Ipswich’s sport and entertainment future is looking bright following a major new announcement at the home of rugby league in Ipswich.
Speaking at North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding outlined the next steps in the venue’s transition to become the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct.
Mayor Harding shared designs for a revitalised North Ipswich Reserve with the crowd at half-time in the match between the Ipswich Jets and the Tweed Seagulls on Sunday.
“The Ipswich Jets were sitting fourth in the Queensland Rugby League ladder going into the weekend round, but this announcement is about taking Ipswich into first position as a major sport and entertainment destination,” Mayor Harding said.
“I’m delighted to announce that designs have now been completed for the upgrade and Council will go out to tender to find a suitable construction partner for the new 2000-seat western grandstand.
“The North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct project, Stage 1, which is jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland Governments and Ipswich City Council, is set to be complete by late 2027.”
Tim Mander, Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games, was delighted to see the next steps taken on the North Ipswich Reserve.
“The Crisafulli Government knows that to attract world-class sporting events, we need to invest in world-class facilities,” Minister Mander said.
“The upgrades at the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct will open up new opportunities for the region to host professional sporting teams and events and attract athletes to train and compete here.
“I’m excited to see how this new facility will drive participation in sports including rugby league, rugby union and soccer, while creating a lasting resource for the whole community to enjoy.”
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Cr Andrew Antoniolli said the announcement would give Ipswich a national-standard sport and entertainment precinct, anchored around a boutique rectangular stadium.
“There will be improved field lighting, and improved player facilities and an improved function room,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“This will mean the new western grandstand will be able to host state and local sporting competition games in the rectangular format.
“It will also be able to be scaled up to host one-off premium sporting, recreational, cultural and entertainment events.”
Stage 1 will include demolition of the existing grandstand and construction of a new western grandstand of 2000-seat capacity, including male and female dressing rooms with toilets and showers for home and away teams, upgraded public amenities and public spaces, a media room and function room for at least 130 guests.
Future stages will include a northern grandstand, improvements to the eastern and southern embankments, improvements to Len Johnson Oval and better access to the city.
Mayor Harding thanked all levels of government for the collaborative approach taken to getting the project off the ground.
“Getting to today has been a big investment by council, and by the State and Federal governments. I want to thank the Federal Government for its $20 million contribution to support this development, matched by $10 million each from the State and Ipswich City Council,” Mayor Harding said.
“Today’s announcement is a major step in the sporting and entertainment life of this city, but also its economic prospects as we look to use the new grandstand to attract more artists and sporting teams to our city.”
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