Badminton, bowls and basketball groups are among a host of community groups to gain a healthy boost as part of Sunshine Coast Council's latest funding allocation.
The Community Grants Program supports eligible not-for-profit community groups with grants of up to $15,000 for projects and events, and up to $30,000 for infrastructure projects.
The latest round attracted 194 applications with $719,631 allocated to 130 projects.
Strong Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said that this would help a variety of groups create even better facilities and enhanced experiences for their members.
"From upgrades to sports surfaces to restoring Cyclone damaged facilities and providing better lighting and improved storage, the funds will be an enormous help,'' Cr Law said.
"These groups and their committed volunteers play a vital role in keeping our community active, healthy and connected.''
One of the grant recipients this round was the Sunshine Coast Badminton Association.
Established more than 50 years ago, the association now has around 300 members, including seniors, juniors, and school groups.
Association secretary Kevin Northcote said the funding would go to improving safety and elevating the Badminton Centre in Nambour to national standards ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
"Our current mats shift during play, creating tripping hazards that require constant volunteer maintenance, this funding will allow us to replace the aging roll-out mats with a new, professional-grade, full-floor surface," Mr Northcote said.
"This is our first major grant for facility improvement, and new flooring will also mean we can host higher-level competitions and training, including Queensland tournaments.
"Upgrading our facilities will be a game-changer for our community, especially our senior members who rely on the centre to stay active and socially connected.
"We absolutely encourage others to apply."
Major facility projects that each received $20,000 each:
- Sunshine Coast Badminton Association - Full-floor professional-grade surface upgrade.
- Buderim Bowls Club - Restoration of cyclone-damaged front green.
- Baringa Football Club - Installation of lighting on Fields 2 and 3.
- Sunshine Coast Motorcycle Club - Construction of a 20x10m storage shed.
- Maroochydore Eagles Basketball Association - New 3-bay storage shed and electronic scoreboard.
- Nambour Rugby League Club - Replacement of flood-damaged lighting with energy-efficient LEDs.
Other community projects funded include:
- Food and Agribusiness Network - Taste of Queensland trade show.
Awarded $10,000 - Hinterland Cue Sports Association - Equipment purchase of 3 competition-grade pool tables.
Awarded $5,000 - Montville Village Association - Concept design for Montville War Memorial Garden.
Awarded $4,500 - Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance - Market research for 'The Refinery' brand.
Awarded $6,700 - Bats Theatre Company - Wireless headsets and laptop for sound quality.
Awarded $1,282 - Connect Rugby League- Inclusive beach volleyball pilot program.
Awarded $5,000 - Sunshine Coast Kerala Association - Community event to celebrate a cultural festival from the Indian state of Kerala. Awarded $4,000.
Council encourages not-for-profit community groups to consider applying for future grant rounds.
For the full list of grant recipients, as well as information on all of Council's grants and when to apply, visit Council's website.
