New Carseldine sport precinct is ‘game changing’

A new $6.5 million sport precinct in Brisbane North will be a game changer, according to the clubs who will jointly manage the facility.

David Stagg (Aspley ‘Devils’ Rugby League Football Club), Keane White (Bracken Ridge District Cricket Club) and Stephen Buckley (Aspley Devils) with Member for Aspley Bart Mellish at the new Carseldine sport precinct.

THE new $6.5 million sport precinct at Carseldine will be a game changer, according to the clubs who will jointly manage the facility.

The precinct, which forms the first part of the Carseldine Urban Village redevelopment, is almost complete and is expected to open in January.

It will have three soccer/rugby league fields, a cricket pitch and practice cages, two tennis courts, a half basketball court, exercise equipment, children’s playgrounds, barbecue areas, amenities and dressing sheds.

A plan from the Carseldine Urban Village Queensland Government development application, showing the sport and recreation precinct, Stage S (bottom right).

Aspley ‘Devils’ Rugby League Football Club, Bracken Ridge District Cricket Club and Baptist Football Queensland are close to finalising an agreement on the use and management of the precinct.

The cricket club will use it for matches during summer. In winter Baptist Football will use it for soccer training during the week and games at weekends, and Aspley Devils will use it for junior training nights and gala days during the week.

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Following an inspection of the facilities, cricket club treasurer Keane White said they were “fantastic”.

“We’re so excited to be playing cricket there in the new year,” he said.

Mr White said there were many benefits for the club, which is based at McPherson Park.

“At the moment we’ve only got one ground and we’ve got five sides. Our guys are playing away from home a lot.

“Having this new precinct means there will be a lot more home matches for our side.

“This will be a big boost for our recruiting as a lot of people give cricket away because we’re travelling so much.”

Mr White said the new venue would also allow the club to hold junior matches in the morning, give McPherson Park a rest, and would free up the park for weekend competitions by Bracken Ridge Little Athletics.

An artist’s impression of the Carseldine Urban Village – Stage 1 will start once the sport precinct is complete. Source: Queensland Government

Baptist Football Queensland vice president and Bridgey Football Club president Grant Newsome said he had seen the fields and they were “excellent”.

“It’s going to be a first class facility,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s anywhere in south east Queensland quite like this in terms of what it offers.”

Mr Newsome said the club had spent the past year training and playing at other fields but had previously trained at Carseldine for about 30 years and played there about seven.

“The previous field were terrible,” he said.

“They were dangerous. There were a lot of potholes and undulations. We had a number of ankle injuries and a few breaks playing on those fields.

“We’re very excited about the new fields.”

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Aspley Devils president Stephen Buckley said the opportunity for the club to access the fields for junior training was “awesome”.

“It’s game changing. The kids will be able to train properly, with more space to teach them the basics,” he said.

The club currently trains on fields at Kirby Rd, Aspley and O’Callaghan Park, Zillmere.

“We have 28 junior sides and about 450 kids and at the moment we manage it tightly,” Mr Buckley said

“We’re trying to squeeze six teams onto one field, which doesn’t give the coaches and their players enough space to train properly.”

The Devils will also use the fields for gala days held in association with the Brisbane Broncos about four times a year.

An artist’s impression of Carseldine Urban Village. Source: Queensland Government

Member for Aspley said the new facilities would be a great boost for many on the northside.

“Whether you play rugby league, cricket, soccer, tennis, volleyball or even basketball, there will be something for you at the new precinct,” he said.

“We’ve worked closely with local sporting clubs who expressed an interest in the project, to make sure we’ve also got change room facilities, public toilets, adequate storage for equipment and even room for a canteen

“Additionally, the new playground and barbecue area will be a great place for local families to gather.

“I commend the work of Aspley Devils, Bracken Ridge Cricket Club and Bridgey FC who have advised and worked closely with the government to help us deliver a great facility.”

Mr Keane said the Carseldine precinct “is really going to be game changing for that area”.

“There’s nothing like that in that community, even just the playground and the amenities for the little kids. There are also 200 car parks. It’s going to be fantastic for the area.”

Construction of the sport and recreation precinct, Stage S, began in November 2018. Once it is completed, work will start on Stage 1 of the Carseldine Urban Village.

This will include the creation of an entry boulevard into the precinct and the subdivision of three master lots.

It also includes intersection upgrades at Zillmere Rd and Dorville Rd, at the Beams Rd and Dorville Rd roundabout, and the Carseldine Station park ’n’ ride entry on Beams Rd.

The Carseldine Urban Village project includes the construction of 900 homes, and commercial and retail space, and is expected to be completed in four stages over four to six years.