Ballymore redevelopment kicks off
The first construction works on an Olympic venue are underway with the $31.5 million Ballymore National Rugby Training Centre and new McLean Stand.
It’s the first stage of a sweeping revamp of the famous Herston site that includes plans for swimming and sport climbing facilities to help build the next generation of Olympic athletes across multiple sports.
Ballymore has already been earmarked as hockey venue in Brisbane 2032 and could come into play as a training base for teams leading into the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2027 Rugby World Cup where Australia has been named the preferred candidate.
The rebirth of Ballymore will feature a new 3010-seat integrated grandstand with modern corporate facilities, a 700 square-metre gym, player rehabilitation area, 75-seat auditorium, 120-seat function room, change rooms and offices.
The National Rugby Training Centre will be the headquarters for the Australian Women’s rugby team – the Wallaroos, and an elite training centre for the Reds men’s and women’s teams and the Reds Academy.
The works are being jointly funded by the Queensland Government and Federal Government, built by Buildcorp, supporting approximately 100 full-time construction jobs, with completion by early 2023.