Aspiring AFL stars are set to gain a home-ground advantage over their rivals with work commencing on a new clubhouse in Greenbank.
The Everleigh Sports Park Clubhouse will feature a clubroom, four changerooms, spectator amenities, storage rooms, first aid room, office, and a commercially operated café.
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said the purpose-built facility would encourage community sport at all levels.
“As a passionate AFL supporter, I’m pleased to see Council invest in one of South-East Queensland’s fastest growing sports,” Cr Power said.
“Facilities like the Everleigh Sports Park Clubhouse provide an opportunity for our aspiring talent to hone their craft, while still supporting our recreational athletes with a high-quality community facility.”
The $6 million project is co-funded by the Logan City Council, Queensland Government, Mirvac Queensland Pty Ltd and AFL Queensland.
Council’s $5.2 million contribution includes $175,0000 from the Division 11 Local Infrastructure Program.
Division 11 Councillor Natalie Willcocks said the clubhouse will become a key feature of the new grounds for residents.
“Nothing brings a community together quite like sport, and I look forward to supporting our local AFL teams and connecting with the community at the Everleigh Sports Park Clubhouse once it is completed,” Cr Willcocks said.
The project complements the recently completed full-sized AFL field and warm-up oval. The new clubhouse is expected to be constructed by mid 2024.
Mirvac Queensland will provide $290,000 towards the project.
Mirvac General Manager Residential Queensland Warwick Bible said the innovative public-private partnership had enabled the facility to come to fruition years earlier than anticipated, catering for the rapidly expanding Greenbank and wider Logan community.
“The plans are the result of years of work behind the scenes with Council, State Government and AFL Queensland and we’re excited to now start working on bringing the clubhouse to life,” Mr Bible said.
“Our focus is on delivering a facility our community can be proud of and that supports new opportunities for people in this area to get active and enjoy the social interaction that goes hand-in-hand with sport.”
The Queensland Government, through the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport has contributed $200,000 to Logan City Council for the project.
Member for Logan, Linus Power said the clubhouse will have far reaching benefits for the Logan community.
“We know getting more young Queenslanders involved in sport and active recreation more often helps improve their long-term health and wellbeing,” Mr Power said.
“The new clubhouse will really enhance the training and game day experience for players, coaches and volunteers, encouraging others to get involved, while leaving a lasting legacy on the runway to the 2032 Games.”
AFL Queensland will provide $250,000 towards the project through the Grand Final Facilities Fund.
Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires said she is looking forward to seeing the facility become a place for a community to gather, activate and play AFL.
“We’ve continued to see huge increase in Aussie Rules’ participation across Queensland, with the region surrounding the Everleigh facility booming, with almost 100 Auskick registrations, and Park Ridge’s Juniors seeing a 63 per cent growth since 2022,” Ms Squires said.
“It is an exciting growth area and to be involved in a new development like this, will provide an opportunity for new participants to join our game right on their doorsteps.”
