New $3.425 million clubhouse being built at Ashgrove

Rugby Union and Cricket are set for a new home at Ashgrove with work starting on a new $3.425 million clubhouse at Ashgrove Sports Ground.

Member for Cooper Jonty Bush said the new clubhouse, along with refurbishments to the current clubhouse, were part of a $2.4 million Palaszczuk Government election commitment.  

“I’m excited to get the ball rolling on this Palaszczuk Government election commitment for two of the most historic and prolific sporting clubs in Australia – GPS Rugby Club and Valley District Cricket Club,” Ms Bush said.

“Both clubs can trace their history back to pre-1900 and they collectively have nearly 3000 players so these new facilities will be very well utilised.

“The new clubhouse will include a gymnasium, strength and conditioning centre, female change rooms, amenities, merchandise shop, medical room, referee’s room, storage, public toilets, office space and meeting room.

“In addition, the existing clubhouse will be extended and renovated so there will be more space for functions, storage and administration.

“These facilities will especially cater to the rapidly growing popularity of women and girls in cricket and rugby union and serve the community well for generations to come.”

The clubhouse is being built by ATG Projects and Project Managed by COHA Group, with completion due around the end of 2022.

Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said sharing quality new facilities between sports allowed more community members to enjoy the benefits.

“When we build new facilities, we are looking for them to get year-round use, amongst multiple sports, and be female-friendly,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“This new clubhouse will make the playing experience better for so many cricketers and rugby players, and allows both clubs to have more effective meetings, fundraising and social events.

“Encouraging more Queenslanders stay active and healthy is ultimately what we are about, and this project will help to do that.”

GPS Rugby Club General Manager Anthony Herbert said the renovations will make a big difference to the club’s 1300 players.

“There is a lot of excitement around the club with the start of this crucial upgrade of the facilities,” said Mr Herbert.

“In addition to our 950 juniors and 11 senior teams we have a girl’s touch competition as well as a girl’s sevens program and an all-abilities program for young boys and girls that will all continue to grow as we improve our facilities.

“Without the great support of state and local governments this project would not have been possible and for that we say a huge thanks.”

Valley District Cricket Club General Manager Matthew Walter said the club’s 1599 players including 269 seniors, 1371 juniors and 167 female players across 18 senior teams and 130 junior teams are extremely excited about the prospect of work starting.

In addition to the clubhouse facility the cricket club also received $100 000 to upgrade cricket practice nets and this work has already been completed.

“This facility is something that will be desired across cricket in Queensland but more importantly it provides facilities to our members and visiting clubs that currently aren’t available,” said Mr Walter.

“We will now have change room facilities for our players on Field 3 which hosts dozens of male, female, junior and senior fixtures throughout the season, an updated umpire’s change room and a facelift to the function room which is desperately needed.

“The opportunities that it provides to the club are fantastic and most importantly it will be a facility that our members, the local community and state government can be proud of.”

The clubhouse project is being funded through a Palaszczuk Government election commitment ($2.4 million), Brisbane City Council ($500,000), GPS Rugby Club ($400,000) and Valley District Cricket Club ($125,000).

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