New facilities to grow northside hockey recovery

Almost half-a-million dollars have been invested in new change rooms and amenities at Chermside’s Burringbar Park Hockey Facility for the Palaszczuk Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

Member for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan said the $495,000 project had helped with a pipeline of work for local tradies.

“For plumbers, tilers and builders, the change rooms for players and conveniences for spectators have supported more than ten jobs for our Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Originally known as Hamilton Road Reserve, Burringbar takes its name from an Indigenous word related to the ‘clashing of sticks’, and for more than four decades has been the Northside’s home of hockey. 

“The new change rooms will be welcomed by local and visiting players and drive the growth of hockey on the Northside.

“We know quality, female-friendly change facilities like this are critical to encouraging more girls and women to get involved in sport, stick with it, and stay active for our community’s Covid-19 recovery.

“The hockey clubs who call Burringbar Park home have an exciting future ahead of them.”  

New amenities at Burringbar Park Hockey Facility include change rooms and showers for players, a parents’ room, and public conveniences for spectators.

Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the amenities had been delivered through the Active Community Infrastructure Fund.

“The new amenities block has been built on the Burringbar Park Hockey Facility’s second playing field to help boost playing capacity,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“It means both playing fields have their own change rooms and showers, so players won’t need to wait around to get cleaned up and changed after a game.   

“Our Activate! Queensland strategy is designed to support community clubs to provide new and upgraded facilities like change rooms to get more Queenslanders on the team.

“We know physical activity improves health and being on the team enhances mental and social wellbeing.

“Growing community sport will help identify talented young Queenslanders with elite playing potential in the lead up to Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“But you don’t need to be an elite player to get involved, we’ll also need plenty of volunteers with a solid knowledge of hockey for Brisbane 2032.”          

Throughout the season, the Burringbar Park Hockey Facility hosts a healthy percentage of the more than 18,000 players in Queensland across club, state and school competitions.

Burringbar Park is run by the Brisbane Hockey Management Group, a joint initiative of the Brisbane Hockey Association Inc, the Brisbane Women's Hockey Association Inc, and Kedron Wavell Services Hockey Club Inc.

President Greg Swann said the completion of the facilities was a welcome new addition to their hockey centre.

“Previously players on the second field did not have their own change rooms, which meant that they would need to wait to access the only change rooms on site. The new facilities will also provide additional toilets for visitors to the park and parents change room facilities,” Mr Swann said

“Having this second block will be a huge benefit to Brisbane hockey players and their supporters and will mean we will also be able to extend our competition opportunities.

“As a volunteer organisation we are extremely appreciative of the Queensland Government for their support and investment in making this happen.

“We also appreciate the professional support provided by Sport and Recreation Queensland throughout the project.”

Media: 0427 475 089.

**Pic of Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, Member for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan, and Redcliffe Dolphins players can be downloaded here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zozpqxiiconk3u1/Minister%20Hinchliffe%20%20Jimmy%20Sullivan%20and%20Redcliffe%20Dolphins.jpg?dl=0