A new $2.99 million clubhouse at Jim Donald Parklands has been officially opened.
The home for the Brothers Ipswich Cricket Club and Raceview Soccer Club was funded by the Ipswich City Council to the tune of $2.09 million with an additional $900,000 from the Queensland Government.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Ipswich City Council is committed to providing quality sporting infrastructure for our rapidly growing city.
“Council is investing heavily in the city’s future, with $2.09 million for this clubhouse and an additional $9.7 million for parks, sports and the environment across this financial year,” Mayor Harding said.
“The clubhouse is more than just a sporting facility. It will become a key asset for the entire neighbourhood and has come just at the right time for this growing community.
“This clubhouse isn’t just a physical investment by council in bricks and mortar infrastructure. Sport adds so much more to our community, building connections across our city and keeping people active and healthy.”
The new clubhouse has a 200-person capacity and includes a canteen, club and function room, covered outdoor space, changing rooms, officials’ rooms, first aid room, amenities, storage facilities and player dugouts to the top fields.
L-R Councillor Andrew Antoniolli, Raceview Soccer Club President Billy Diehm, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard, Councillor Marnie Doyle, Councillor Pye Augustine, and Brothers Cricket Club President Leo Conway at the official opening of the new clubhouse.
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said the clubhouse had been constructed with accessibility in mind.
“There is wheelchair access to bathrooms and all parts of the clubhouse, with accessible pathways connecting the clubhouse to Napier Circuit and the Grange Road car park,” Cr Doyle said.
“The clubhouse will also provide a new space for the clubs and other community organisations to host meetings and events.”
Division 3 Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the clubhouse would enhance the rich sporting history of the area.
“Council remains committed to developing infrastructure in Division 3 that will inspire future generations of players to potentially develop into the next generation of Australian sportsmen and women,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“The new clubhouse is ready in time for another exciting football season and I’m looking forward to cheering on the Raceview Soccer Club teams as they run out at this new facility.”
Raceview Soccer Club chairman Billy Diehm said the clubhouse had come at just the right time for the club after two years of record growth.
“We have just had a record sign on period and will be starting the season with 550 players and 41 teams. The club has grown by more than 100 players this year, so the clubhouse has arrived at just the right time,” Mr Diehm said.
“It is a fantastic resource and will allow us to better connect with the local community. Soccer is what brings us together and connect with people and those friendships then allow us to do additional work within the wider community.
“We always say we are more than a soccer club; we are a community club, and the new clubhouse will be central to the work we do. We are looking forward to the organised chaos that will surround it on day one of the season.”
The project cost $2.99 million in total, with $2.09 million from Ipswich City Council and $900,000 from the Queensland Government as a 2020 election commitment that the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport assisted to deliver.
