The Queensland Rugby Union today began the first construction works on a Queensland Olympic venue with the $30 million Ballymore National Rugby Training Centre and new McLean Stand.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today officially broke ground on the NRTC, which will be constructed during the next 14 months by Buildcorp.
The NRTC is the first stage of a sweeping revamp of the famous Herston site, which will include swimming and sport climbing facilities to help build the next generation of Olympic athletes in multiple sports.
The NRTC will be the new national headquarters for women’s rugby and the national Wallaroos team, as well as a new training base for the Queensland Reds mens and women’s Super Rugby teams.
The integrated 3010-capacity integrated grandstand replaces the old McLean Stand and gives Ballymore the ability to be a new home for women’s rectangular sports. The new stand will keep the McLean name, honouring one of the most famous families in Queensland rugby.
The facility will include a 700m2 elite gym, aquatic recovery centre, a 75-seat auditorium and a 120-person capacity function room and player’s lounge. The NRTC has been designed to easily move between a high-performance centre and the centrepiece of a 15,000-capacity stadium, with meeting rooms that convert into game-day suites.
The $30m project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments and the QRU, and will support more than 150 jobs during construction.
Premier Palaszczuk said: “The rebirth of Ballymore has begun, and this high-performance centre will be an elite training centre as well as a community sporting hub.
“The training fields and premium facilities make a revitalised Ballymore an attractive destination for visiting teams leading into events like the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup.”
Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said construction would support more than 150 jobs and deliver on a State Government election commitment.
“Ballymore’s hallowed ground has cultivated some of the world’s greatest rugby players and that tradition will continue,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“As the new headquarters of the Australian women’s team – the Wallaroos - Ballymore’s high-performance centre becomes a centre of excellence for rugby’s elite female stars of the future.
“Investment in premium facilities like the National Rugby Training Centre sends a strong message to young women.
“Ballymore demonstrates with elite training support, determination and ability, young women can achieve their dreams on the national and world stage.
“The transformation is also primed to help the next generation of Olympic competitors maximise Queensland representation at Brisbane’s 2032 Games.”
Member for McConnel Grace Grace said Ballymore is one of Brisbane’s most valued and important sites.
“Rugby fans, fans of all sports, and our local community will be delighted to know the future of this famous ground is assured,” Ms Grace said.
Queensland Rugby Union CEO David Hanham said the masterplan sets rugby in Queensland up for a sustainable future.
“We see Ballymore as the centre of Brisbane’s Silicon Valley of sport and wellbeing – a place where Olympians can train and compete in a world-class facility,” he said.
“With the growth of women’s and men’s elite sport and community sport, Ballymore can provide a cost-effective and central venue option for Brisbane, as well as continuing to be the home of our Hospital Cup finals and community game.
“The redevelopment will include three new buildings housing allied health, sports administration and sport and recreation, which will allow the QRU to offset the $1m annual cost of maintaining the precinct - putting that money back into grassroots rugby.
“There has already been significant interest from allied health providers to be part of Ballymore, which is only a short walk from the Herston Quarter health precinct.
"Thank you to the Federal Government and local member Trevor Evans for their commitment to the construction of the National Rugby Training Centre. Our thanks also goes to the Queensland State Government and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and local member Grace Grace for making this Ballymore redevelopment possible."
The Reds kick off their Super Rugby season this Saturday 19 February when they take on the Melbourne Rebels in Round One from 6.45 at Suncorp Stadium.
Buildcorp are the lead contractor of the NRTC project, which is managed by RPS and designed by leading Queensland architects Blight Rayner.
Ballymore Masterplan
- National Rugby Training Centre
- Home of the Queensland Reds and Wallaroos
- 700m2 gym and hydrotherapy centre
- 3010-capacity integrated grandstand
- 75-seat auditorium
- 120-person capacity function room
- 25m swim school
- 10,000m2 Centre of Excellence for Sport Climbing
- 20m high outdoor walls for speed and lead climbing
- Boulder climbing area
- Public parkland/viewing area
- Three new allied health/sports medicine buildings
- 5000m2 approved
- Revitalised public parks and BBQ areas
