Western Spirit Football Club is back to full strength at the Camira Recreation Reserve with new change rooms and facilities completed after an arson attack at the club.
Deputy Mayor and Division 2 Councillor Nicole Jonic said the rebuild was necessary after the reserve’s facilities were damaged by fire.
“The original demountable change rooms, built in 2003, were destroyed in a senseless act of arson in December 2023,” Cr Jonic said.
“This rebuild has replaced change rooms for the home and away sides, a referee room, showers, toilets, and a connecting pathway to the main clubhouse.
“Anyone who has played sport at any level will know how vital it is to have these facilities available, so it was important that Western Spirit FC had new facilities to support their popular club.”
Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said the majority of the costs for the rebuild was covered by insurance.
“Council funded a few minor improvements to the facilities such as landscaping, a new security system and an automatic door to assist people living with disabilities,” Cr Tully said.
“Western Spirit FC is full of passionate players, staff and supporters and it has been difficult for the club to manage without these vital facilities for so long.
“I am pleased that the facilities are now rebuilt, and that the club can get back to doing what it does best – play football – instead of having to make do with temporary facilities.”
Western Spirit FC president AJ Varkevisser said the new facilities were an important step for the club.
“Two years ago, our home was destroyed by arson, and since then more than 500 of our players have trained here with temporary toilets and no change rooms,” Mr Varkevisser said.
“These upgrades — alongside our own club‑funded refurbishment of the clubhouse — mean we can finally bring Dale Road back to life as our primary training base and social hub for juniors, seniors, our three Masters teams and Ipswich’s only Walking Football program.
“As Football Queensland’s Community Club of the Year, a Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Lifestyle Award winner, and Ipswich Sports Awards finalist, we’re proud of the role we play in this community.
“The completion of these facilities, and the further enhancements planned, is a testament to our club’s ambition and to Ipswich City Council’s genuine commitment to community sport.
“We’re incredibly grateful for their support in rebuilding a place our whole community can call home.”
Also read:
>> Brand-new South Ripley sports oval looks for clubs to call it home
>> Almost 35,000 people get moving with Active and Healthy Program