Things are looking rosy for users of the Pinklands sports and community precinct in Thornlands, with Council work starting on a $1.35 million upgrade.

Work slated in Council’s 2012-13 budget has been expedited for this long awaited project, which will include a new entrance, carpark upgrade and three new hard-court netball courts. Works will be staged to minimise disruption.

On Friday Mayor Karen Williams met with representatives of clubs and groups based at Pinklands to survey the works. She said Pinklands was an important hub of activity for Redlands residents, including many children who played sports there on a regular basis.

“It is home to netball, rugby league, bridge and pony clubs, not to mention country music and arts groups. And with the increasing traffic volumes along Cleveland – Redland Bay Road, many of these users have voiced safety concerns about the entry and car park.

“Council has listened to community concerns and I believe it is important to provide safe places for our young people to be active and connect,” the Mayor said.

The Pinklands works follow the upgrade and installation of traffic lights at three intersections along Cleveland – Redland Bay Road.

“Council worked with the Department of Main Roads to ensure the new Dinwoodie Road intersection would integrate with a new signalised entrance to Pinklands,” Mayor Williams said

The new Dinwoodie Road entrance will be linked via service access to the existing Pinklands entrance, which will be become a secondary left-in, left-out access to the precinct.

A 190-bay sealed car park, including five bays for persons with disabilities, will extend and replace the current informal graded car park.

Three new hard-court netball courts will be added to the existing six, making Pinklands a more attractive venue for a range of events including Netball Queensland endorsed events.