CRICKET and soccer players at Jim Donald Parklands will enjoy some new facilities with a new $2.99 million clubhouse. It’s set among fields that are home to the Brothers Ipswich Cricket Club and the Raceview Soccer Club.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the building showed council’s commitment to sports and infrastructure.
The clubhouse has a 200-person capacity, which includes a canteen, club and function room, covered outdoor space, changing rooms, officials’ rooms, first aid room, amenities, storage facilities and player dugouts to the top fields.
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said works had been constructed with accessibility in mind.
“There is wheelchair access to bathrooms and all parts of the clubhouse, with accessible pathways connecting the clubhouse to Napier Circuit and the Grange Road car park,” Cr Doyle said.
Division 3 Councillor Andrew Fechner said the clubhouse would help build on the legacy and rich history of the area.
“The fields at Jim Donald Parklands include the Shane Watson Oval, the grounds where Shane spent many hours developing the skills that helped him become one of the city’s sporting legends,” Cr Fechner said.
State Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said soccer was experiencing strong growth in recent years, especially among women and girls, and simple things like providing change rooms can really help with the retention of young female players.
“The Raceview Soccer Club has been a part of our community for 50 years and I’m very happy to see that the new clubhouse is open and operating after years of strong advocacy to provide better facilities for players,” said Ms Howard.
