SWEET LAUNCH: Big Pineapple general manager Brendan Weatherill, owner Roger Lago, Mayor Mark Jamieson and owner Peter Kendall at last night’s launch.
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Big Pineapple tourist attraction
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Big Pineapple function centre
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IT’S officially pineapple season.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson re-opened the Big Pineapple function centre Thursday night after the Woombye tourist attraction was revitalised this year.
The heritage-listed landmark opened in 1971, but shut its doors in 2010.
For Big Pineapple general manager Brendan Weatherill there-opening was a poignant time, professionally and personally.
“My great grandfather owned the property adjoining the Big Pineapple. It was a dairy farm,” he said.
“I’ve had family work here since the beginning and I’ve always had visits as a child right through.
“Now I’m aiming to make it a place I can take my children.
“The Big Pineapple is seen as everyone’s icon. Everyone has some affiliation with it.”
Mr Weatherill said his long-term vision was for the Big Pineapple to become an events hub.
“We will be using the venue and its facilities to cater for various events, functions, charity events, weddings, corporate functions and also growing our already strong Big Pineapple markets,” he said.
“In the past three months we’ve been working extensively getting everything up and running.
“Not only with the function centre, we’ve got the train into operation, renovated the Pineapple itself, as well as other projects we’ve got in the pipeline on the premises.
“We’re looking at the Big Pineapple growing with the community as a part of it and using the venue for bigger and better entertainment for everyone to enjoy, such as the music festival in May 2013.”
Mr Weatherill said they would also launch a Sunday market on July 29 to complement the popular Saturday market.
“It will be a weekend-long market, promoting the biggest all-weather market,” he said.
“It will be similar traders and additional traders with a focus on the Sunday market being the Sunday fiesta markets.”