BRISBANE LIONS ELITE TRAINING & ADMINISTRATION FACILITY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1. THE PROCESS
1.1 Why does the Club need a new elite training and administration facility (ETAF)?
With competition between Clubs’ increasing to find that competitive edge, it is important that we provide our players with all the available resources to ensure continued development and improvement. The Club has outgrown the current facilities at the Gabba. The new ETAF will provide the Club with an opportunity to develop a best-practice state of the art working environment for staff and players, as well as provide an outstanding community facility. Once completed the new ETAF will play a significant role in providing us with a distinct competitive edge over other AFL Clubs.
1.2 What process has the Club followed in reaching this decision?
A thorough and robust process was undertaken by management and the Board, in consultation with the AFL, in deciding on the Springfield site. The process started in early 2011 – more than two years ago, when the Club called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) in the project. There were 15 sites, of which, two were short-listed after thorough assessment and analysis – Springfield and QSAC at Mt Gravatt. Ultimately Springfield was determined to be the Club’s best long-term option.
1.3 What is the Club’s vision for this project?
The vision is to create a significant sporting and community hub in the Greater Brisbane region for the Club and its associated community interests – with an elite training and administration base for the Club.
1.4 What presence will the Club maintain at the Gabba?
The Club will continue to play its home games at the Gabba. If you are a member – your seat at the Gabba will remain the same, should you wish.
1.5 What will happen to the facilities at the Gabba?
This is ultimately a decision for Stadiums Queensland. The Club will continue to have match-day presence include a shop front for merchandise & memberships. The Club will also maintain the appropriate branding at the Gabba. During the AFL season, the Lions will still hold some training sessions at the Gabba, as will opposition teams. Furthermore the Lions and AFLQ intend to maintain the lease at Giffin Park, Coorparoo, from the Brisbane City Council, to use as part of its pre-season program, Lions Academy training and trials, as well as AFL community games and carnivals.
1.6 What presence will the Club maintain at its alternate training venue at Coorparoo?
The Lions’ current alternative training venue at Coorparoo will remain under the control of AFLQ for use by community sports clubs – importantly Australian Football clubs.
2. MEMBERS
2.1 How were members consulted as part of this decision?
Members have been notified of updates where possible on the Lions’ website over the past two years. Chairman Angus Johnson notified members at last year’s AGM that the process had identified two sites for further assessment – Springfield and QSAC at Mt Gravatt.
2.2 Where can Lions members find out more about the development and the decision?
The Lions’ website, lions.com.au, is the best place to get updates from the Club about the new ETAF.
2.3 Will members be able to watch training at the new ETAF?
Yes – open sessions as advertised by the Club will remain accessible by members.
2.4 How can members get to the new ETAF when it is completed?
The best way depends on where you are travelling from, however, major infrastructure works are currently being undertaken to double the main road in and out of Springfield and to extend the railway from Richlands to Springfield Central, directly adjacent to the Lions’ ETAF site. The railway is due to open late 2013.
3. THE DEVELOPMENT
3.1 What does the Springfield development include?
The first-stage of the Lions’ ETAF development will include:
- An MCG-sized AFL oval with lighting suitable for NAB Cup and NEAFL matches;
- Best practice gymnasium, aquatic recovery, medical, coaching and player development areas;
- Player lounge and study areas;
- Administration headquarters designed to maximise integration across the business;
- Flexible education spaces including dedicated facilities for the Lions community programs;
- A home for the Hyundai Brisbane Lions Academy; and
- Extensive site preparation works associated with the development including the construction of roadways and civic infrastructure
The second stage of the Lions’ ETAF development will include:
- A grandstand for up to 2,500 spectators;
- Covered training space suitable for game simulation; and
- Additional ovals, training areas and community sports fields.
3.2 What are the details of the tenancy agreement for the Club?
The Club has signed Heads of Agreement (HOA) with Ipswich City Council and Springfield Land for the development of the ETAF.
The HOA includes a 99-year lease of the site to the Lions.
3.3 Does the establishment of the ETAF at Springfield mean the Club would consider changing its name?
No. The Club will always be known as the Brisbane Lions.
3.4 What is the timeline for the project?
Preparatory ground-works are underway with construction likely to commence in late 2014 or early 2015. The expected completion date is mid-2016.
3.5 Where will the development rank against other elite sporting facilities?
The new ETAF will provide the Lions with a world-class training and administration facility. The facility will allow the Club to provide its players with the best possible training environment as well as providing the community with a great asset to utilise.
3.6 Does the development at Springfield allow for future expansion?
Yes. The facility will be built over four stages and is future-proofed for further growth within the Club.
3.7 Will the development include car parking?
Yes. The Site has parking available for 300 vehicles (180 for public parking) and the adjacent railway station has additional parking.
3.8 What facilities within the development will be available to the community?
The field of play, being an MCG size playing arena, will be available for other users, specifically AFL and AFLQ teams. The gymnasium will be available for use by other high performance groups or individuals in and around the area, while the 25m lap pool will be available for community use (specifically learn to swim and squad swimming). Flexible education space and community access to a lecture theatre are also planned.
3.9 Who is funding the project?
Stage 1 of the ETAF development is expected to cost in the order of $60 million with funding being provided by contributions from the Springfield Land Corporation, Ipswich City Council, Federal Government, Brisbane Lions and the AFL. Further funding will also be sought from other parties including the Queensland State Government.
3.10 Are there any other commercial plans within the development?
The development will be zoned by Council to allow for future commercial development.
3.11 What community activities are planned for the football ovals?
The ovals are planned for use by the Brisbane Lions Academy, NEAFL matches, and potentially a local team, as well as school and community use upon request. More information regarding this will be made available closer to the scheduled opening of the ETAF.
3.12 Has the building design considered visitors with a disability?
Yes. There will not be any stairs to enter the building and arena and lifts will be incorporated to allow access to other levels.
3.13 Who will manage the facility?
The Brisbane Lions will manage and operate the ETAF.
4. SPRINGFIELD
4.1 Where is Springfield?
Springfield is located 25kms from the Brisbane CBD and 15kms from Ipswich CBD. It is south-west of the Lions’ current training and administration base at the Gabba. The Lions ETAF will be a key part of the Greater Springfield area that also includes a university campus, health and wellness precinct and a large-scale shopping centre. (Ipswich Region)
4.2 What is the population of Springfield?
Greater Springfield is one of the largest master planned cities in Australia and has become home to over 23,000 residents and 10,200 students since it was established in 1991, making it the third fastest growing region in Australia. The local Greater Springfield area will ultimately accommodate a planned population of 105,000 residents.
