THE official opening of the Edmonton Leisure Centre today gives the southern Cairns suburb a multi-purpose sports centre that doubles as a cyclone shelter.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, said the centre had created a community hub where residents of the fast-growing suburb could gather for sports, community events and other activities.
“It also doubles as a cyclone shelter, providing a safe haven for 1,500 people in the event of a disaster,” Mr Truss said.
“It has been located away from predicted storm surge and flood risk areas, is strong enough for the worst category of tropical cyclone and has a back-up power supply.”
The Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, said the centre was a fine example of three levels of government working together to provide much-needed sporting and community infrastructure along with protection in a case of a natural disaster or emergency situation.
“The $14.6 million project was built through a contribution of $1.5 million by the Australian Government, $5 million by the Queensland Government in partnership with the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and $8.1 million from the Cairns Regional Council,” Mr Entsch said.
“It has two multi-purpose indoor sports courts catering for netball, basketball, volleyball, boxing, and the indoor soccer game of futsal.
“This is a wonderful centre for family sports and leisure activities, improving the quality of life of Edmonton residents.”
Construction of the centre created 55 direct jobs and 58 indirect jobs, and the centre’s operation has created 10 permanent jobs.
