New clubhouse helps develop future Ipswich cricket and soccer talent
07 November 2023
A new $2.99 million clubhouse at Jim Donald Parklands has been completed in a major boost for Ipswich cricket and soccer players.
The fields surrounding the new clubhouse are home to the Brothers Ipswich Cricket Club and the Raceview Soccer Club.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the building showed council’s commitment to sports and infrastructure.
“Council is investing heavily in the city’s future, with $2.09 million for this clubhouse, and an overall
$9.7 million for parks, sports and the environment in this financial year,” Mayor Harding said.
“These facilities are for our community to enjoy and I know the Brothers Ipswich Cricket Club and the Raceview Soccer Club’s players will enjoy using the new clubhouse.
“This clubhouse isn’t just an investment in physical structures and equipment, because we know sport brings so much more to our community, building connections and inclusion across our multicultural city and keeps people active and healthy.”
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said the clubhouse had a 200 person capacity.
“This 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,” Cr Tully said.
“These great facilities will help the clubs grow for many years into the future.”
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said works 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.
“Future works also include the connection of a new footpath from Napier Circuit along the lower fields through to the existing facilities on Madden Street.”
Division 3 Councillor Andrew Fechner said the clubhouse would help build on the legacy and rich history of the area.
“The fields at Jim Donald Parklands include the Shane Watson Oval, the grounds where Shane spent many hours developing the skills that helped him become one of the city’s sporting legends,” Cr Fechner said.
“Council remains committed to developing infrastructure in Division 3 that will inspire future generations of players.”
State Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said soccer was experiencing strong growth in recent years, especially among women and girls, and simple things like providing change rooms can really help with the retention of young female players.
“The Raceview Soccer Club has been a part of our community for 50 years and I’m very happy to see that the new clubhouse is open and operating after years of strong advocacy to provide better facilities for players,” said Ms Howard.
“As a result of this advocacy by myself and the club, the Queensland Government committed $900,000 in 2020 to build the new multi-purpose clubhouse, and that investment means that players now have change rooms, a canteen, and space for the club and other community organisations to host meetings and events.
“You never know – one or several of them may go on to become Matildas one day!”
Brothers Ipswich Cricket Club President Leo Conway said the new clubhouse had been well received by the players and families.
“The new clubhouse at Jim Donald sports fields are a fabulous addition to the sporting facilities in the Ipswich region in combination with the great playing fields there,” Mr Conway said.
“Particularly for our club and Raceview Soccer. It provides a great facility for any sporting club or team that has access to the clubhouse.
“We’re experiencing a renewed interest in cricket and this facility will help to drive this growth into the future. It will help us develop the next generation of Australian cricketers.”
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 is assisting to deliver.