The State Government (Queensland) has formally approved the exciting new masterplan for Ballymore Stadium (Australia), paving the way for a new home of Queensland rugby.
The ‘RUGBY.COM.AU’ stated that under the masterplan, Ballymore will be transformed into a high-performance sports and wellbeing precinct that is home to two Olympic sports – rugby and sport climbing.
The 18,000-capacity Ballymore is a rugby union stadium situated in Herston, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. It is the headquarters of Queensland Rugby Union and the home ground of the Brisbane City team in the National Rugby Championship.
The ‘RUGBY.COM.AU’ further stated that the approvals mean construction of the centerpiece $30 million National Rugby Training Centre (NRTC) and the new McLean Stand will begin next month. The NRTC will be the national headquarters of women’s rugby and the national Wallaroos (Australia women’s national rugby union team) team, as well as a new elite training center for the Queensland Reds (rugby union team for the Australian State of Queensland).
The new McLean Stand, which is integrated into the NRTC, will have a 3010-person capacity and will provide modern corporate and function facilities.
The masterplan features a swim school and a center of excellence for sport climbing – the newest Olympic sport – to the rear of the 25m-high Eastern Stand.
The Queensland Rugby Union has also secured Government approval to build three new buildings on Ballymore, with a total of 5000m2 reserved for sports administration, sports recreation, allied health, and sports medicine.
The Queensland Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Hanham said the masterplan sets rugby in Queensland up for a sustainable future – “We see Ballymore as the center of Brisbane’s Silicon Valley of sport and well-being – a place where Olympians can train and compete in a world-class facility. The ability to generate an income from parts of Ballymore means we can offset the almost $1 million annual cost of maintaining the precinct – putting that money back into our core business – Grassroots Rugby and the Queensland Reds.”
Added Hanham, “There has already been significant interest from allied health providers to be part of Ballymore, which is only a short walk from the Herston Quarter health precinct. We are also in discussions for a 25m swim school pool and what we think will be the Olympic Centre of Excellence for Sport Climbing. Ballymore has been nominated as an Olympic venue and while there is still significant work to be done, the approval of the masterplan is a first step towards that goal.”
The head honcho continued, “With the growth of women’s and men’s elite sport and community sport, Ballymore can provide a cost-effective and central venue option for Brisbane, as well as continuing to be the home of our Hospital Cup finals and community game.”
The Ballymore masterplan has been approved under the State’s Ministerial Infrastructure Designation process.
Ballymore masterplan
- National Rugby Training Centre;
- Home of the Queensland Reds and Wallaroos;
- 700m2 gym and hydrotherapy center;
- 3010-capacity integrated grandstand;
- 75-seat auditorium;
- 120-person capacity function room;
- 25m swim school;
- 10,000m2 Olympic Centre of Excellence for Sport Climbing;
- 20m high outdoor walls for speed and lead climbing;
- Boulder climbing area;
- Public parkland/viewing area;
- Three new sports administration, sports recreation, allied health, and sports medicine buildings;
- 5,000m2 approved; and
- Revitalized parks and barbecue (BBQ) areas.
The Ballymore masterplan was developed by Blight Rayner architects and RPS Town Planning.
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