Qld govt to invest $1m into Toowoomba athletics centre at UniSQ with tartan track
Toowoomba's Olympic dreams are being realised, with a $1m commitment for a world-class athletics centre that will stop local talent from having to relocate to Brisbane.
Toowoomba will soon be home to a world-class tartan track and athletics centre to not only keep a generation of local rising stars close to home, but also attract nations to base their athletes for training ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Treasurer David Janetzki revealed on Monday the Queensland government would commit $1m towards a new international-standard athletics field and associated infrastructure at the University of Southern Queensland’s grounds.
The investment is a major win for The Chronicle, which led the campaign to secure funding for a tartan track ahead of News Corp’s Bush Summit event in Toowoomba today.
The Garden City is currently underserviced for high quality and publicly-available sporting tracks, with The Chronicle’s reporting revealing the dangers and obstacles facing young athletes by using public grass fields like the O’Quinn Street Park in Harristown.
Darling Downs Athletics Club coach Jackie Gallagher called the oval “incredibly dangerous”, noting athletes were constantly dodging drug paraphernalia and dangerous divots at the venue.
Leading Toowoomba sprinters like Jai Gordon say young athletes are currently forced to either travel or relocate to Brisbane if they want to pursue a career in sport.
Mr Janetzki said the commitment, which comes from the government’s GamesOn! fund as part of 2032 Olympic funding, would support the detailed design of an athletic centre at the university’s campus in Darling Heights.
“UniSQ is the perfect location to advance this opportunity given the proximity of the Clive Berghofer Centre, the International Tennis Centre and existing sporting fields to develop a high functioning sport precinct,” he said.
“Brisbane 2032 is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver infrastructure and grassroots sports legacy to benefit our state and I’m determined to ensure the Darling Downs region reaps the rewards.
“It was a privilege to be at the heart of the decision to bring the Games to Toowoomba with the building of the equestrian centre and this announcement now offers additional community infrastructure opportunities.”
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Toowoomba athletics coach Jackie Gallagher said rising stars with dreams of Olympic gold would soon have a facility in their own backyard.
“Toowoomba is desperate for a tartan track facility — it’s not only vital for our athletes but also the breadth of the associated sport and health industry,” she said.
“A track at our university ensures our athletes don’t need to relocate and gives Toowoomba the opportunity to excel in delivering the sport sciences, as it will attract research studies, practitioners, coaches, aspiring athletes and support the already high standard of athletes we produce.”
Sprinter Jai Gordon called the upcoming facility the “missing piece of the puzzle”.
“This investment means a lot and will undoubtedly empower regional athletes, coaches and the wider community,” Gordon said.
“Not only is this going to provide a suitable facility for Toowoomba athletes to perform at their best, but I’m confident it will leave a lasting legacy for the Darling Downs.”
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The planned athletics centre at UniSQ would be more than just a tartan running circle — it would be a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the Darling Downs.
Aside from its demonstrable benefits for rising athletes, industry sources also pointed to how quality training facilities attached to the track would entice visiting nations to base their teams in one of Queensland’s most liveable cities.
An example that Toowoomba could emulate is the recently-opened $16m Mudgee Team Training Village in the small town in NSW, which includes a high-performance gym, accommodation facilities, recovery pools, seminar rooms and relaxation amenities.
The MTTV is owned by the local council and used by visiting athletes as well as the community, with the Penrith Panthers using it this week ahead of its match against the Canberra Raiders.
UniSQ was identified as the best location to host these facilities, given its potential links to research and education and given the challenges and delays facing the Toowoomba Regional Council’s planned sports precinct at Charlton.
It is believed the government is excited by the university’s ability to partner with community groups as well as state and national sporting bodies.
University chancellor Dr John McVeigh said the institution recognised how important Toowoomba’s new athletics centre would be to the city’s growth.
“UniSQ is proud to partner with the state government to provide our community with
new opportunities and play a role in Queensland’s once-in-a-lifetime journey to the
Brisbane Olympics,” he said.
“By responding to growing demand for sport, health, and fitness opportunities, this
investment will ensure UniSQ offers a world-class facility that strengthens both athlete
development and our education and research in health and wellbeing as well as in sport
and exercise science.”
Originally published as Qld govt to invest $1m into Toowoomba athletics centre at UniSQ with tartan track
