Ipswich City councillor Sheila Ireland (div 9) said after 10 years of lobbying by local sporting groups, work was expected to begin on the Springfield Central project within a fortnight.
“This will be the home of Springfield sport and cater for all sports, ages and genders,” she said.
“It’s a growing suburb and there are so many youth and seniors.”
The precinct, led by Lendlease, includes four new rectangular fields, or two ovals, 16 netball courts and clubhouses. Cr Ireland said the fields were expected to be completed by the middle of 2017.
City Works, Parks, Sport and Environment Committee chairman Cr David Morrison said four additional rectangular fields and eight tennis courts near Sinnathamby Boulevard were expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
Artist impression of the precinct.
He said the exciting project would see more sporting fields developed within Greater Springfield in next two years than the previous 24 years.
“There certainly has been a shortage in the Greater Springfield area,” Cr Morrison said.
“Council really only has Bob Gibbs and Summit Oval and a partnership with Education Queensland for Woodcrest College.
“There are sport clubs crying out for more space and these two ovals will be welcomed.”
Artist impression of the precinct.
JMac Constructions has been contracted to build the project in conjunction with BMD Urban. Lendlease’s Guy Gibson said his group was excited to work with the major project stakeholders, Springfield Land Corporation and Ipswich City Council, to deliver new sport facilities in the corridor.
What the fields will look like from above.
New facility a big goal for netballers, football and rugby
A NETBALL association to rival Western Districts and Ipswich is in the wings, with 16 new courts to provide a platform for growth.
Springfield Lakes Netball Club president Narelle Jackson said its 15 teams presently trained on just six courts at Camira Recreational Park.
Sophie Jackson, Bridget Jackson and Amy Millmore from Springfield Lakes Netball Club – Picture: Richard Walker
“The courts at (Camira) really need fixing up,” Ms Jackson said.
“We only really have three decent courts on which to play games.
“It will be exciting to get some nice, new courts.
“Eventually, we (and Netball Queensland) are looking at setting up a netball association at Springfield and that will be exciting to get all the clubs around this area together.”
If an association was formed in Springfield, it would spell the end of travelling to Graceville to compete in the Western Districts Netball Association. The Southern Sport Fields could also end a clash of codes.
Springfield United Football Club president Scott Harding said the club competed for time and space at Woodcrest College, which was also used by fellow winter sport Australian rules.
Matthew and Mayah Nolan with Tiffany Morris and Daniel Blake. Springfield United Soccer Club is growing rapidly. Pic John Gass
“All the fields (in Greater Springfield) have been overloaded until this point in time,” Mr Harding said.
“At the new facility, we’ll be sharing with a summer code in cricket.
“It will be huge to have our own space and the sport would grow very quickly. Springfield United would have our own identity.”
Mr Harding said access to a clubhouse would allow for a better canteen and a more financially sustainable club.
He said the club’s five-year plan included the creation of a football academy and strengthening ties with the Western Pride.
Springfield Hawks Rugby Union Club co-ordinator Dee Clark said the defending Barber Cup champions had also expressed interest to call the fields home.
City Works, Parks, Sport and Environment Committee chairman Cr David Morrison said space for sport had been limited.
“Every council sports oval within Greater Springfield is currently being used almost every night of the week and at least one day on the weekend,” he said.
Work continues on northern land
WHILE sporting clubs celebrate the imminent Southern Sporting Fields, Cr Morrison said work on another project was continuing.
Cr Morrison said land for the Northern Sports Fields project continued to receive fill.
Ipswich City Councillor David Morrison
“The Southern Sporting Fields are located on the southern side of the Centenary Highway in Springfield Central and the Northern Sports Fields are located on the northern side of the Centenary Highway in Brookwater, opposite The Springfield Anglican College Senior Campus,” he said.
“The Southern Sporting Fields are being constructed now and four new fields with two new clubhouses are expected to be completed by mid-2017.
“The Northern Sports Fields sites have been receiving fill for the last couple of years and should be completed by the end of 2018. There will be at least three new fields created on the Northern Sports Fields.”
The fields will be a boost to sport after Springfield missed out on luring the Brisbane Lions last year.
Original article published at www.couriermail.com.au by Douglas Estwick 17/8/16