A development application has been lodged for a Master Area Development Plan that will involve the construction of the $70-million football stadium and training facility in Springfield Central.
The proposal development called the “Reserve Community Arena” will accommodate the Premium Sports Stadium Facility along with training and administration facilities, as well as a range of complementary uses.
The boutique 10,000-seater football stadium, which will serve as the permanent home of the Brisbane Lions and AFLW team, and its supporting facilities will be located at 60 Springfield Greenbank Arterial, 7003 Eden Station Drive and 7001 Centenary Highway, Springfield Central.
To be delivered in two stages the development will include five key precincts:
- Entry Plaza and Western Concourse
- Lions Training and Administration Facility
- Members Standing and Grandstand Spectator Area
- Grassed Berm Spectator Area
- Complementary Activities
Entry Plaza and Western Concourse
The entry plaza will provide an open space public area interfacing Springfield Town Centre, Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre, Robelle Domain, Springfield Central Train Station, and the adjacent short term/commuter parking facilities which is currently being developed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads
The entry plaza will link directly into the main oval and viewing areas through the
open ground floor of the training and administration facility and by the Mountain Creek concourse to the Grandstand and Grassed Berm spectator areas.
The Western Concourse is a low-speed shared area for servicing and maintenance vehicles with a dedicated maintenance link provided directly to the main oval.
Footbridges across the Mountain Creek corridor, to serve as additional linkage with the Town Centre North area to the west for the western concourse, may be proposed in the future.
Lions Training and Administration Facility
The two-storey high indoor field will incorporate ground level transparency and openness to allow public viewing. The remainder of the building to comprise the high performance training facilities and administration functions of the Brisbane Lions club within the eastern portion.
In addition, administration and ancillary functions of the club, catering, members club dining, players lounge, and auditorium and meeting space for community use will be provided within the wertern portion.
Members Standing and Grandstand Spectator Area
The members standing and grandstand spectator areas will comprise an open standing area and a 700-seating-capacity public grandstand over the upper level.
Provided on the upper level behind the tiered seating and overlooking the oval the are coaches and officials area and the radio and television broadcasting facilities. Below the tiered seating are sporting facilities for AFL, community use, and local sports matches with dressing rooms, warm up area, officials areas, and player amenities.
Grassed Berm Spectator Area
The large grassed berm area will be provided in two locations and can be accessed from either end of the grass berms adjoining the Western Grandstand or the eastern pedestrian concourse. This area is where the main digital scoreboard and replay screen will be situated.
Complementary Activities
A separate precinct to house a range of complementary activities to support the Brisbane Lions players and staff, and also available to the broader community, will be provided including child care, a gymnasium, ancillary business, and health facilities which includes medical imaging, sports medicine, and a lap pool.
The development proposal includes two key parking areas with the primary northern car park, accessible from Eden Station Drive, containing 108 car parking space.
Whilst the restricted access eastern parking areas, accessible from Springfield Greenbank Arterial, will accommodate 60 spaces exclusively for staff and club use including the use by emergency and operational vehicles on game days .
The Reserve will be owned by Ipswich City Council and will be leased to the Brisbane Lions Football Club. Minor work has commenced in 2018 and major construction is expected to start in late 2019.
The Reserve will likely have its ribbon-cutting/ball up ceremony in early 2021.
