Masterplan released for popular Brisbane sporting precinct

A long-term masterplan for one of Brisbane’s most popular sporting precincts - Crosby Park in Albion - has been unveiled with Brisbane City Council locking in a new 25-year lease with Brothers Rugby Club.

Brothers Rugby Club is an Australian rugby union club based in Brisbane with the name alluding to its origins as a rugby club founded by alumni of schools established by the Congregation of Christian Brothers in 1905.

Brothers Rugby Club is one of the oldest active football clubs in Queensland and one of the country’s most eminent rugby clubs. The Club has championed community engagement in sport through inclusive programs for players with learning and perceptual disabilities.

Brothers has occupied Crosby Park for 73 years and over 40% of its playing members are now female.

Brothers Rugby Club released the long-term masterplan for Crosby Park in Albion which it says would help create the city’s newest sporting and lifestyle precinct.

Brisbane City Council said the precinct is due to be built in four years and offers an alternative deal to build a sports precinct in Albion after old plans to build an Olympic venue at the same site were scrapped.

The scaled-down plans include a new indoor sport and recreation centre, parking lots, clubhouse, gym, venue, change rooms, cafe and swim school.

According to the ABC, Council has also flagged that "allied health services" will be included in the final stage of the master plan.

The previous plans were to build a 29-hectare "multi-sports oasis" at the rugby grounds in Albion's Crosby Park to host indoor 2032 Olympic and Paralympic events such as basketball and wheelchair basketball.

Plans were scrapped following a damning independent review into the 2032 Olympic sports venue infrastructure. 

The review found major problems with the site that would have had a significant economic impact and delayed the completion date.

Problems included poor proximity and access to mass transit, high flooding risk, land contamination and geotechnical restraints.

The review instead recommended building the Brisbane Indoor Sports Centre in Zillmere or Boondall, but no sites have been locked in.

Brothers Rugby Club President, Geoff Rodgers noted “Brothers is firmly established as arguably the most central focal point for Brisbane’s inner north-east community – whether this be as a sporting and social venue for local schools, businesses and community groups, or as a leisure/recreational outlet for the general public.

“But the bottom line is that we must upgrade our amenities – which really haven’t had any major additions since the early 1980s – to keep pace with this heightened community demand.

“As a modern club over 40% of our members are female and we host many participants requiring disability access. Being able to safely cater for all of our participants, whilst maintaining a safe, open and freely accessible space for the entire community – including embracing environmental protection and sustainability – is now essential.

“We thank the Brisbane City Council for this initiative which is very much welcomed by the club and the broader community.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner added "Brisbane has grown faster than any other capital city in the country and it's important our community facilities continue to grow with us to create more to see and do in the suburbs.

"Brothers Rugby Club has been a steward for Crosby Park for more than 70 years and we're excited to work with them to help create a lifestyle and sporting precinct that more people can enjoy."

Images. Supplied Brisbane City Council