Council awards contract to upgrade popular sports park

Redland City Council has appointed a contractor to complete planned upgrades to Charlie Buckler Memorial Sporting Fields at Redland Bay, with preliminary works expected to commence in August 2023 and be completed by mid-2024.

Mayor Karen Williams said the upgrade project would bring a raft of benefits for tenant sporting clubs and the wider Redlands Coast community.

“It is so exciting to see this project kick off, knowing the benefits that will soon be realised for the tenant clubs – Southern Bay Cyclones Rugby Union, Redland Sharks Cricket Club, and Redland Bay Tennis Club – as well as local residents and community groups,” Cr Williams said.

“The upgrade will see a new clubhouse, more car parks, reconfigured fields that will improve drainage across the site, new practice cricket nets, a new dog off-leash area, new pathways and safer site entry.

“The new clubhouse is set to become a wonderful community asset. Designed to meet the sport-specific requirements of both rugby union and cricket, it will also house a bookable multi-purpose space that other community members and groups can use.

“When complete, the sports park will play an important role in meeting the sport and recreation needs of existing and new residents in this high-growth part of our city.”

Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty said the upgrade would bring a new lease of life to the popular community sports park.

“The revamped Charlie Buckler Sports Fields will not only be fit for purpose, but ready to support our community now and for many years into the future,” she said.

“The facilities will be sustainable from environmental, maintenance and operational perspectives – a true reflection of Council’s commitment to delivering high-value, intergenerational projects.

“I would like to commend and thank the tenant clubs who have provided input during planning.”