Cr Keryn Jones.

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A DECISION whether or not to build a stadium at Stockland Park at Kawana may be made as early as next month.

Tenders for the design and construction of the long-delayed project close on February 23, a process which councillor Keryn Jones said would reveal if a state-standard sporting stadium could be built for the $10 million funding that is available.

Ms Jones said council had given up any expectation of the State Government contributing to the project, leaving it with $5 million from the Federal Government that remained available and $5 million council had set aside.

“It will depend on the response from tenders to see if we can go it alone,” she said.

“Clearly the State Government won’t assist. The building industry is slow at the moment and it will be interesting to see what could be built in the current climate.”

The Daily understands that three separate builders, each teamed with an architect, are working to deliver options.

Ms Jones said council remained committed to the construction of a first-class stadium with 1350 seats, canteen, dressing rooms, drug-testing facilities and public toilets.

She said specifications had not altered and council was keen to see what design efficiencies may emerge from the design and construct tender process.

“We will not accept a lower-standard facility,” Ms Jones said.

“We hope to have an assessment decision by the end of March. Hopefully it will be good news.

“We are still within the timelines for the federal funding of $5 million and we have the $5 million council has set aside. The question is, can we build it for that?”

Previous pricing of the project which put its cost at around $15 million had been provided by quantity surveyors.

Ms Jones estimated the project would provide 80 construction jobs and a similar number to run the venue in the long-term.

She said job provision for the local community was always at the back of councillors’ minds when considering capital works projects.

Can a state-standard sporting stadium be built at Kawana's Stockland Park with the $10 million in funding that is available?