Funding support secures development of Brisbane Lions new Springfield base

Funding for the Brisbane Lions’ training and support centre project, The Reserve Community Arena, has been deeded by the project’s government partners into a special account, separating it from the AFL club’s football operations.

As advised in a statement from the club, the “funding support means the project will proceed as planned and will ensure the creation of hundreds of new construction jobs as the project nears the final stages of negotiating a building contract.”

Commenting that the club is excited to see the project get support during the Coronavirus pandemic, as the club faces uncertain financial times, Lions General Manager of Infrastructure, Strategy and Government Relations, Jake Anson noted “the project had been almost a decade in planning and the club is excited to see it proceed during these difficult times.

“It’s really positive news for the club, the local community and so many project stakeholders that the development will continue during the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are working with our provisional builders to establish workplace procedures and our project program that factor in COVID-19.

“The Reserve project will provide several hundred construction jobs immediately, and upon completion it will significantly improve our club’s finances by reducing overheads and diversifying revenues.

“Moreover, it will give our players an elite high-performance training environment that is vastly superior to that they’ve had access to at The Gabba.”

In the coming week, a $6.5 million preliminary earthworks package is set to be completed, which has involved the rerouting of Mountain Creek to accommodate The Reserve, the creation of building pads and spectator mounds and the shaping of the oval sub-base.

Within the last week of the earthworks package, they have planted the first grass and trees to re-establish riparian vegetation along the creek in Springfield.

With the AFL 2020 Premiership season still suspended over fears of the Coronavirus, support for the project will aid the club’s financial sustainability.

Image shows the concept for the Brisbane Lions new home at the Reserve Community Arena in Springfield.