The AFL has announced a further $420,000 in funding for the Burpengary Regional Sports Park – AFL Precinct.
AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou and Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland today unveiled the first patch of turf on the Burpengary Regional Sports Park – AFL precinct at Burpengary.
Mr Demetriou said the new community facility would be a testament to the Moreton Bay Regional Council’s vision and commitment to supporting sport and healthy lifestyles in the region.
The $13 million project includes two new AFL fields and space for a third, as well as a modern facility that incorporates a clubroom, offices, kitchen, change rooms, toilets, first aid rooms and store rooms.
Set for completion in July and available for use from September, the precinct will be home to the Caboolture junior and senior AFL clubs and will house AFL Queensland’s North Brisbane administration and academy programs.
The site will be extensively landscaped including the installation of bio-retention basins to facilitate stormwater cleansing and there will be on-site parking for 147 vehicles.
“We are extremely grateful to the Moreton Bay Regional Council for this significant investment in high standard community AFL facilities,” said Mr Demetriou.
“The quality and functionality of this complex will be comparable with the best community facilities in Australia and will underpin the strong growth of AFL in outer metropolitan Brisbane.”
Click above to see the press confernce with AFL CEo Andrew Demetriou and Moreton Bay Regional Mayor, Allan Sutherland.
Mr Demetriou said the AFL would complement the project by investing an additional $420,000 in upgrades to enable AFL preseason matches to be played at the precinct from 2014.
“Council has committed to providing a state-of-the-art community facility and the AFL’s contribution toward match lighting of a broadcast standard and professional level coaches’ boxes will further enhance the complex,” he said.
“The Burpengary Regional Sports Park – AFL precinct will be an exciting drawcard with the hosting of NEAFL state league games, Brisbane Lions academy programs, promotional and football development activities sitting alongside community football.”
Mayor Allan Sutherland said The Burpengary Regional Sports Park – AFL precinct project was part of Moreton Bay Regional Council’s strong commitment to local sporting infrastructure.
“On behalf of the players and the legion of diehard AFL fans in the Moreton Bay Region, I want to thank the AFL for its commitment and investment in the Burpengary Regional Sports Park – AFL precinct,” the Mayor said.
“It’s crucial sporting infrastructure for one of Australia’s fastest growing urban areas.”
“Community sporting facilities are where it all starts for the big stars of the game. It’s where they develop their skills and passion, and with AFL Queensland establishing an academy program here, the Burpengary AFL precinct is primed to become a fruitful recruitment ground for the league’s top clubs.”
