Logan City can proudly claim the best indoor sporting facility in the state with the official opening of the Logan Metro Indoor Sports Centre at Crestmead today.
The $17 million complex boasts three international-standard courts, retractable seating for 1500, fixed seating for 500, a Sports House, state-of-the-art gymnasium and cardio centre, meeting rooms, commercial kitchen and child minding facilities.
State Member for Logan and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable John Mickel, conducted the official opening.
Logan City Mayor, Councillor Pam Parker, said Logan Metro Indoor Sports Centre, which will be the focal point of the Logan Metro Sports Park Precinct, was the largest project undertaken by Council's Community Facilities Branch.
''The development is a sign that Logan has come of age,'' she said.
''What we have here is the realisation of a long-held dream for many within Council and the wider Logan community - the delivery of a world-class sporting facility for the people of Logan City. There is no other centre like this in Queensland.
''As the sixth largest council in Australia, Logan and its residents were in need of a sporting facility that would support them on the path to achieving their sporting potential as well as cater to those that want to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.
''Logan Metro Indoor Sports Centre is that facility.''
Cr Parker said the complex was made possible with a $5 million allocation from the state government as part of the Q150 celebrations.
''This project has ticked all the boxes for us here in Council - it was built on time, on budget and interest from the community and sporting groups has exceeded expectations,'' she said.
Premier Anna Bligh attended the media launch on Tuesday 8 September and applauded Council's commitment to deliver quality facilities to its residents.
''It is wonderful to work in partnership with Mayor Pam Parker and a Council that is so enthusiastic about its city and so committed to working to improve it and the surrounding region,'' she said.
'''As part of our Q150 celebrations, we wanted to make funding available so we could give councils the opportunity to build something that would play an important role in their future.
''Logan was one of the councils that went way above matching our funding; they put in $12 million to the government's - so well done.
''What you have here is a first class building, a building that is absolutely state-of-the-art and has been built in a very smart way in that it is energy and water efficient - so I commend all of those involved in its construction.
''This is so much more than a building. Buildings like this have a unique ability to bring communities together and I am sure that is exactly what will happen here.
''The people of Logan will be the major beneficiaries of this and can I say, enjoy it - you deserve this. I look forward to coming back here and seeing many more wonderful things happen in this city.''
Health, Sport and Community Services Committee Chairperson Councillor Phil Pidgeon, said the centre had the potential to attract state, national and international court-based sporting events to Logan City.
''It is already home to our own Women's National Basketball League team, the BDS Logan Thunder, and I am confident we will be seeing a lot more elite sportsmen and women on show here in the near future,'' he said.
''It is great to see Australia's world champion netballers, the Diamonds, out here road testing the courts in preparation for this Sunday's Trans-Tasman Test against New Zealand.
''Local sporting groups have already jumped at the chance to host their regular events and competitions here - this is going to be a real asset to the whole community.''
Councillor Cherie Dalley (Division 8) said Logan Metro Indoor Sports Centre was expected to be making a positive financial return within five years.
''That is exceptional news for us - to be able to not only offer a world-class sporting facility but have it making a positive financial contribution in such a short time is remarkable,'' she said.