IPSWICH’S NRL dream is being given some serious foundations, with major construction now underway on the $40 million transformation of the spiritual home of the Ipswich Jets.
Work has started on the new western grandstand at North Ipswich Reserve, with the 2199-seat facility due to be completed in late 2027, potentially putting it in place ahead of a western corridor Jets franchise entering the NRL from as early as 2029.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann secured $20 million in Commonwealth funding for the redevelopment as a 2022 Federal Election commitment, with the Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council contributing $10 million each.
Mr Neumann said seeing construction begin at the spiritual home of Ipswich rugby league was a major milestone.
“I was proud to secure $20 million in Australian Government funding for this project for our community that will upgrade the North Ipswich Reserve into a state-of-the-art facility able to host top-level NRL, A-League and rugby matches, as well as concerts and other major events,” he said.
“Ipswich is Queensland’s fastest-growing region and a rugby league and sporting powerhouse, so we deserve to have world-class sporting facilities, and this redevelopment will deliver that.
The new grandstand will include 2199 spectator seats along with coaches’ boxes, four modern changerooms, media facilities and function spaces for up to 250 guests.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the redevelopment would cement the city’s reputation as rugby league heartland while adding another major facility to its sporting landscape.
“The new grandstand is the first stage towards realising our full vision for the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct of a national-standard 12,000-capacity rectangular stadium,” Mayor Harding said.
Ipswich Jets Group CEO Richard Hughes said watching the next chapter of the historic ground take shape was particularly significant for the club.
“We’ve watched generations of Jets run onto North Ipswich Reserve, so to now see the next chapter of this ground becoming a reality is incredibly special,” Mr Hughes said.
“For the Jets, it is a really significant moment and a genuinely exciting one for the future of our sport in this city.”
