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Community benefits from university projects
28 April 2007
The University continues to develop plans for infrastructure projects that will benefit the whole of the regional community, not just staff and students of the University itself.
As everyone knows, we have for some years had an international standard athletics track which is much more extensively used by the general community than by the University. The same is true of the Art Gallery.
Within a few months the new Stadium will be ready, and will provide a venue for key indoor sports. It will be used by both Chancellor College and the University, but it was also always intended to be for extensive community use, principally for sports, but also major social events, because it can accommodate over 3,000 people. We will certainly want to use it for graduation ceremonies from 2008, to increase the opportunities for students to get more tickets for family and friends to attend.
A swimming pool has re-emerged as a possibility in recent months with Maroochy Shire Council proposing a $1.5M grant, if certain conditions are met.
We are confident of State Government support but are still pursuing a major contribution from the Commonwealth Government. If there are suggestions about other sources, we would also welcome those.
Since the Pool was first costed, the sum involved has moved from $3.2M to $5.0M, and the University alone cannot carry the gap, as well as $250,000 p.a. operating costs. Hence, a good deal more fundraising has to be accomplished for our vital Health-Sports tower to stand alongside the Stadium, and then for the Pool.
The University is keen not to proliferate more of the same, and in the case of the Stadium-Tower-Pool, we want to ensure linkages with research. This will mean the advancement of health and sport rather than just providing simply, venues.
This linkage between knowledge, research and infrastructure projects, is the key point of difference between facilities at Sippy Downs and those provided in the past across the region. This approach benefits the whole community, whether young or old, an elite athlete or a casual participant.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor of University of the Sunshine Coast.