IPSWICH’S sport and entertainment future is looking bright following a major announcement at the home of rugby league in Ipswich.
Speaking at North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding outlined the next steps in the venue’s transition to become the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct.
“The Ipswich Jets were sitting fourth in the Queensland Rugby League ladder going into the weekend round, but this announcement is about taking Ipswich into first position as a major sport and entertainment destination,” Mayor Harding said.
“I’m delighted to announce that designs have now been completed for the upgrade and Council will go out to tender to find a suitable construction partner for the new 2000-seat western grandstand.”
Stage 1 will include demolition of the existing grandstand and construction of a new western grandstand of 2000-seat capacity, including male and female dressing rooms with toilets and showers for home and away teams, upgraded public amenities and public spaces, a media room and function room for at least 130 guests.
Future stages will include a northern grandstand, improvements to the eastern and southern embankments, improvements to Len Johnson Oval and better access to the city.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann also welcomed the news that construction of the upgraded sport and entertainment precinct in North Ipswich was set to take off.
“I have been championing this marquee project for several years and I know it will be a real game-changer for our city,” he said.
“Ipswich is one of Queensland’s fastest growing regions and a sporting powerhouse, so we deserve world-class sporting facilities.
“With a state-of-the-art facility North Ipswich will attract top-level NRL and A-League fixtures … and have the capacity to host major concert events.”
This next stage is expected to get underway shortly and be complete by mid-2027, supporting up to 31 direct and 61 indirect jobs during construction.
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Cr Andrew Antoniolli said the announcement would give Ipswich a national-standard sport and entertainment precinct, anchored around a boutique rectangular stadium.
“There will be improved field lighting and improved player facilities, and an improved function room,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“This will mean the new western grandstand will be able to host state and local sporting competition games in the rectangular format.
“It will also be able to be scaled up to host one-off premium sporting, recreational, cultural and entertainment events.”
State Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander was delighted to see the next steps taken on the North Ipswich Reserve.
“The Crisafulli Government knows that to attract world-class sporting events, we need to invest in world-class facilities,” Mr Mander said.
“The upgrades at the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct will open up new opportunities for the region to host professional sporting teams and events and attract athletes to train and compete here.
“I’m excited to see how this new facility will drive participation in sports … while creating a lasting resource for the whole community to enjoy.”
The Federal Government is investing $20 million across both stages of the project, with the Queensland Government investing $10 million and Ipswich City Council investing nearly $11.4 million.
