Council gets sneak peek at Brisbane Lions’ new Ipswich home
22 June 2022
Construction of the Brisbane Lions new stadium at Springfield Central is progressing well following wet weather setbacks, with Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding and fellow councillors invited on a sneak peek tour of the $80 million project.
Mayor Harding said it was exciting to see progress of the complex since the official sod turning in May last year.
“The opportunity to see the project’s construction progress and the first-class facilities on offer was thoroughly welcomed by myself and the councillors,” Mayor Harding said.
“This facility will not only be the new home of the Brisbane Lions but will also provide Ipswich with exceptional sporting facilities and boost the region’s economic potential.”
Mayor Harding said while the boutique stadium, training and administration centre would be home of the Brisbane Lions’ champion men’s and women’s teams, it would also provide state-of-the-art facilities for a variety of local sports, clubs and the community.
The Mayor and Councillors were also joined on the tour by local business owners and investors who will benefit from the significant investment in the region.
“As the region prepares for Brisbane 2032, the timely construction of this complex will enable us to host sporting events during the Olympic Games right here in Ipswich,” Mayor Harding said.
A joint initiative of the Brisbane Lions, AFL, Ipswich City Council, Springfield City Group, and the State and Federal governments, the complex will also house important community facilities.
Despite the wet weather in February and April, the project’s construction progress is on schedule, with the stadium expected to be ready for major events in November 2022.
Division 2 Councillor Nicole Jonic said it was fantastic to see the grandstands and flood lights installed, and preparations for the grass to be laid, among other construction milestones.
“Ipswich is well known as a sports-mad city and a major sporting destination for all sports across local, state and national levels,” Cr Jonic said.
“It will be great to see the new centre’s progress in coming weeks and we look forward to seeing many national AFL games being played here from later this year and huge local support from the fans.”
Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said council’s investment of $20 million would help deliver incredible long-term value for the region’s growing economy.
“Our investment into this boutique complex is not only for AFL – it is also supporting our region for its long-term viability, to draw visitors from far and wide, provide opportunities for our bright young sporting stars and gain spin-off economic benefits for our business community,” Cr Tully said.
“This complex will enrich our budding athletes and provide an excellent home base for our local clubs and the community who want to use its world-leading facilities.”
The project is being managed by the COHA Group and the construction of the stadium is being completed by Hutchinson Builders. The stadium will be known by both its gazetted name, Springfield Central Stadium, and Brighton Homes Arena.