Firstly, please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in providing you with an update regarding the Pickleball Court Project. We understand how important this development is to our community, and we truly appreciate your patience and ongoing support throughout what has been a long and complex journey.
We are excited to now share where things stand—and just as importantly, the significant effort, persistence, and challenges that have been overcome to reach this point.
Back in November 2023, the Mooloolaba Tennis Club submitted a grant application to the State Government for $250,000 to construct eight new pickleball courts. This was a major step forward in our vision to grow the club and provide more opportunities for our members and the wider community.
In April 2024, we were initially unsuccessful in the first round of funding announcements. While disappointing, this led to a valuable feedback process and the commencement of a broader site Masterplan to strengthen our proposal.
In June 2024, we were thrilled to be successful in the second round of funding. However, this success came with its own challenge, as we had to forgo a separate $100,000 funding pledge due to timing constraints around funding deadlines. Despite this setback, we remained committed to pushing forward.
From August 2024 onward, the project entered a far more complex phase than originally anticipated. During initial meetings with key stakeholders, we were advised that environmental considerations—specifically the presence of endangered trees on the site—required detailed investigation. This triggered the need for a comprehensive Flora Study before we could proceed further.
Shortly after, in September 2024, it was confirmed that the project would require a full Development Application due to it being classified as a Material Change of Use. This significantly increased the scope, cost, and timeline of the project.
Between September and December 2024, the club engaged a full professional team—including a Project Manager, Town Planner, Engineers, and Environmental Consultants—to prepare the necessary studies and designs. This was followed by a pre-lodgement meeting with Council in January 2025, where additional requirements were identified, including a Traffic Management Study to assess parking impacts.
From February through to mid-2025, further reports, engineering designs, and documentation were completed and submitted. The Development Application then underwent an extensive Council assessment process, including additional site meetings and design revisions—particularly around stormwater management requirements.
In November 2025, we finally received Development Approval—a major milestone and a testament to the persistence of everyone involved.
However, another significant challenge emerged during the tender process. Initial construction quotes received in December 2025 came in well over budget. Over the following months, the project team worked tirelessly to revise designs, reduce scope where possible, and re-tender the project. While improved, costs have remained higher than originally anticipated.
Despite these financial challenges, the club has continued to push forward. In March 2026, we successfully secured $98,000 in additional funding, and have submitted further funding requests which are currently pending. Importantly, the club has also made the significant commitment to increase its own financial contribution from $67,000 to $202,000 to ensure the project can proceed and meet funding deadlines.
This journey has not been simple. It has involved setbacks, regulatory hurdles, financial challenges, and extensive planning—but throughout it all, the vision has remained the same: to deliver a high-quality facility that benefits our members, supports the growth of pickleball, and strengthens the future of our club.
We are now closer than ever to making this project a reality.
Thank you again for your patience, your support, and your belief in what we are building together. We look forward to sharing further updates with you as we move into the next exciting phase.
Warm regards,
Mooloolaba Tennis Club and KT Academy