Story thanks to South West News
BUDDING Redbank Plains AFL stars have given their new council-funded clubhouse the thumbs up. BUILDING on one of the club’s best seasons, the Collingwood Park Power Junior Australian Football Club has unveiled its newly constructed clubhouse in Redbank Plains.
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale, Deputy Mayor Victor Attwood and Councillor David Morrison were all on hand for the official launch of the new Collingwood Park AFL Clubhouse as part of a special club presentation day on Saturday, September 21.
The new facility, built by Ipswich City Council in the Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve, cost $ 980,000 and supports the club known as The Power.
“Collingwood Park Australian Football Club competes in the AFL Queensland and AFL Brisbane Juniors competition and is a fantastic ambassador for the city,” Cr Pisasale said.
Collingwood Park Power president Phil Coombs said the new clubhouse had been custom built to suit the particular requirements of AFL.
“We’re absolutely happy with it — it’s a modern building with all new purpose- built facilities,” Coombs said.
“Obviously there are other club houses on the Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve for soccer and Rugby League, but Council accommodated us in having bigger change rooms because an AFL side has more players than other codes.
“We now also have a proper match- day canteen, which will also help with fundraising for the club,” he said.
The clubhouse will also feature dedicated first aid, storage, meeting and umpire’s rooms.
“We also held our first AFL Queensland preliminary final here because we now have the umpire room, so that was a big nod from them to have big- time games played here,” Coombs said.
Cr Pisasale said this new clubhouse would provide the club with a firm foundation for the future.
“The new clubhouse will also benefit from its location within a short distance of the Brisbane Lions’ new elite training and administration centre to be established in Springfield and I’m excited by what the future holds for AFL in Ipswich,” Cr Pisasale said.
