Lions find a new cage
The Brisbane Lions have announced they are relocating their training and administration base from the GABBA to a new home at Springfield, as part of a $60m elite high performance training facility development that has been facilitated by Waypoint.
The first stage of the facility will include a flood-lit MCG-sized AFL oval, state-of-the-art gymnasium featuring aquatic recovery, medical, coaching and player development areas, and administration headquarters for the whole organisation.
Waypoint were selected by the Springfield Land Corporation and Ipswich City Council in 2012 to formulate and lead the group’s “pitch” to the Lions in relation to the relocation opportunity, including plans for the facility and how it could be funded.
As a result of this work, the federal government recently committed $15M towards the project, with the remaining funding to be provided via a partnership between the Springfield Land Corporation, Ipswich City Council, AFL and Club. The Queensland state government will also be approached for funding.
Springfield Land Corporation Deputy Chairman Bob Sharpless commented that “the decision by the Brisbane Lions to relocate to Springfield is a significant milestone for all those involved, and is a direct result of the highly specialised advice that has been provided by Waypoint over the past 2 years”.
In further recognition of Waypoint’s expertise, it has also been retained by the Brisbane Lions to oversee all aspects of the implementation of the elite high performance training facility on behalf of the Club and project partners, with completion scheduled for mid 2016.