New amenities for Burringbar Park Hockey Facility

The Queensland Government has invested $495,000 in new change rooms and amenities at Chermside’s Burringbar Park Hockey Facility as part of the Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan with funding delivered through the Active Community Infrastructure Fund.

Originally known as Hamilton Road Reserve, Burringbar takes its name from an Indigenous word related to the ‘clashing of sticks’, and for more than four decades has been the Northside’s home of hockey. 

New amenities at Burringbar Park Hockey Facility include change rooms and showers for players, a parents’ room, and public conveniences for spectators.

Local State Member for Stafford, Jimmy Sullivan notes “the new change rooms will be welcomed by local and visiting players and drive the growth of hockey on the Northside.

“We know quality, female-friendly change facilities like this are critical to encouraging more girls and women to get involved in sport, stick with it, and stay active for our community’s COVID-19 recovery.

“The hockey clubs who call Burringbar Park home have an exciting future ahead of them.” 

Minister Hinchliffe said the amenities had been delivered through the Active Community Infrastructure Fund.

Minister Hinchliffe advised “the new amenities block has been built on the Burringbar Park Hockey Facility’s second playing field to help boost playing capacity.

“It means both playing fields have their own change rooms and showers, so players won’t need to wait around to get cleaned up and changed after a game.   

“Our Activate! Queensland strategy is designed to support community clubs to provide new and upgraded facilities like change rooms to get more Queenslanders on the team.

“We know physical activity improves health and being on the team enhances mental and social wellbeing.

“Growing community sport will help identify talented young Queenslanders with elite playing potential in the lead up to Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“But you don’t need to be an elite player to get involved, we’ll also need plenty of volunteers with a solid knowledge of hockey for Brisbane 2032.”          

Throughout the season, the Burringbar Park Hockey Facility hosts a healthy percentage of the more than 18,000 players in Queensland across club, state and school competitions.

Burringbar Park is run by the Brisbane Hockey Management Group, a joint initiative of the Brisbane Hockey Association Inc, the Brisbane Women's Hockey Association Inc, and Kedron Wavell Services Hockey Club Inc.

President Greg Swann said the completion of the facilities was a welcome new addition to their hockey centre.

Swann added “previously players on the second field did not have their own change rooms, which meant that they would need to wait to access the only change rooms on site. The new facilities will also provide additional toilets for visitors to the park and parents change room facilities.

“Having this second block will be a huge benefit to Brisbane hockey players and their supporters and will mean we will also be able to extend our competition opportunities.

“As a volunteer organisation we are extremely appreciative of the Queensland Government for their support and investment in making this happen.

“We also appreciate the professional support provided by Sport and Recreation Queensland throughout the project.”

Image: Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, Member for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan, and Redcliffe Dolphins