If you’ve spent time at The Clubhouse Moorooka over the last few years, you know one thing stands out in conversations: the need for shade. Our outdoor space is where memories are made—kids playing on the grass, friends catching up, and community events bringing us all together. But Brisbane’s sun can be intense, and shade has been one of the most commonly requested improvements from members and visitors.
We're thrilled to share the latest on our Outdoor Facility Shade Project, a community-driven effort proudly funded by the Queensland Government through the Department of Sport, Racing, Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Why Shade Matters to Our Community
Shade is about much more than protection from the sun. It helps shape how our community uses the space and how comfortable people feel spending time outdoors.
The Clubhouse Moorooka's outdoor green has become a popular place for outdoor dining, casual socialising, family time, children's play, community events and everyday catch-ups with friends. Through the community survey, members told us that lack of shade most commonly affects their willingness to use the space during the afternoon and middle of the day, particularly during Brisbane's warmer months.
Since local volunteers reopened the former Moorooka Bowls Club as a community-led space in 2021, providing additional shade has consistently featured in discussions about future improvements. Creating a more comfortable outdoor environment supports our broader goal of making The Clubhouse Moorooka a welcoming place for connection, recreation and community life.
How Your Feedback Shaped the Project
Earlier this year, we invited volunteers, members, and patrons to participate in our Outdoor Shade Concept Design Survey.
The results provided valuable guidance about how the community wants the space to function in the future. Survey responses highlighted that:
Outdoor dining and drinks, casual socialising and family activities are the most important uses of the green.
Consistent shade throughout different times of the day was considered the most important factor when assessing design options.
Members also placed significant value on maintaining the open atmosphere of the green, and preserving the flexibility of the space for community activities.
The feedback also showed that people care deeply about preserving the character of The Clubhouse Moorooka. Community members highlighted the importance of retaining open lawn areas, supporting children's play, maintaining the relaxed atmosphere of the site and ensuring any new infrastructure complements the space rather than changing what people already love about it.
What We’re Working On Now
The project is currently progressing through design concept selection and development.
Our focus is identifying a solution that balances a number of important priorities, including:
Providing meaningful and consistent shade coverage.
Supporting year-round outdoor community use.
Maintaining the open feel and flexibility of the green.
Preserving space for recreation, family activities and events.
Maximising value for money within the available project funding.
Delivering a durable, low-maintenance solution that will serve the community well into the future.
Community feedback played an important role in evaluating potential concepts and ensuring the final design reflects how people use and enjoy the space today and into the future. Being such a multi-use community venue, finding a design solution that most people can support (even if it is not their first preference) has been a key focus of the project.
What’s Next for The Clubhouse Moorooka Shade Project
Project Status
✅ Community consultation completed
✅ Design concept selection completed
🔄 Detailed design, approvals and procurement during 2026
🚧 Construction planned for 2027
Throughout 2026, the project team will continue working through design development, approvals, procurement planning and the other pre-construction requirements necessary before construction can begin.
We look forward to sharing more information about the final design concept as soon as we are able to do so!
Construction is currently planned for 2027, following completion of detailed design work and required approvals. While we know many people are excited to see the project delivered, taking the time to carefully work through design requirements will help ensure the final outcome is something that serves our community for many years to come.
Funding Acknowledgement
The Clubhouse Moorooka gratefully acknowledges the support of the Queensland Government through the Department of Sport, Racing, Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Outdoor Facility Shade Project (PJ-0759983) is funded through the Queensland Government's 2024 Election Commitment program and is supporting the design and delivery of new shade infrastructure for the Clubhouse outdoor green. The project will help create a cooler, more welcoming and more comfortable community space for current and future users of the facility.
