This year’s round of the Queensland Government’s Get Playing Plus program has wrapped up with the new Caboolture Sports Football Club project receiving funding of $1.5 million.

Treasurer and Minister for Sport, Curtis Pitt, said this round saw 16 Queensland clubs and 25 councils share in almost $40 million worth of total funding.

“These are exciting projects and I look forward to seeing the new, improved and replacement infrastructure that will create more sport and recreation opportunities for locals,” Mr Pitt said.

$1.5 million in funding will go towards an estimated $5.7 million project to construct three senior football fields, player and coach boxes, goal posts, scoreboard, field fencing, water storage, irrigation and lighting and bulk earthworks for an additional three fields (for a total of six fields) at the Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, Burpengary.

State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, said that the project would directly benefit the Caboolture Sports Football Club, who will eventually relocate their home grounds to the new fields.

“This is a great win for the local community and the benefits for local sport are immense,” Mr Ryan said.

“Caboolture Sports Football Club are one of the biggest local sporting clubs and have been looking for a new permanent home field for almost a decade. This funding will get them closer to realising that dream.”

Mr Pitt said Get Playing Plus was one of four programs which form the Get in the Game initiative to support grassroots sport and recreation.

“This initial round of Get Playing Plus has proven very successful, which has been terrific to see, with community organisations keen to grow and develop sport and recreation facilities to ensure they have the infrastructure in place to encourage Queenslanders to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

“These projects are relatively large scale with funding contributions of between $300,000 and $1.5 million made available for new sport and recreation infrastructure or to improve upon existing locations.

“There is also the added benefit of employment opportunities when projects of this scale take place which is great news, especially for regional and rural Queensland.

“It’s always a pleasure to work with clubs, organisations, local councils and government to help improve facilities for members and the local community.

“Our goal is to ensure more Queenslanders are getting outdoors, staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he said.