Chelmer Oval upgrade to create more sporting opportunities for girls
Queensland Cricket and AFL Queensland have jointly welcomed a $1.2 million Brisbane City Council funding injection to improve off-field facilities at Chelmer Oval, announced today by Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said that the Chelmer Oval off-field facilities project was at the top of the priority list for cricket infrastructure in the Metro South West cricket region, and would make a huge difference to attracting and retaining Queensland’s female cricket talent.
“Chelmer Oval is quite a rare site because it has high-quality field lighting, which has seen it become a hub for girls’ and women’s cricket competition and training,” Mr Svenson said. “But the off-field facilities are outdated and in need of a significant upgrade.”
“Western Suburbs District Cricket Club is one of our most successful clubs in producing female talent at the highest levels in Queensland.
“Queensland players Kirby Short, Grace Harris, Holly Ferling, Josie Dooley and Courtney Sippel, to name just a few, are Wests products, and there’s more depth and room at the club to improve and grow women’s cricket, with the provision of better facilities,” he said.
Also welcoming the Lord Mayor’s commitment, AFL Queensland CEO, Dean Warren, said upgraded change facilities and club rooms at Chelmer Oval would make it easier for local AFL club, Kenmore Bears, to attract quality players and grow.
“AFLQ welcomes today’s announcement as a strong show of confidence in the future of our code. The current facilities are not female friendly and this has been a major barrier for the club to field female teams.
“Improved facilities at Chelmer mean we can increase talent, school and umpiring programs across the precinct, and it gives Kenmore a base to introduce female teams into the future,” Mr Warren said.
“It is reward for the cooperative approach the club has taken to work closely with cricket to improve this important facility,” he said.
Today’s announcement will create an initial budget of $1.465 million (including complementary funding contributions from Cricket and AFL) to enable commencement of Stage One of the work that is needed at the Chelmer Oval site.
Stage One of the Chelmer Oval off-field facilities project includes:
• Demolition of the old AFL clubhouse and old change rooms,
• Refurbishment of the existing clubhouse building to include the fitout for the Administration Area and Clubhouse
• Temporarily convert equipment storage rooms to change rooms for players and umpires.
• Outside shade structures over the canteen, spectator viewing area and on the southern side of the temporary change rooms
• Project delivery costs and contingency
Stage Two would require an additional $1 million and include:
• A new, stand-alone change room building.
• Conversion of the “change room” area in Stage 1 to storerooms and additional office and gym space.
• Seating terraces in front of the clubhouse/ change rooms.
• Cricket practice nets.
• Project delivery costs and contingency
Queensland Cricket, AFLQ and local clubs will continue working with key stakeholders, including the Queensland Government, to secure funding for stage two of the proposed works to ensure the most efficient use of funding.
