Ipswich State High School’s new synthetic soccer pitch will be used by local clubs, community groups

Local clubs are eyeing off the ‘first-class’ all-weather facility, which can be split up to accommodate multiple games.

Players get to work on an all-weather synthetic sports field which opened in Fairfield, Sydney last year. Ipswich’s first synthetic soccer pitch is being built at Ipswich State High School.

IPSWICH’S first synthetic soccer field is set to be ready for action within the next three months with local clubs eyeing off the “first-class” all-weather facility.

It is being built at a cost of $1.48 million at Ipswich State High School and funded by the state government.

Principal Simon Riley said the facility would be a boost to the school’s developing soccer program and the wider sporting community.

Construction of the synthetic soccer pitch at Ipswich State High School in early June.

The cost is split almost down the middle between the Department of Education and the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport.

Ipswich West MP Jim Madden said it will be the only synthetic soccer pitch to be built in Queensland west of the facility at University of Queensland campus at St Lucia.

Mr Madden said a memorandum of understanding had been signed with the Ipswich Knights and the Ipswich Bulls for them to use the pitch.

A Department of Education spokesperson said it is on track to be finished in September.

“Following completion we will have a full-sized soccer pitch, with two pitches suitable for juniors up to under 10s also marked cross wise,” Mr Riley said.

“There will be one full, four lane at least, running track bend and approximately 50 metres of straight running track also marked.

“There is a big push in education to make sure that school facilities are available to the community, and we already have strong connections in this space.

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“The department also wanted to see how a large astroturf space would be used in a big school and there was an opportunity to partner the funding with the Department of Sport, so this is a joint venture.

“It’s probably fair to say that we are a trial school for this kind of project, but very happy to lead the way again.”

For teaching purposes it will generally be used by three classes at once, but could be more depending on the activity.

The school has about 2000 students enrolled this year with space tight when kids are on lunch breaks.

“This is not designed to cater for an increase in student numbers, but to enhance the developing soccer program and enable us to play competition matches on our grounds rather than using the Bulls pitches,” Mr Riley said.

Ipswich State High School principal Simon Riley.

“It also provides a first-class training facility for hiring by local clubs and maybe hosting primary school competitions.”

The facility will be able to be hired by clubs or community groups in the evenings and on weekends and holidays.

The pitches could be divided further to host futsal games.

Funding for lightning in order to play games at night was not included in the initial construction and it is understood it won’t be covered by the school or the department.

Securing money to install lights will need to come from elsewhere; likely Ipswich City Council or local clubs.

“The school community welcomes this exciting investment in educational infrastructure, which will provide new and improved football sport pitches, catering for one full size football game or two half-size football games at a time,” a Department of Education spokesperson said.

“The new facility will accommodate up to two teams participating in sporting activities simultaneously.

“Work commenced on site in May 2021.”

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.