state and national competitions in the stadium and on the lake. There's the Nitro Circus event happening in May which will be massive and further announcements are in the wind.

"It's a massive change from its humble grass-roots beginnings and I am very proud of its success.

"I'd like to thank and acknowledge the dedication and leadership of fellow outgoing Board members Jacinta Creedy, Ray Turner, Charlie Eames and former member, Don Smith.

"I also would like to thank the hardworking and committed staff and wish them every success for the future."

Sunshine Coast Regional Council inherited a number of Corporation Law Companies at the time of amalgamation. The decision to review these Corporation Law companies was identified in 2010 as part of an external audit of council's operations.

The reviews allow Council to make decisions about these governance models based on current, post amalgamation needs, which are focused on a regional, strategic approach to managing council assets and services.

For more information go to www.stocklandpark.com.au

10th October 2012 - BRITISH LIONS TO BREAK ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

21st October 2010 - CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON STOCKLAND PARK’S NEW GRANDSTAND

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