The next stage of the Ballymore redevelopment will kick off with an election commitment from Queensland Labor to fund a business case and project validation report for the proposed new Eastern Stand and Olympic Sevens high-performance centre.
State MP for McConnel and Minister for State Development and the Olympics Grace Grace today announced Ballymore’s business case would be the major project funded under her $1 million Community Sporting Masterplan for McConnel.
The funding will allow the Queensland Rugby Union to determine the optimum use of Ballymore and the proposed new Eastern Stand for the venue's Olympic future and as Queensland’s new home of women’s rectangular sport.
Stage Two of the redevelopment is proposed to create an 8-12,000 capacity stadium - perfect for the growth of women’s rectangular sport.
Rugby Australia has already committed to a full-time move to Ballymore for the women’s Olympic Rugby Sevens squad pending Government funding approval for the integrated high-performance centre in the stand. This would be the first Olympic team to move to Queensland since the announcement of the 2032 Olympics.
Minister Grace said: “Today’s funding will allow the QRU to develop a detailed business case to determine the best pathway to ensure a great facility for our world-class female athletes, like our Rugby Sevens.
“We also know how important Ballymore is as both an Olympic venue and a local community sport venue, and this will a key part of any future plans.
"We want to prepare Ballymore for that Olympic and Paralympic dream and make sure we have the facilities for all the athletes who come here.
“A detailed business case is just the first step in a better Ballymore.”
Minister Grace said "a driving force behind this commitment in the $1 million masterplan" is RA's own commitment to relocate Australia's champion Rugby Sevens squad from Sydney to Brisbane pending funding approval for construction.
QRU Chief Executive Officer David Hanham said Stage One of the Ballymore redevelopment has delivered the multi-sport, multi-use vision for the precinct as promised over the past 15 months.
“Today’s announcement is an important next step in the redevelopment of Ballymore," Hanham said.
“Stage Two of the redevelopment will create an exciting, multi-sport venue, as well as housing our Olympic women’s Rugby Sevens program.
“The business case and project validation report will provide investment certainty to both the State and Federal Governments, as well as provide the QRU with an accurate assessment of the best use of Ballymore.
“We are proud to be creating Queensland’s new home of women’s rectangular sport, and a venue that welcomes multiple sports.
“In the 15 months since we opened the $31.5m BMS National Rugby Training Centre and new McLean Stand, Ballymore has hosted a Wallaroos Test match, four A-League soccer matches (women and men), the Oceania Olympic Sevens qualifiers for Paris and the national Flag Football championships.
“We have also hosted training for four NRL sides with ‘captain's runs’ before their Brisbane matches as well as the NSW Blues before their State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium.
"Stage One of Ballymore was redeveloped through a positive bi-partisan agreement and we are hoping that its future also has bi-partisan Government support."
