The Gold Coast SUNS and Kool Beanz Academy have officially turned soil on a brand new state-of-the-art childcare facility at Metricon Stadium.

In partnership with Autism Queensland, Kool Beanz Academy will pioneer a new model for integrated childcare with a state of the art 13,000sqm development located at the home of the Gold Coast SUNS.

With Alder Constructions set to commence the $10 million development this week, Kool Beanz Owner Bruce Coulson, GC SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans, Acting Gold Coast City Mayor Donna Gates and Autism Queensland General Manager of Education Support and Therapy Services, Jen Catts were on site to conduct the ceremonial first dig.

Opening mid-2022, the cutting-edge facility will create roughly 45 jobs, as well as supporting the childcare needs of the local community. 

Construction of the new facility will see the Gold Coast SUNS continue its mission to have a meaningful impact throughout the Gold Coast community.

GC SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans took the opportunity to thank Mr Coulson for his efforts in bringing the project to life and was excited by the partnership moving forward.

“We’ve had a strong partnership with KKTC and Bruce for a number of years and turning soil on Kool Beanz SUNS, will only continue to see that partnership flourish for many years to come,” Mr Evans said.

“I want to publicly thank Bruce for his commitment and drive to deliver this project and his on-going support of the Club.”

“Since our inception we’ve strived to mean more to our community than just the Gold Coast’s AFL team. We want to have a lasting impact on the next generation of talented children growing up on the Gold Coast and hopefully both on and off the football field.”

“We’re excited about the opportunities that lay ahead with this state-of-the-art facility and it’s integration with the Gold Coast SUNS and Autism Queensland.

Evans also thanked the Qld State Government and Stadiums Queensland for the integral role they had played in bringing this project to life over a number of years.

“They have been working to facilitate opportunities for stadium operators throughout the state to provide greater benefit to their community and this project will definitely do that for the Gold Coast.”

“I’d like to personally thank Stadiums Queensland for their guidance and support throughout the entire project.”

Number one ticket holder for the Gold Coast SUNS and founder and owner of Kool Beanz Academy, Bruce Coulson has been in the childcare industry for over 16 years.

With a solid reputation as a high quality, safe, professional and child centred provider he is taking this to a new level with the development of Kool Beanz SUNS.

His experience in the industry has motivated him to develop a centre like no other, a unique initiative providing an inclusive childcare environment for all children including those with additional needs. 

“This project has been more than 5 years in the making, researching leading operators worldwide, gathering inspiration and ideas to ensure we are creating a first-class service. 

“We look forward to partnering with both the Gold Coast SUNS and Autism Queensland to further solidify this project as a unique learning environment for children never seen before,” Mr Coulson said.

Whether your child is starting school next year or a few years’ time, consider giving them a head start by sending them to a childcare centre that provides high-quality early childhood education in a fun, caring and supportive environment. 

The centre is designed for 203 enrolments with up to 30 of these spaces specifically for children requiring extra care. Autism Queensland will work in partnership with Kool Beanz Academy to support the inclusion of children in the centre and will also provide assessment and therapy services for older children in co-located premises.

Autism Queensland sees the partnership as an exciting opportunity for both organisations and Gold Coast families of children on the autism spectrum.

Jen Catts, General Manager Education Support and Therapy Services, said demand for specialist supports for children on the spectrum continues to grow every year.

“To know we are providing another opportunity for families to access evidence-informed early childhood assessment and therapy services that will help their children now and into the future is wonderful,“ Catts said.

The centre will feature 13 classrooms and ancillary facilities as well as an art room, library, LEGO room and master chef kitchen. A large auditorium will host spectators for stage performances, presentations and graduations allowing our families to be involved in the most important events of their children’s early years.

The inclusive outdoor space focuses on nature with an environment likened to a lush rainforest with the addition of over 150 trees, 1200 shrubs and a walk-through aviary. 

A running creek will flow through the grounds for water play as well as Old MacDonald’s Farm, with animals for the children to learn to look after.  Vegetable gardens will provide the perfect environment for sustainable learning as well as grow seasonal produce to be used in the children’s food menus. It will be an ever-changing and free-flowing environment that stimulates all the senses.

Kool Beanz Academy focuses on helping children be prepared for school both socially and emotionally with programs developed specifically to meet the individual interests and developmental needs of each child.  They truly believe the benefits of an early childhood education can last a lifetime.

“This new development will also be an amazing environment for the hundreds of new entrant students that our partner college – KKTC (RTO 40636) trains here on the Gold Coast every year. We will be able to offer these future students’ vocational hours in a childcare environment where they can learn on the job in a state-of-the-art centre. There will be nothing like it,” Mr Coulson said.

Kool Beanz Academy currently operate six childcare centres across Northern NSW, offering the highest quality care and education to the local communities of Casuarina, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby, Byron Bay and Suffolk Park. 

Click here to register your interest in the Kool Beanz SUNS Childcare Facility.